"'Blessed be the God in heaven who has brought us over this vast and furious ocean,' he prayed, 'You have delivered us from the perils and miseries at sea and set our feet on firm and stable ground--our proper place to dwell. For this we thank You and bless You.'" So many versions of the First Thanksgiving are told today! With Thanksgiving coming soon, we thought we'd bypass others' opinions and go right to the original source. To do this we learned all about the central figure that made it all possible - William Bradford. As a major driving force behind the escape to Holland, the decision to seek religious freedom in the New World, finding financial backers for their venture, determining the exact location for their colony, building peaceful relations with the local Indians and keeping everyone alive for the first 3 years, Bradford played THE biggest role in making the Plymouth Plantation a key part in America's eventual success.  In this podcast, you'll hear about the tremendous number of losses he experienced as a young boy, his phenomenal education and spiritual preparation, his personal sacrifices, and the exceptional leadership he provided as Plymouth's governor for 36 years. Make sure to share this story with all you love so they can appreciate with heartfelt gratitude this Thanksgiving the rich heritage they've been given. Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast.  0:43  Update on hard copies of The Mission Driven Life book, Podcasts, and Cottage Meetings 6:00  William Bradford's early years 9:40  Bradford's education 11:55  King James' reforms and Puritanism  14:35  Bradford tries out Puritanism 16:30  Bradford's attempts to escape 18:54  Conditions in Holland 21:28  The decision to move to the New World and the search for investors 25:35  Merchant Adventurers change the deal and they sail to America 29:55  The Mayflower Compact and the first prayer 35:00  Samoset and Squanto arrive and help the Puritans 38:00  Plymouth colony and Massasoit sign a peace treaty, the "First Thanksgiving" 40:11  Merchant Adventurers make things harder 42:40  Principles Bradford honored and led with Quotes from this episode: *All quotes from William Bradford, Plymouth's Rock by Janet and Geoff Benge and Of Plymouth Plantation: The Pilgrims in America by William Bradford "Williams was a good student and soon mastered reading, writing, and arithmetic. Most of all, he enjoyed reading, in particular, one book his tutor loaned him, Foxe's Book of Martyrs." "Tears ran down the faces of the Separatist men as they looked back in horror, realizing that their wives and children and their fellow Separatist men were being left behind and they were helpless to do anything about it." "It was challenging to feed and clothe everyone...everyone had to work hard to raise the money needed to survive. Even the children, some as young as four years old, had to work...The truth was, if a family could not make enough money, they were in danger of starving to death...A number of people lived in cramped quarters, where disease was a constant threat. Several children had died, including the Brewsters' new baby. Many families worked with linen, and over the years, tiny, wiry flax fibers had lodged in their lungs, making it hard to breathe." Mayflower Compact: "In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereigne Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc. having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northerne parts o...

I can't believe I'd never heard of this author before now! She was as popular as Pearl S. Buck, Stephen Crane and Edith Wharton, at times even outselling them! Every one of her novels made it onto the bestsellers lists across the nation and received raving reviews from critics.

YET, after 20+ years of hunting good books, I just recently learned of this author, her amazing books, her huge influence, her outstanding character, and her inspiring life.

Join me as we walk through the life and writings of one of America's greatest authors: Bess Streeter Aldrich!

Get Your FREE "Truth Seekers Starter Kit": https://www.audreyrindlisbacher.com/

"I feel the sustaining presence of the Savior and a deep sense of calm." ~Sharidean Flint

One year ago, my sister was healthy and happy —as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, neighbor, and community leader. If you were part of our community then you probably watched or listened to an interview I did with her about her childhood, motherhood, and path to becoming the first woman mayor of Hyde Park city. We discussed her challenges, hardships, and the difficulties she’d overcome in her life. I also made sure to highlight how she lived the 7 Laws of Life Mission and the way in which they prepared her to become an amazing source of love and inspiration to those around her. Since our interview, Sharidean had continued to do all the good of which she was capable, serving others in her fun-loving way. Then, at the end of January, intense migraines began. Within two weeks she had brain surgery and was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Almost from the moment she was diagnosed I felt that I needed to share with you what I saw, heard, and experienced, so that, along with her family, friends, and community, you could be lifted by the legacy she has left.

This podcast is the rest of her story.

(P.S. When I went in to create the image for the podcast, I was going to post a picture of us together or of her with her family. But then I visited her Facebook page and noticed that I hadn't seen her newest profile picture. I've used that picture here. The image and words are what she created -- a powerful, faithful message which demonstrates all she stood for.)

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

1:20 - MDM Updates

6:30 - Sharidean Update

15:39 - Sharidean's fear is replaced with profound peace

29:30 - Love between Sharidean & her husband Kevin

31:13 - Outpouring of love from the community 

38:47 - Sharidean's letter to the city

Quotes from this episode:

"She went through a lot of really hard things in her life. And she used those hard things to drive her faith deeper." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

"I feel the sustaining presence of the Savior and a deep sense of calm. I feel His love and your love." ~Sharidean Flint

Links from this episode: 

"I enjoyed this podcast immensely. I could relate on so many levels. It mirrored many of my own experiences and has encouraged me to remain courageous as I fill my own missions." ~Mary Ann Johnson  Have you ever wanted to peek in the window of a successful and influential mom and see what her day looks like, what struggles she faces, and how she overcomes obstacles in pursuit of a mission driven life? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! Sharidean Flint has been married to her sweetheart 42 years, is the mother of 5 kids, and the current MAYOR of Hyde Park! Her years of sacrifice to stay home with her small children, her self-education in the classics and her courage to move forward on inspiration she received to lead others, even when she was terrified! Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast.  1:07      Childhood 7:26      The Teen Years 13:48    Marriage and Family 15:54    Religion - My Anchor 20:56   From Mothering to Mayor 30:06   Learning to be a Leader 35:31    The Gifts that Helped Me Lead 37:00   How Much to Sacrifice 42:54   How to Filter the News 47:00   COVID and the Constitution 49:46   My Message 56:48   Her Advice Quotes from this episode: “We accepted that life was dangerous. It's just the way it was. Kids today live such sheltered lives. It's harder for mothers and kids today." ~Sharidean Flint “I had such freedom as a child. It gave me a sense of confidence." ~Sharidean Flint “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. " ~Napoleon Hill “I went to a new school about every year. I learned to get in and make a friend quickly. I became very good at making friends.” ~Sharidean Flint On learning to read -“I thought, 'This is the most fantastic thing!'” ~Sharidean Flint “When you read a lot it broadens your world, increases your knowledge, and gives you a great vocabulary. You become a larger person because you have more experiences than just your own.” ~Sharidean Flint On reading great books - “When you read, you will learn morals, either good morals or bad morals.” ~Sharidean Flint On being a stay-at-home mother - “We are home in the trenches. But men are in their own trench. It's a heavy load.” ~Sharidean Flint On being a stay-at-home mother - “I have no regrets. I don't look back. I made a lot of mistakes but I was there!” ~Sharidean Flint On needing help to run her campaign for city council - “I know someone who knows everything. I know God. I'll just ask Him.” ~Sharidean Flint “You can't control and lead others if you can't control yourself.” ~Sharidean Flint “If I get too responsible for too long it makes me grumpy. I have to have some fun.” ~Sharidean Flint “If it's never happened before in Hyde Park or in the history of the world, it's going to happen while I am mayor! ~Sharidean Flint “I stayed home not because its what my church expected of me, not because it's what my husband said I had to do. It wasn't because society said I couldn't do anything else. I stayed home because I wanted to be a mom. I didn't finish my degree, and now I am a mayor. BUT being a mom is the most important thing I have done with my life.” ~Sharidean Flint “As we are telling young girls how important it is to get an education, can we at least consider being moms as equally important?” ~Sharidean Flint “Women can have it all, just not at the same time.” ~Phyllis Schlafly “Enjoy whatever time you are in.” ~Sharidean Flint Books from this episode:   Links from this episode:

"From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom. This good spirit was from God, and to him, I offer thanksgiving and praise." ~Frederick Douglass  From his childhood, though burdened down by incredible oppression, this inner belief that he could someday, somehow overcome slavery was a light and hope that Douglass nurtured. The incredible circumstances which led to a chance opportunity to begin learning to read, and the perseverance and tenacity he demonstrated in becoming literate, are remarkable. With little more than his faith in God and his determination, Douglass conquered reading and it transformed his life. Empowered with this new skill, the world was now open to him and he saw the circumstances of slavery for what they really were.  Once mentally liberated himself, he longed for his brothers and sisters in slavery to experience the same freedom. Compassion and deep love led him to teach his fellow slaves to read--whoever was willing to learn--and to lead them in worshipping the God he knew was aiding them. Yet, although surrounded by loving friends, it eventually became clear to Douglass that he could no longer live the life of a slave. He must escape or die.  Join Audrey this week as she shares the terrible hardships of Douglass' young life and the triumphant heights he rose to--aiding in the freeing of other slaves, consulting with authors and a U.S. President, sacrificing everything to make the world a better place. His story truly teaches us that when we love God and seek truth, we can be lifted from any oppression, and truly set free. Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast.  1:36      Birth and Early Years 4:44     The Master - Colonel Edward Lloyd 7:59      The Overseer - Mr. Gore 9:27      Learning to Read 11:47    Self-education 15:50    Frederick Douglass and the Foundational Laws 19:12    The Columbian Orator 22:22    Breaking the Slave 26:37    A Moment of Resolve 36:52    Teaching Slaves to Read 38:25    Attempt at Freedom 43:00    A Miracle - Learning a Trade 46:49    Final Escape 50:00    New Bedford 52:21     Summary of the Rest of His Life Quotes from this episode: “I did not, when a slave, understand the deep meaning of those rude and apparently incoherent songs. They told a tale of woe which was then altogether beyond my feeble comprehension; they were tones loud, long, and deep; they breathed the prayer and complaint of souls boiling over with the bitterest anguish. Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains." ~Frederick Douglass “And here I saw what I had never seen before; it was a white face beaming with the most kindly emotions; it was the face of my new mistress, Sophia Auld. I wish I could describe the rapture that flashed through my soul as I beheld it. " ~Frederick Douglass “Mr. Auld found out what was going on, and at once forbade Mrs. Auld to instruct me further, telling her, among other things, that it was unlawful, as well as unsafe, to teach a slave to read. To use his own words, further, he said, 'If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master—to do as he is told to do. Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world. Now,' said he, 'if you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave.

Although feminism can seem like a good thing, and definitely attempted to make things better for women in several ways, the real story behind feminism is seldom told. Like an iceberg, the true story of modern feminism has a lot more below the surface than most of us see above it. As in everything that's truly important, glancing at the tip of the iceberg will NOT give us real understanding. Getting to the bottom of things is critical, and understanding the iceberg all the way to the bottom enables us to really see the matter for what it truly is. Only then can we make an informed decision about what feminism is. Only then can do we know if and how we should support it. Join Audrey this week as she gets to the bottom of modern feminism - bringing clarity to its founders, its founding book The Feminine Mystique and its author Betty Friedan - showing their crucial role in changing the way Americans think about women.  Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast.  3:30     Marilyn French 5:38     The Book - The Feminine Mystique 9:27      Who Was Betty Friedan & Why It Matters 11:40    Smith College - The Making of a Worldview 17:50    Highlander Folk School and the Changing of Institutions 19:14    UC Berkley  & Union Journalist 20:33   Standing for Issues & early writings on Women's Issues 24:04   The Real Story Behind The Feminine Mystique 25:08   Authors Who Influenced Betty Friedan 29:10    Simone de Beauvoir & Frederich Engels 34:30   Did It Work? 37:55    Girls in the '50s and '60s - Film and Magazines 39:16    Conscious Raising and The Feminine Mystique 42:40   Anne Oakley 43:34    The Demands 44:22    What Audrey Learned Quotes from this episode: “...my father's individualism and pagan ethical standards were in complete contrast to the rigidly moral conventionalism of my mother's teaching. This disequilibrium, which made my life a kind of endless disputation, is the main reason why I became an intellectual.”~Simone de Beauvoir “Feminism is my religion. I wouldn't know how to think without it." ~Marilyn French “The story of her life, which she has told and which has been popularly accepted, is that she awoke to the woman problem in the late ’50s and early ’60s and was totally unaware of it previously...All sources agree that Friedan’s feminism emerged solely from her research for the Feminist Mystique.” ~Daniel Horowitz “...married in 1947 (true) and for almost the next 20 years, lived the life of a conventional suburban housewife and mother (not true).” ~Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography 1995 “Success of the book was due in large measure (6000 copies to millions) to its claim that it spoke to and from experiences of a suburban housewife in the 1950’s.” ~Daniel Horowitz “Men, there is something cooking in your kitchens. Women are waking up to the fact that they can produce things other than babies.” ~Betty Friedan “The liberation of women will only come when they enter the workforce.” ~Frederich Engels “This is not a story of how one woman came to consciousness about her role as a housewife. It is about a national movement with many people involved, of which she was a part.” ~Daniel Horowitz  “There are three political statements that point the way to the liberation of housewives: The housewife role must be abolished, the family must be abolished, gender roles must be abolished.” ~Anne Oakley “What we didn’t think through was how else we were to bring up children.”  “She changed the course of history almost singlehandedly. It took a driven, super-aggressive, egocentric, almost lunatic dynamo to rock the world the way she did.

“Truth is the only safe ground to stand upon.” ~Elizabeth Cady Stanton As women in America were extended more and more opportunities for higher education, there arose a group of educated, middle class women who felt strongly about the need for women's suffrage. For Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the right for women to vote was simple, clear and vital. She dedicated her life to raising her 7 children, and putting in whatever work was necessary to see suffrage for women realized. She, and other key figures like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul played important roles in this fight.  In the meantime, other women like Jane Addams, Dorothea Dix, and Florence Kelly were working for the poorer and ignorant classes to improve their living conditions and opportunities. As part of an attempt to improve the conditions of the lower class, Margaret Sanger, a trained nurse, felt that birth control was the best answer. Control the population, she believed, and give the women the ability to choose when they have children, and living conditions, jobs and wages would improve for all. She devoted herself and all her energy to realizing this ambition--founding the first Planned Parenthood clinics and forming the group of  philanthropists, doctors and scientists who would develop the first birth control pill.  In this podcast, Audrey sweeps across the history of women's issues in the last two centuries. She quickly covers key events, people and issues to create a backdrop for the modern Feminist movement that defines the way women think and talk about themselves today. Tune in next month when Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique take hold in the minds of women across the U.S. and change the framework of relations between men and women forever! Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast.  2:00      The Vote - The Next Big Thing After Education 7:30      Elizabeth Cady Stanton - First Public Figure in American Suffrage 8:47      Susan B. Anthony 10:33    The Woman's Bible: A Classic Feminist Perspective 11:25     Alice Paul 14:09    The National Women's Party 18:28    The Woman's Era 20:53    Florence Kelly 22:48    Margaret Sanger - Birth Control 26:46    Margaret Sanger's Reasons for Birth Control 29:45    Planned Parenthood 33:47    Margaret Sanger's Reasons for Birth Control 35:05    Margaret Sanger's Personal Life 37:39    The Mike Wallace Interview 41:47    Roe vs Wade Quotes from this episode: “To live for a principle, for the triumph of some reform by which all mankind are to be lifted up—to be wedded to an idea—maybe, after all, the holiest and happiest of marriages.” ~Elizabeth Cady Stanton “I would have girls regard themselves not as adjectives, but as nouns.” ~Elizabeth Cady Stanton “Truth is the only safe ground to stand upon.” ~Elizabeth Cady Stanton “The best protection any woman can have ... is courage. ” ~Elizabeth Cady Stanton “The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls. Every truth we see is ours to give the world, not to keep for ourselves alone, for in so doing we cheat humanity out of their rights and check our own development.” ~Elizabeth Cady Stanton “To think I have had more than 60 years of hard struggle for a little liberty, and then to die without it seems so cruel.” ~Susan B. Anthony “I do not demand equal pay for any women save those who do equal work in value. Scorn to be coddled by your employers; make them understand that you are in their service as workers, not as women.”  ~Susan B.

“When we understand rights clearly, then we don't need to be feminists or non-feminists. We don't need to stand in anyone's camp; we can stand on truth.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher  As we move forward in time, and the freedom of women in the West expands, we see a new movement to extend greater educational opportunities to women. The voices for this advancement increased until eventually the majority of women were not only literate but had access to traditional schools and education.  But upon what does the the idea of expanded education rest for women? Rights! It is because women are also human, because they share reason and intellect with men, that they can claim not the privilege but the right to receive as much as education as they can.  That's why in this podcast we pause to introduce the origin of rights and their importance in the question of women and feminism. Once understand, the rest of the rights of women follow.  Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast.  3:35      A discussion on 'Rights' 6:09     Magna Charta 8:13      Lysander Spooner 9:42      A discussion of duty 10:55   Four Main Rights 14:05   The education of women - Daniel Defoe 23:54   Mary Wollstonecraft 28:33   Key ideas of feminism pre-WWII Quotes from this episode: “I plead not for myself but for my sex. My own personal wants, anyway, amount to very little. For many years I have regarded independence as the great blessing of life, the basis of every virtue; and even if I end up living on a barren heath, I will always guarantee my independence by contracting my wants." ~Mary Wollstonecraft “I do not wish them [women] to have power over men, but over themselves.” ~Mary Wollstonecraft “Fighting for the rights of women, my main argument is built on this simple principle: If woman isn’t fitted by education to become man’s companion, she will stop the progress of knowledge, because truth must be common to all; if it isn’t, it won’t be able to influence how people in general behave. And how can woman be expected to cooperate if she doesn’t know why she ought to be virtuous; if freedom doesn’t strengthen her reason until she understands her duty and sees how it is connected with her real good? If children are to be brought up to understand the true principle of patriotism, their mother must be a patriot.” ~Mary Wollstonecraft “Surely, sir, you won’t say that a duty can be binding without being founded on reason! Arguments for civil and political rights can be drawn from reason; and with that splendid support, the more understanding women acquire the more they will be attached to their duty, understanding it. Unless they understand it—unless their morals are based on the same immutable principles as those of man—no authority can make them act virtuously. ” ~Mary Wollstonecraft “If women aren’t permitted to enjoy legitimate rights, they will seek illicit privileges.” ~Mary Wollstonecraft “In the present state of society, it seems that we have to go back to first principles in search of the simplest truths, and to fight against some prevailing prejudice for every inch of ground.” ~Mary Wollstonecraft   “Only a strong mind can resolutely form its own principles.” ~Mary Wollstonecraft “I have often thought of it as one of the most barbarous customs in the world, considering us as a civilized and a Christian country, that we deny the advantages of learning to women. We reproach the sex every day with folly and impertinence; while I am confident, had they the advantages of education equal to us, they would be guilty of less than ourselves.” ~Daniel Defoe “But besides this, they should be taught languages,

“If every man in history had believed that women were inferior and should never be listened to, then these women would not have had the tremendous influence they did.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher Julian of Norwich wrote the earliest surviving book in the English language to be written by a woman. She challenged the notion of a God who wanted to damn mankind and put forth the idea of a God who loved like a mother loves.  Christine de Pizan was the first female professional writer of the Middle Ages and the first woman of letters in France.  During her own  journey to understand the true role of women, she asked God, "How can everything you create be good except women?" This opened the door to her discovery of womankind's real worth. Margery Kempe was a medieval mystic and author of the first autobiography in English. Today it is considered a classic of Medieval Literature. Her devotion and faith compelled her to dramatically change her way of thinking and living, which forced others to look more honestly at themselves.  Joan of Arc was a medieval peasant who, claiming to receive visions from God, turned the tide of the Hundred Years’ War in favor of a French victory. Her actions were so heroic, courageous and good that she continues to inspire people today. As you immerse yourself in four more stories of real women who had a lasting impact for good in the lives of thousands of people during the Middle Ages and who still impact lives today, you'll be inspired to overcome the obstacles in your own life and let your own light shine more brightly! Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast.  3:50      Julian of Norwich 5:38     Christine de Pizan 8:55     Christine de Pizan's struggle to understand women's worth 13:16    Christine de Pizan's 3 arguments for woman's equality with men 17:28    Margery Kempe 18:29   Joan of Arc Quotes from this episode: “One day I was sitting alone in my study surrounded by books on all kinds of subjects, devoting myself to literary studies, my usual habit, my mind dwelt at length on the weighty opinions of various authors whom I had studied for a long time...Thinking deeply about these matters, I began to examine my character and conduct as a natural woman and, similarly, I considered other women whose company I frequently kept…I could not see or realize how [the great men] claims could be true when compared to the natural behavior and character of women...[I concluded that] the man or the woman in whom resides greater virtue is the higher; neither the loftiness nor the sex, but in the perfection of conduct and virtues." ~Christine de Pizan, from The Book of the City of Ladies, 1405 “…moral education amends and ennobles [women]. How could anyone think or believe that whoever follows good teaching or doctrine is the worse for it? Thus, not all men (and especially the wisest) share the opinion that it is bad for women to be educated.” ~Christine de Pizan, from The Book of the City of Ladies, 1405 “Possibly the book may not sell, but that is nothing—it was written for love.” ~Mark Twain about his book Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc “Twain decided to publish the early serialized version of Joan of Arc anonymously so the book could be judged on its merits. His request for anonymity clearly shows the magnitude of his admiration for the character of Joan, and his high regard for her life story. Twain’s meticulous research—a true labor of love—spanned a dozen years, with an additional two years devoted to writing the work.” ~Mark Twain, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc “All will be well and every manner of thing will be well in spite of how circumstances might appear.” ~Julian of Norwich “It's not as if,

“It is shortsighted to say that feminism is a Biblical problem or that it is predominantly a Western  problem.”  ~Audrey Rindlisbacher Although most women in medieval times did not have the opportunity to utilize all of their gifts and talents , some amazing women were able to rise above their status and have a positive impact on society.  Here is your introduction to seven of them! Through learning their stories we are introduced to a different view of women in this time period. We see women leading in political positions, as artisans, through running organizations, as writers, and other capacities. We also come to see the reality that even in medieval times, there were men who respected women, believed in them and even followed them.   Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast.  3:50     Women's inferiority owing to the Bible and church refuted 7:45      What we know about Medieval women 10:58    Theodora of  Byzantium 12:35    Hilda, Abbess of Whitby 14:03    Ende the Illuminator 14:47    Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians 15:55    Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim 17:57    Hildegard of Bingen 19:07    Marie de France Quotes from this episode: “It is shortsighted to say that feminism is a Biblical problem or that it is predominantly a Western problem.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher “The middle class has always been the core of any thriving society. Men relied on their wives to raise children, run the household, help with businesses, and to work hard physically.  Men treated them more equally than in the higher levels of society.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher  Books from this episode: