Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?

My guest this week is the incredible Susie Larson, who you might know as the host of the popular radio show, Susie Larson Live. Susie is also a best-selling author and national speaker who is passionate about helping people discover the depth of God's love, the value of their soul, and their calling in Christ Jesus.

Susie is a two-time finalist for the John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award, has authored over 20 books and devotionals, and touches the lives of over half a million people weekly on social media with her daily devotionals.

We'll be diving into her newest book, Waking Up to the Goodness of God: 40 Days Toward Healing and Wholeness, and exploring what it means to intentionally embrace God's goodness each day. Susie has such a powerful story of faith, healing, and resilience and has amazing insights into what it looks like to make space for hope in our lives, even in the darkest of moments.

3:34 – Susie 101

• Susie’s family and upbringing
• Starting as an author and speaker and becoming a full-time talk radio host
• Susie’s journey through high-risk pregnancies and Lyme disease
• Embracing the goodness of God

17:09 – Trust in the Midst of Loss

• Choosing trust over bitterness in the face of life’s hardships
• Leaning into God’s goodness
• Actively imprinting God's goodness on the heart

24:50 – Making Space for Hope

• We can’t afford to live without hope
• Spend time getting to know God
• Finding older mentors that have a fire for God

29:23 – Spiritual Resiliency

• Affirmations and declarations rooted in biblical truths
• Battling inner critics and countering the lies of the enemy
• How Susie rewired her brain while battling Lyme disease

37:16 – Overcoming Fear + Closing Thoughts

• The significance of 40 days in healing
• Pushing through the wall of fear to expand your ministry and purpose
• Ordering Susie’s book and where to find her radio show

FEATURED QUOTES

“I would say a large share of Christians might have right theology around salvation- they know they're saved, but they don't know they're loved- and that makes a very big difference.”

“Maybe you're in between crises, and in between storms… this is the perfect time to be looking around and noticing the goodness of God all around you.”

“There are legitimate reasons for fear in our day. But there's even more legitimate reasons for faith because our future is bright in Jesus.”

“If you're willing to apply yourself to the truth of God, change will happen.”

Learn more about Susie:

Susie’s Book, Waking Up to the Goodness of God

https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-Goodness-God-Wholeness/dp/0785294716

Susie’s Radio Show:

https://myfaithradio.com/programs/susie-larson-live/

Susie’s Website:

https://www.susielarson.com/about

Welcome to the first official episode recorded in 2024! After an incredible year filled with so many inspiring conversations, I've decided to shake things up and steer away from the usual New Year's resolutions talk this year.

Let's face it, there's nothing inherently magical about January 1^st. So instead, I want to share some of my favorite lessons from the podcast and life in 2023. I hope this episode encourages you and inspires a fresh perspective on the year ahead!

3:51 – Word of the Year

• Reflecting on the last two years
• This year’s word: “flourish”
• Your word of the year

7:16 – The Podcast in 2024

• 8 years of the podcast
• Switching up formats this year
• Getting creative and breaking routines

9:43 – “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry”

• Recording my audiobook
• Prayers for this journey
• Pre-ordering the book
• Mini book tour

13:41 – Top 5 Episodes of 2023

• Episode 334, Megan Hyatt Miller
• Episode 369, Jay Hewitt
• Episode 373, Dr. Emily Smith
• Episode 345, Jamie Winship
• Episode 376, Ginny Yurich

23:29 – Encouragements For This Year

• Saying “no” to more things and “yes” to the right things
• Giving yourself room to try new things and mess up
• Learning when and when not to apologize
• Creating margin in your summer

FEATURED QUOTES

"I want to give you the encouragement to, this year, give yourself the space to break routines. Give yourself the space to get creative, give yourself the space to try something new."

“I'm encouraging you to say no to more things, so that you can say yes to the right things. This is not a new concept. But it's easier said than done.”

“I am so excited about what this podcast is going to look like this year.”

We’re kicking off the new year with Bill and Kristi Gaultiere. They are Doctors of Psychology and founders of the Soul Shepherding Institute, a ministry dedicated to helping pastors, leaders, churches and more thrive with Jesus in emotional and relational health.

Bill and Kristi have authored several soul care books and resources, such as their newest book, “Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith.” I’m so excited to have them on today to explore the relationship between our spiritual lives and mental health. Stay tuned as we talk about how embracing our feelings can lead to greater joy, peace, and spiritual growth.

4:25 – Bill and Kristi 101

• A background in counseling and ministry
• Starting Soul Shepherding in 2009

9:21 – Psychology and Faith

• Spiritual Directors vs Spiritual Counselors
• All truth is God’s truth
• Embracing emotions to deepen your relationship with others and God

19:43 – The Enneagram

• Using the Enneagram as a tool for spiritual growth
• Unconscious sin, dysfunction, and areas of growth
• Dealing with distressing emotions to cultivate positive emotions

27:15 – Embracing Emotions, Empathy, and Faith

• Anxiety as a repressed emotion
• Empathy and understanding with the Enneagram
• Jesus’ emotions and faith

38:12 – Breaking Free into Greater Joy

• Taking action when dealing with anxiety and depression
• Finding words for your emotions + seeking support
• Bill and Kristi’s recommended resources

FEATURED QUOTES

“We just realized that all the people who are helping other people are prone to neglect their own soul. And so that's our niche, to reach in there for the people that are really committed in their relationships in their work... and to really help them care for their own soul so that their work, their ministry, can be coming out of the overflow of God's love to them.”

“God doesn't want us to be hiding our emotions. He wants us to be emotionally honest with him, like the psalmist.”

“Jesus shows us perfect faith in God. He shows us how to have healthy feelings and thriving faith. He shows us how feelings and faith are not necessarily enemies. Some people think that they don't get along with each other, but actually being aware of our emotions and learning to care for our emotions and other people's emotions…helps us become more like Jesus.”

Soul Shepherd Website-

https://www.soulshepherding.org/

“Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith” Book-

https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Feelings-Thriving-Faith-Emotionally/dp/0800742818

Soul Shepherd Enneagram Resources-

https://www.soulshepherding.org/enneagram/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhc-sBhCEARIsAOVwHuQwau6brhW2gSyD3j64zm6zbSQIfbfanPcY0jg0uitQPjGzELTh_yIaAqdeEALw_wcB

Meet with a Spiritual Director-

https://www.soulshepherding.org/spiritual-directors-directory/

This week, I'm excited to welcome Ginny Yurich, a homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside- a global movement reclaiming childhood and fostering family connections through nature-based play. Alongside her husband, Josh, Ginny is the brilliant mind behind the 1000 Hours Outside lifestyle brand, featuring an online store, app, podcast, a brand new book, and much more.

Whether you have kids or not, this episode is an absolute must-listen. We dig deep into issues that resonate, especially for those of us stuck behind desks and indoors all day. This conversation was deep, thought-provoking, and left me feeling challenged and convicted in the best way. It’s easily one of my top 10 favorite episodes of all time, and I’m so excited to share it with you!

3:36 – Ginny 101

• Struggles of early motherhood
• A playdate that changed everything
• Transformation through outdoor time
• Writing about this experience

15:07 – The Power of Outdoor Play

• The challenges of modern parenting
• Making small, intentional changes in daily routines
• Building outdoor habits as a family
• The power of friends and community with outdoor activities

34:11 – Embracing All Seasons

• The magic of winter
• Leaning into the unique experiences each season brings
• Cultivating grit and resilience

41:55 – Parenting in a Changing World

• Balancing structured and unstructured activities
• Encouraging self-discovery and independence
• Rethinking the college-centric path

1:01:21 – Takeaways + Words of Encouragement

• The power of pre-ordering books
• The long-term impact of parenting choices
• Celebrating real-life, hands-on experiences

FEATURED QUOTES

“If all that time, all those memories, all that relationship building, all of that connection, all of those moments of exhale- if those had gone to screens, our life would be so much less full….This is about bringing balance back to childhood.”

“What I've learned over the past decade is that this is a step that you take as a family. And the step is awareness. It's about knowing that, when we play outside, it benefits every single member of your family, from your newborn to your grandmother to your great grandmother.”

“There are long-term effects to the choices that we make. And this is their life, this is their childhood. And it's important to understand, at least to a small degree, what self-directed childhood play does for kids. And it does an immense amount.”

Learn more about Ginny:

https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/

https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/about-us

https://www.amazon.com/Until-Streetlights-Come-Brightens-Uncertain-ebook/dp/B0BW11WHTN/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1703003496&refinements=p_27%3AGinny+Yurich&s=books&sr=1-1

Jenny and Dave Marrs have been restoring and renovating historic homes since 2004. You may know them as the stars of the HGTV show Fixer to Fabulous, where they showcase their amazing work in their charming hometown, Bentonville, Arkansas.

Jenny and Dave believe that beautiful spaces are often imperfect and full of character, much like those who live there. Faith, family, and community are the driving forces behind everything they do, and I’m so excited to have them share their story with you today.

Listen in to learn more about the heart behind the work that they do, their passion for nonprofit and community engagement and what it means to lean into intentional living.

5:35 – Jenny and Dave 101

• Moved to Arkansas in 2004
• Started a family building company
• Getting picked up by the HGTV network

12:02 – Cultivating Hope

• Jenny’s fundraiser that evolved into a nonprofit
• Establishing a partnership in Zimbabwe
• Empowering orphaned teenagers through agriculture

19:49 – Called To Adoption

• A heart for adoption and family preservation
• Misconceptions about adoption and foster care
• Acknowledging the brokenness and trauma that comes with adoption

28:25 – Home and Heart

• Incorporating charitable passions into their HGTV show
• A passion for restoring older homes and preserving history
• The logistics of moving a home to a new location
• The cultural shift in homeownership

51:04 – Intentionality In Your Space

• Jenny’s book release
• Making your home work for you and your family
• Where to find Jenny and Dave

FEATURED QUOTES

“There's so much beauty in adoption and redemption and all of that but it is all very much rooted and trauma and loss and brokenness, which is just the reality.”

“Your family's story changes…when we moved out here 10 years ago, our twins were just about to turn four. Now they're bigger than Jenny is…there's always a shift and a juggle to make it fit our family's current needs.”

“You can always paint the walls back and sell it… you can make changes and take risks… it's about giving yourself permission to love the space where you live.”

This week, I am thrilled to have the incredible Ciara Laine Myers as my guest. Ciara is a mother, award winning business owner, and author of the book Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision is Gone.This book is an collection of personal stories and life lessons brimming with heart, passion, and raw authenticity that will resonate with every reader.

In our conversation today, Ciara and I dive into the depths of vision and purpose in life. We learn more about Ciara’s story, what led her to write this book, and reflect on the beauty that comes from embracing both the dreamer and the visionary within ourselves.

Stay tuned as we chat about the delicate balance between dreaming and doing, the importance of humility in fulfilling our calling, inspiring others with our gifts, and so much more!

2:45 – Ciara 101

• Growing up in the faith
• Starting a group counseling center
• Being called into the writing industry

8:52 – A Calling To Write

• A strong calling to stop digital work
• The genesis of Ciara’s book
• Finding and living one's purpose, calling, and vision

21:28 – Living With Purpose

• The role of purpose and meaning in longevity
• Adam and Eve in the garden
• Practical approaches for pursuing purpose in your life

33:23 – Balancing Vision and Action

• The distinction between being a dreamer and a visionary
• Bringing your dreams to fruition and inviting others into the process
• Being confident in one’s calling while maintaining humility

43:28 – Closing Thoughts

• Daily date with God + what this looks like for Ciara
• How to connect with Ciara

FEATURED QUOTES

“God is an example to us of how we need to be a visionary. If he had stopped at the dreaming, none of us would exist.”

“How can I serve one person with my gift? Awkwardly? Humbly? Just one soul. How can I do that? If I throw a concert and only one person comes, it's more than worth it.”

Learn more about Ciara:

https://veiledfree.com/

This week’s guest is the incredible Dr. Emily Smith, who you might also know as the Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist on social media. Emily is an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Surgery at Duke University and at the Duke Global Health Institute.

With a background that includes four years at Baylor University, a PhD in Epidemiology from UNC Chapel Hill, and an MSPH from the University of South Carolina, Emily brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Beyond her professional achievements, Emily is a devoted wife of 20 years, the mom of two incredible children, and shares her home with a sweet golden retriever and golden doodle puppy.

I am so excited to dive into Emily’s story and the heart behind her new book, The Science of The Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger About Loving Our Neighbors, with you today. Stay tuned for a powerful conversation that challenges, uplifts, and encourages a deeper understanding of what it means to truly love our neighbors.

6:04 – Emily 101

• Born in eastern New Mexico
• Moving around, medical school + research at Duke
• A passion for global engagement + public health

14:07 – The Good Samaritan

• Two questions from the Good Samaritan story
• The Science of the Good Samaritan
• Recognizing and addressing structural injustices

20:35 – Becoming Authentic Neighbors

• Moving beyond token gestures of kindness
• Recognizing the historical context of poverty and inequality
• Shifting from shame to understanding
• Emily finding her calling

29:49 – The Birth of "Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist"

• Responding to the pandemic
• Navigating rapid online growth + hostility from strangers
• Finding courage in the face of adversity
• Discovering a like-minded community

44:44 – The Work of Neighborly Love

• Taking a deeper look at “Science of The Good Samaritan”
• Recognizing injustice + entering the conversation like a good neighbor
• Heart-centered faith
• A call for courage

FEATURED QUOTES

“Epidemiology is the science of the Good Samaritan... it's a science of quantifying who is most at need so that we don't walk by.”

“It feels very natural as a person of a Christian faith to do the type of science that I do, because it's quantifying those that are typically overlooked.”

“When we consider health for our children, we want them to be fully healthy, thriving, happy, live out their full potential. So why don't we want that for the rest of the world?”

Learn more about Dr. Emily Smith:

https://www.facebook.com/friendlyneighborepidemiologist/

https://emilysmith.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/friendlyneighborepidemiologist/?hl=en

https://globalhealth.duke.edu/news/epidemiologist-next-door

Our guest this week is the incredible Adrienne Bankert, award-winning national news anchor and host of "Morning in America" on News Nation. With an impressive background that includes five years at ABC News, two Emmys for her work on "Good Morning America," and coverage of global events from Tokyo to Paris, Adrienne has worked with some of the biggest names and headlines throughout her career.

We’ll chat about Adrienne’s career journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her book, "Your Hidden Superpower: The Kindness That Makes You Unbeatable at Work and Connects You with Anyone." This book focuses on the genuine and transformative influence of kindness and offers guidance on building authentic connections in various aspects of life, be it within teams, friendships, or even with strangers.

Adrienne is an amazing woman and getting to hear her story and wisdom was such a treat. I know you’re going to love this conversation!

3:24 – Adrienne 101

• A passion for storytelling
• Growing up in a small town
• Internships and connections in college
• Becoming a news anchor
• Balancing confidence and fear throughout her career

15:25 – The Emotional Challenges of Journalism

• Adrienne’s approach to traumatic stories
• Adopting a mindset of service
• Being present, safe, and a voice of comfort

25:00 – The Power of Kindness

• Adrienne’s book
• Who do you want to be?
• Being authentic
• Muscle memory for being more fulfilled and relatable
• Stop living in fear

38:42 – Profound Lessons

• Making an impression with the time you have
• Authenticity in journalism
• Connect with Adrienne

FEATURED QUOTES

“I came from very humble beginnings, and I think that prepared me for where I am today.”

“As you do venture out, it becomes easier and easier to stay confident. And also, to balance… You learn how to be confident without being too aggressive, and you learn how to be humble without being passive.”

“When you stimulate your life with kindness on a regular basis, it has a biological, psychological and physical change that you will find in your personal life and your professional life and in your mental health.”

Learn more about Adrienne:

https://www.newsnationnow.com/

https://www.newsnationnow.com/author/adrienne-bankert/

https://www.instagram.com/abontv/?hl=en

Today’s guest, Anh Lin, is a celebrated interior stylist known for her captivating designs and thought-provoking writing, including The Abundant Life Devotional Journal. Anh is also the creator of the popular faith and lifestyle blog, Girl And The Word, which has since expanded its influence through YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok, and her online shop, The Hooga Shop.

In this episode, we dive deep into Anh’s powerful story and how these experiences have shaped her unique perspective on design and life. We also discuss her new book, Forever Home: Moving Beyond Brokenness to Build a Strong and Beautiful Life.

Listen in as we talk about moving beyond brokenness, embracing a fulfilling and meaningful life, and so much more. This conversation with Anh was such a delight. I just know you’re going to love it!

3:35 – Anh 101

• Born in Vietnam
• Moving to Pasadena, California
• Losing her father to cancer
• Finding Jesus in the darkest times

19:14 – Resilience Through Faith

• Jesus has overcome the world
• Suffering is a universal experience
• God can empathize

24:48 – New Beginnings

• A newfound appreciation for life
• Seeking therapy
• Healing + a deeper connection with God

34:07 – The Journey To Interior Design + Writing

• An unexpected path to interior design
• Gaining a social media following
• Moving beyond brokenness and restoring a sense of peace

FEATURED QUOTES

“I think that's exactly what a life with Jesus gives you. He allows you to live beyond the physical and beyond the cultural demands and seek to purpose.”

“My ultimate hope is that Forever Home can be a guidebook to helping you restore the sense of peace that has been hijacked by trauma.”

“You can start small instead of feeling overwhelmed by tackling entire rooms at a time. It all begins with a deconstruction process. And at first, being in this demolition phase might feel like a tear down. But it's only when you demolish this old life, can you actually rebuild something new and better for yourself.”

Learn more about Anh:

https://www.girlandtheword.com/

https://www.instagram.com/girlandtheword/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqo-jdu6ue5Wv-oe5-PSNvQ

I am beyond excited to announce that after 7+ years in the making, my book, If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry: How Death, Debt, and Comedy Led to a Life of Faith, Farming, and Forgetting What I Came in This Room For, is now available for pre-order. It feels so surreal that this day is here.

Today I’m going to give you a glimpse into this journey and share the inspiration behind writing this book. This memoir is the story of my testimony. It’s a story of brokenness, shame, and regret, but most importantly, it’s a story of restoration, redemption, and healing. This project has been an absolute labor of love that I cannot wait to share with you!

Whether this is your first time listening, you’ve been here since day one, or something in between, I'm grateful for each one of you who has been a part of this incredible journey so far. I pray that this book makes you laugh, cry, and realize that even the messiest, muddiest, most broken parts of your story can be redeemed.

1:57 – A Special Announcement

• Pre-ordering my memoir
• A labor of love
• The inspiration behind this book

7:39 – What Is This Story About?

• My mother’s passing
• My journey with loss, debt, and brokenness
• Transformation and redemption through Jesus

13:49 – Support + Share!

• Where you can pre-order the book
• My prayer + excitement for this journey
• My new website + more!

FEATURED QUOTES

“I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that in less than five months, you are going to hold in your hands a copy of my book… of some of the most honest and vulnerable words I have ever written and shared.”

“My prayer is that as you read this book, that you can see that even the messy, muddy, broken parts of your story can be redeemed- that there is no one that is too far gone to be redeemed and to be forgiven. That we all make mistakes.”

“Life is the both and; it is about living in the tension of the grief, and the joy and the beauty and the brokenness.”

PRE ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!