The Tried & Truth Podcast: Rethinking Success for This Season

Shannan Martin joins us this week on the podcast to talk all about the real value of doing life with the people who live closest to us. 

Shannan is the author of Falling Free, The Ministry of Ordinary Places, and most recently, Start with Hello - all written around the central theme of “What does it look like to live in this world together?” and “Why does it even matter?”.  I like to think of Shannan as the expert neighbor you want to both “be” and “have”.  She helps you find joy and meaningful relationships in ordinary places like your own backyard.  In this episode, she shares more on the value in building community, a life of intention & interdependence, how to build truer friendships, why we need to learn to receive, what happens when we step out of our homogenous lifestyles and comfort zones, and what builds lasting connection and community. Shannan keeps things simple and practical (which we can all appreciate!).  

You'll walk away with: (1) the permission to abandon the idea that you have to be self-sufficient all the time (2) the encouragement to go first as you embrace the joy that comes from living “actual life” together with those around you, even in the messes and imperfections that it brings and (3) details on her famous pickle recipe. 

“Let’s live actual life together even in the messes or the imperfectness that it brings.” - Shannan Martin

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

[7:50] The value in getting to know the people “closest” to us. 

[9:30] The sense of security, rootedness, and belonging that we’re looking for 

[10:00] Finding more joy 

[11:00]  A practical tip 

[11:50] It’s not about the decor

[12:45] Less about Martha Stewart-ing, more about togetherness 

[15:00] How most of us are actually living (aka our “real” lives)

[16:08] Truer friendships

[17:13] We’re all busy. Make it easy. 

[19:06] Behind her books: answering big questions 

[21:20] Moving us forward in a life of connection

[22:40] Being intentional with opportunities 

[25:00] The abundant life vs. the comfortable life 

[26:50] Lesson learned: A posture of need

[31:20] Learning to receive 

[33:25] Guest perspective: What does success look like to you?

[36:13] A “love song for the long haul”

[39:36] Truths & Takeaways 

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Website: shannanmartin.com

Twitter: @shannanwrites

Instagram: @shannanwrites

Shannan’s books - Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted -- The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God’s Goodness all around You -- Start with Hello (and Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors) 

Shannan’s newsletter & pickle recipe :) - shannanmartin.com/resources

Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs joins us this week on the podcast and you’re gonna love this conversation (and her work even more!). 

“It was a lot of standing on my faith, being brave, defying fear, and doing hard things.” - Ginger 

As an award-winning interior designer (including HGTV’s 2021 Designer of the Year), book author, Instagram influencer, mom of five, and serial entrepreneur, her story is nothing short of amazing. It started during one of the most difficult times of her life battling cancer when she had a realization that you shouldn’t have to be fighting for your life to make the space you’re in beautiful. Through the transformation of her own space and surviving cancer, she began Urbanology Designs to inspire and help others elevate their homes’ beauty, comfort, and function. 

In this episode Ginger shares her perspective on obstacles, how she manages meaningful work both inside and outside of the home, a practical tip on creating a life-giving space, and some entrepreneurial insights on staying grounded and building a culture around your “why”. 

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

[2:05] Ginger’s story 

[4:25] Hold fast to what it means to have a healthy life 

[5:25] We need to women supporting other women

[6:26] The “unlikely start” of Urbanology Design 

[8:40] Leaning in to her surroundings 

[9:59] Transformation and realization

[11:10] “Ginger’s golden nugget” on obstacles 

[12:49] Standing on faith, being brave, defying fear and doing hard things 

[13:33] How have you stayed grounded and grounded your business?

[14:23] So much demands our attention

[17:00] One thing you can do for your home

[18:45] Don’t do everything at once

[20:08] Do not put something in your home that you like. 

[20:45] Your space is constantly competing - you can’t even see clearly

[21:19] Doing meaningful work at home & work 

[23:14] Don’t compare - your situation is a unique, God-given formula 

[23:33] God has given each one of us exactly what we need every single day to live with intentionality and purpose. 

[24:30] The “vision retreat” for your new year

[32:40] What do you wish you’d known sooner in your business? 

[37:44] Guest perspective: What does success look like to you? 

[39:47] There’s no growth in our comfort zone. 

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Site: Urbanology Designs 

Urbanology Cottage & Urban Fire House (Events)

Beauty by Design: Refreshing Spaces Inspired by What Matters Most 

Follow Ginger and Urbanology Designs on Instagram:

@urbanologydesigns

@urbanologycottage

@urbanfirehouse

This week, Wendy Speake joins us on the podcast and WHOA are you in for some encouragement (especially if you’re a mom).  Wendy has a way of meeting you right in the middle of your struggles, whether it’s anger, social media, or sugar!  As a Bible teacher and background as a trained actress, her stories and words will comfort, equip, and encourage you. 

In this episode, Wendy leaves us all feeling equipped and encouraged as we talk about the story behind a handful of her books including: The 40-Day Sugar Fast, The 40-Day Social Media Fast, The 40-Day Feast, Triggers, and Parenting Scripts. If those titles don’t say enough, we dive into topics such as “blaming and shaming”, self control when the kids are out of control, wisdom on how to choose our “yeses”, our role as our kids grow, and what to do when our kids feel a little (or a lot!) like sandpaper. 

Episode highlights: 

5:40 Behind the book - Triggers

9:50 Our tendency when our kids do wrong 

11:00 “Figure out what you mean to say before you say something mean” 

11:40 There’s something God wants to do in us FIRST.

12:36 Blaming and shaming

13:15 Training is long suffering

14:35 Everytime our kids do something wrong…

15:18 What topic/trigger has resonated most?

15:46 “YOU are not a victim, you’re a mom!” 

16:46  Self- control when our kids are out of control 

17:07  Sibling rivalry

19:10 Triggers are opportunities to parent 

22:14 You don’t stop having triggers…

22:43 If you don’t learn how to control your triggers now

23:09 Our job is to “hold the line”

24:18 When your kids feel like sandpaper…

26:23  We all want to love our kids well

31:10 The the social media fast 

37:55 ADVICE: You can’t do everything! 

38:20 “Don’t cry over spilled milk” is for the moms who are spread too thin 

45:55 Guest perspective - what does success look like to you?

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Mentioned in this episode: 

wendyspeake.com

Triggers: Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses

Parenting Scripts 

The 40-Day Sugar Fast (STARTS JANUARY 9TH)

The 40-Day Social Media Fast

The 40-Day Feast

Follow Wendy on Instagram @wendy_speake

Follow Wendy on Facebook @wendyjspeake  

It's a wrap! This year's final episode includes my favorite "truths and takeaways" from episodes this past year.  Thanks to all the guests, including entrepreneurs, authors, artists, coaches, therapists, change makers, mentors, and friends for sharing their stories and some of their greatest tips, encouragement, and lessons learned along the way. Let these practical and simple insights serve as a launching pad for your new year! 

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This week Josh Straub, co-founder of Famous at Home, joins us on the podcast. In this episode w/ Josh we’re talking all about what it means to be "famous at home" as he shares more from the latest book he and his wife, Christi, co-authored. We talk about the chase we’re all on, what gets in the way of what matters most, and how our chase often leaves us empty-handed and wanting more. You’ll be encouraged and challenged to shift your perspective on how you view “parenting” as Josh unpacks the research findings on how to get the outcomes we most desire out of our kids.  

“The greatest red carpet  you’ll ever walk is through your front door.” 

Josh is an author/co-author of multiple books, including children’s books, marriage and leadership coach, and podcast cohost w/ his wife, Christi. They both lead Famous at Home, a company that equips leaders, corporations, and families in emotional intelligence and relational connections.  

You can follow Josh & Christi on Instagram @famousathome and on Facebook @famousathome and at famousathome.com

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

[5:16] Paying attention to how we view our families

[6:00] What is the atmosphere of our home?

[7:40] What do you chase, what gets in the way, and what kingdom are you serving?

[9:01] The dopamine bump (not at home)

[10:35] We all have a chase (an “idol”)

[12:56] The greatest red carpet you’ll ever walk on

[15:46] What is it all REALLY about?

[17:14] “How do you help coach people to reground on where their true significance is?”

[18:32] Why we’re still left wanting when our pursuits are reached

[19:50] “You have to a purpose bigger than just accomplishing something.”

[22:48] God allows us to fumble in our chasing because…

[25:07] The relationship between how we feel loved and how we love at home

[26:02] "Parenting" vs. "Becoming" 

[26:21] Findings from a research study on how to get the outcomes we most desire out of our kids 

[29:48] A quick tip/the low hanging fruit

[32:47] Guest perspective: What does success look like to you?

[36:34] Truths & Takeaways

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Mentioned in this episode: 

Famous at Home: 7 Decisions to Put Your Family Center Stage in a World Competing for Your Time, Attention, and Identity

Additional Books by Josh & Christ to Help You and Your Kids Build Healthy, Emotionally Safe Relationships can be found here > www.famousathome.com/resources

What does it actually look like to authentically support one another and cultivate the relationships we actually want but don’t actually pursue? How can we live our best lives? How can we elevate performance in our businesses? What if today we don't have much to give today? 

We’re answering all of these questions (and more) in today’s conversation with Lara Burnside.  Lara has spent the last 25 years as a coach, speaker, leader in cultural transformation and excellence, and executive all over the country, and has been a personal mentor, friend, and boss over the course of the last decade. 

In this conversation, you’ll find some tried and true tips on becoming your best self (which in turns helps others become theirs), the encouragement to push aside ego and create a better impact right where you are, and lean into the grace and inspiration to become “better together”. 

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

5:42 The first thing we must do before we can give back to others

6:23 Creating elevated performance levels @ work

8:19 Start with “Who are you and what makes you tick?”

9:10 The 4 steps to living your “BEST” life 

10:52 Be “BOLD” enough to try something new 

11:35 Find the moments in life you “ENJOY”

12:36 Cultivate tremendous “SUPPORT” for each other 

13:41 Taking “TIME” for yourself 

14:17 When burnout happens...fast!

17:48 What does courage look like?

22:52 Pushing our egos aside 

30:00 Guest perspective - what does success look like? 

32:49 What we need to think about amidst the chaos 

38:19 Truths & Takeaways

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Books Mentioned in this Episode: 

Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday 

What if It's Wonderful? by Nicole Zasowski 

Today we’re sitting down with Kimberly Stuart, author of eight novels, speaker, host of two podcasts, and executive writing coach w/ Bob Goff.  This conversation is everything you didn’t know you needed!  Kim invites us into her own “accidental” story of becoming a writer and shares behind the scenes insights from both writing and coaching hundreds of other writers. Her stories are packed with encouragement and tips for your own creative, personal, or professional pursuits. We're talking about finding freedom and letting go of trying to master that perfect plan, knowing when it's time to abandon or release a project, what holds people back, and how she stays inspired to keep writing. Whether you simply need a dose of humor, a bit of courage, a nudge to make (or not make) that next move, or have a desire to write, you’ll find what you need in this conversation.  

on Instagram @kim.stuart.writes or kimberlystuart.com

Podcasts - 

For Real with Kimberly Stuart   and 

The Writing Room with Bob Goff and Kimberly Stuart 

Books - 

https://www.kimberlystuart.com/books

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Episode Highlights

(2:09) Kim’s story - finding her path “on accident”

(7:00) The gift of feeling “seen”

(10:28) The myth about having and executing a plan

(12:15) You don’t need a 20 pt plan. Relax!

(14:34) How do you stay inspired?

(17:30) When the brain does its best work 

(18:33) The beautiful responsibility of getting better

(21:29) Favorite book you’ve written?

(22:44) How do you know when a book is finished?

(26:26) Knowing when it’s time to release or abandon a project 

(34:43) Wading in and out of the waters of guilt 

(37:07) What do you wish you’d known sooner?

(41:17) The checkerboard analogy we all need

(46:38) Guest Perspective - view on success 

(51:52) Truths & Takeaways

Mallory Martin, Founder and CEO of Mended, a social impact brand that economically empowers survivors of modern-day slavery, joins us this week to share the story behind the brand. 

From corporate work in sports marketing to her role with International Justice Missions to starting her own brand, you’ll be inspired to hear how each door opened up the door to the next. As the story of Mended unfolds, Mallory shares simple truths and entrepreneurial lessons learned along the way, the essential skills worth having, the importance of building a life around curiosity, her business litmus test, and how she finds joy in creating an impact in both motherhood and her work. 

Whether you’re a globally conscious consumer, enjoy a good story, have an entrepreneurial spirit, or love supporting those who do, you’ll enjoy this truth-filled conversation. 

- Episode Highlights -

The story of Mended (1:45)

Becoming self aware and understanding your strengths (14:30)

Helpful skills to have (15:18)

Entrepreneur Tip: What do you wish you’d known sooner? (19:20)

An honest truth about entrepreneurship (20:50)

Creating a litmus test for your pursuits (28:11)

Failing forward - how to live like you’re "bowling with bumpers" (33:09)

Having both/and (work + home) (34:29)

Defining Success: Guest Perspective (38:45)

Truths & Takeaways (42:40)

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Mended - https://mended.co/

Follow Mended on Instagram @mended_co

In this episode, we’re talking about our relationship with expectations, the paradox behind them, and how we can find both freedom and favor in them. Whether it’s self-imposed expectations you might struggle with, the unspoken expectations, the big dreams you’re working towards, or your expectations of others, there’s something for you in this week’s episode.  

-EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS- 

Questions to ask yourself (0:45)

The toxic cocktail (1:41)

The paradox of expectations (3:29)

What we ALL do (4:57)

What is productivity (11:21)

Truths and Takeaways (13:50)

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Mentioned in this episode:

Books:

Boy Mom by Monica Swanson

Let it Be Easy by Susie Moore 

Episodes: 

Expectations, Pressure to Perform, and a New Perspective w/ Ruth Chou Simons

We’re having a momversation this week with modern mom muse, Mary McConville.  She’s sharing her story of creating a community of support through her illustrations on her @growupbrite Instagram page one mom moment at a time. We’re talking about reimagining motherhood right where you are and the need to clean out the closest of motherhood beliefs and expectations that are no longer serving you.  

Episode Highlights

How it all started (1:30)

A turning point in her work (4:20)

Creating a community of support (7:47) 

Reimagining motherhood where you are (11:35) 

The goal in parenting (13:16)

When you feel like things are messy and “unproductive” (17:20) 

Cleaning out your closest of motherhood beliefs (19:25) 

Leaning into the pockets of motherhood (20:00) 

Lessons learned (21:41) 

We all forget lunch (24:47) 

The people we can choose to “be” (28:06)

What is success - guest perspective? (31:16) 

Truths and Takeaways (35:56)

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Website: growupbrite.com

Instagram: @growupbrite