Bright With Elise

When I sent the voice memo to Anthony Gurrola, an Instagram digital creator that I've followed for a few years, I had no idea that he would respond so quickly with an enthusiastic "YES!" 

Anthony is so full of the Holy Spirit and genuinely divinely inspired by the Lord to influence this digital age. After feeling the call to quit his job and pursue digital creation full time, it has taken off, and he is able to spend his days waiting to receive what the Lord would share with the world through his art and illustrations. 

Humble, kind, teachable, willing, able... this podcast is amazing. It caused me to challenge my own level of obedience. What am I doing to be obedient with the gifts the Lord has given you? What are you?

Here's his instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonygurrola/?hl=en

And here's his site where you can purchase his art (I have some in my home!): https://anthonygurrola.squarespace.com/

This episode houses some golden nuggets. In the midst of a conversation around singleness, intimacy, and relationships - we talk about what it really takes to invest in your relationships well, how to take personal accountability for where you're at in life, and how to lay out expectations with your people and yourself. We bring it back at the end to intimacy, and how to reflect Christ well. 

Give it a listen, people. It's golden. 

There was SO much to cover in this episode, that we decided to make it a two-part! 

This first section is all about intimacy in relationships, and then starting the conversation about singles. Like Derrica says in the episode, it's annoying that we're even talking about this - but we dig into WHY it's become more of a segregated conversation, and how to change our view of intimacy in ALL relationships. 

Part two releases July 1st!

Today's episode is fun, because it's with my BOSS, Sylvia Laurence! Sylvia has taught me SO much about life. I look up to her in so many ways, and learn from her consistently. One of those ways is through her being a mom - and specifically, a working mom. On this episode, we dive into some of the insecurities, the decisions, the benefits, and the challenges of being a working mom. She has some amazing insight, so I hope you love this conversation with Sylvia Laurence!

This episode is absolutely PACKED with some amazing tools and resources as we talk all about domestic abuse and violence within and outside of religious spaces. Domestic abuse and violence is a problem that is rampant in many spaces that we all walk in. I talk with Sherri Brown, who has been doing work in this space for years, about how to spot domestic abuse, how to respond, and what to start looking for. We talk through some pretty chilling stories of real-life women in her world that have shared their stories of abuse, and also how they've gotten out of it. 

A few things... 

- This is hard episode to listen to. Trigger warning for any type of abusive relationship. Use your discernment as you listen. And also, reach out if you need help. 

- Here is a pdf of a power/control wheel that we talk about in the episode: https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/PowerandControl.pdf

- Circles of Troup County Website (go donate if you can!!!): https://circlesoftroup.org/

- Winston Salem Victim Assistance Unit: 336-773-7860 or 336-773-7741

I have fan-girled over Sara Anthony for years honestly. She's a mom to teens, a sailor, a house-flipper, and lover of all things goals and discipline. I wanted to do an episode with her that talks about creating a maintaining a morning routine. It is amazing how it changes the entire outlook of your day, week, month, and year, to be consistent in this one thing. We also talk about creating "goal groups" - a pretty practical concept that will keep you on track with the things you're chasing. 

It's GOLD, you guys. 

To follow her on IG, here's her tag: @simplysaraanthony

I'm releasing this episode right in the middle of what's supposed to be the most happy and merry time of the year. And while it absolutely can be, sometimes that isn't everyone's story. On this episode, I get to talk with Jana Jackson, who I met a few years ago at my old job. We connected quickly and I fell in love with her and her family. 

Her story of grief is wild. Yet, she is so clear in what she knows - that the Lord has, and will continue to sustain her and her four girls throughout the rest of their lives. Her story is so encouraging. I'm so grateful for her being willing to share her story to help teach about processing through grief. I'm praying that her story touches you! If you're grieving, or you know someone who is grieving, this episode is perfect for you.

You are seen, and you are loved. 

Anxiety is crippling our world. Most people that I speak with experience anxiety on a consistent basis - and this includes me! This week on the podcast, I got to talk to Zach Dickson - a licensed counselor running a nonprofit ministry called Hopetown Counseling. I get to share some of my experience with anxiety, and he shares some amazing insight about anxiety, how we got here, and how we can walk towards healing. Let's get honest! Let's get real.

Show Notes: 

Suicide Hotline - 1-800-273-8255 (If you need help, CALL. You aren't alone!)

Hopetown Website - HOPETOWN (thisishopetown.com)

Zach's Instagram: Zach Dickson (@zachdickson) • Instagram photos and videos

My first DUO guest podcast! I had a blast sitting in my living room with Bryan and Megan Tabb recording this episode all about BOUNDARIES. These two are really strategic with their “yes’s” and their “no’s” - and it shows. Their lives have built-in margin in order to highlight and protect the things that are most important to them

When you think of boundaries, you might think of time boundaries. In this episode, we explore many different types of boundaries that people can be thinking about. Financial, relational, technological, etc. 

As we enter this post-pandemic world and begin to ramp back up, boundaries are as important as ever. I can’t wait for you to hear all they have to say!

It's a sweet thing when the people that have been in your life for years, are able to watch you grow and develop. Bekah McDonald has shaped so many of my thoughts as I have grown in my understanding of life and God. More recently, she played the role of coach in my life through a program called Younique. It's about discovering the practical purpose and calling that the Lord has given us.

One of the tools used in this program was all about how we use names - both the names that have been given to us, and the names spoken over us. In this episode, we talk about the power of a name, and how we can both live into our names, and speak life over those around us