Live with Joy!

Would you say that the inner voice you hear inside your head most often is a positive or negative one? So often, the voice that is heard the loudest is a negative one; filling us with fear, self-doubt and unbelief, causing us to shrink back instead of advancing towards the fulfillment of our life purpose.

In today's episode, Dr. Michele R. Wells discusses the mind-emotion connection, explaining how the mind is affected by words and past experiences, and leaves us with some valuable tools for shifting our mindset to a positive one!

About Dr. Michele R. Wells:

Dr. Michele R. Wells is the founder and CEO of Courageous Voice Academy, LLC, home of her signature program BOLD Voice. BOLD Voice assists professional women who are unfulfilled and desire to go for promotion, change careers, or start their business. Dr. Michele works with women to reconnect with their true selves by hanging their mindset through addressing fears and limiting beliefs. She helps women embrace their values and strengths and develop a transformational plan to be the leader of their lives.

Dr. Michele is a tenured professor who has served for 20 years in higher education. Dr. Michele holds a Master's of Social Work and a PhD in Organizational Leadership.

Dr. Michele Wells is the author of "BOLD Choices", which empowers women to embrace their journey as they walk into the life they are destined to live! She also has

authored a devotional journal entitled "My Ramblings in the Silence” and is a contributing author to the anthology “Deeper Women Teach, Vol.2”

To Connect with Dr. Wells:

https://www.drmichelewells.com/

FB and IG: michelereneewells

Linkedin: michele-wells-phd-msw

There is no better version of your story than the one which you tell from a place of vulnerable introspection. Sandi Savage shares her incredible life story in today's episode, which is more fully detailed in her newly released book, "You Knit Me: Untangling Trauma to Create a God-Woven Life". I encourage you to order her book at: https://sandisavage.com/book

More about Sandi:

Sandi Savage is the author of "You Knit Me: Untangling Trauma to Create a God-Woven Life", Founder of 4th St Publishing, a dynamic speaker, cancer survivor and an overcomer of years of abuse and exploitation she experienced while working in the sex industry. She is passionate about equipping women to understand that their stories matter and is desperately needed in this world. With over 20 years of experience in adult ministry she is a voice of wisdom and resilience for those who need to borrow courage to overcome their own life obstacles. Sandi is a ninth-generation Kentuckian, has lived across the globe and currently resides in central Kentucky with her husband Tim, baby girl Josephine, and two diva cats SugarBerri and SnowToe.

Sandi Savage draws readers into an eyewitness experience of redemption through You Knit Me. She Describes her disappointments and pain with brutal honesty as she shares her reflections with the voice of experiential wisdom. Intense, Authentic, and reflective, You Knit Me is the story of resilience and overcoming extreme odds to live a beautiful, restored life - a story that can inspire anyone to do the same."

To learn more about Sandi, visit:

SANDISAVAGE.COM

If you were asked "What brings you joy?" would you know the answer? Although I host a podcast all about joy, if you were to ask me what would bring me joy in regards to flourishing in my life purpose, deep down inside, I know for certain that I would need to do some real soul searching before I could offer you a truly honest answer to this question. My guest today is Ann Eileen Thompson, a very successful & high-level business woman. Ann was the co-founder of "The Garage Group", an award-winning consulting firm out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She is also a wife, a mother, fellow podcaster and soon to be author. In today's episode, Ann shares her testimony of a recent soul-searching journey God has taken her on in order to move her away from her own sense of success and security, into a deeper place of fellowship and trusting Him to care for her as she learns to find real joy in a child-like manner once again. To listen to Ann's podcast "Faith Driven Leader" - https://open.spotify.com/show/6m5R7x5hniPFV9j2vINPsH To follow Ann on Instagram: @anneileenthompson To connect with Ann: https://anneileenthompson.com

About Cheri Littlefield: Cheri graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a BS in Elementary Education in May of 2000.  She then started her profession in the area of Student Life and Administration at a residential high school on Ball State’s Campus in Muncie, IN.  She, later moved back to her childhood home in Elkhart, IN and began her career in the field of social work.  Shortly after she moved back to the Michiana area, she went to graduate school at Indiana University of South Bend and received her Masters in Social Work in May of 2010.  She has worked as a case manager, clinical therapist, clinical and administrative supervisor, as well as partnered with community stakeholders to bridge the gap with access to treatment for those that struggle with mental health and addiction issues.  She has spent the last 9 years working in the field of addiction and specializes in addiction treatment.  Cheri has also taught at IUSB in the social work program and has enjoyed training interns. Cheri enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially her niece and nephews. Resources to help those struggling with Trauma, Addiction and other mental health related issues: - Ted Talk: How Childhood Trauma affects Health Across a Lifetime:    https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime?language=en - Ted Talk: The Stigma of Addiction:    https://www.ted.com/talks/tony_hoffman_the_stigma_of_addiction - Podcast: Healing from Trauma and Addiction:    https://youtu.be/6A1VHxKLIcI Hotlines: - National Center for Victims of Crime: 800-394-2255 - National Child Abuse Hotline:  800-422-4453 - National Domestic Violence Hotline:  800-799-7233 - National Sexual Assault Hotline:  800-656-4673 - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  888-628-9454 - National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline:  866-331-9474 - National Drug Helpline:  844-289-0879 - National Alliance on Mental Illness:  800-950-6264 - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Hotline:  800-662-4357

"Live with Joy" was created to "inspire our listeners to find their life's passion, release their greatest potential, while living their lives with Joy."   Reflecting back over the past two seasons, I am beginning to see my desire to dig even deeper within my heart and discuss things that have been hang-ups and barricades to my growth, inner healing and success, because I want my life to emulate the mission of this podcast.

As I continue in my journey to discover just what "trauma" is, and to what level I have experienced it, I thought that it was best to start at the beginning, by returning to my own childhood experiences and learn if what I had been through could have been considered trauma. WOW...within the first few questions that Pamela asks using the ACES test, there was no doubt in my mind that I had experienced some major trauma in my childhood!  The good news is that I am not overwhelmed by it, nor does it haunt me anymore!  I believe that my desire to look into my life and do the deep work over the years has lessened the pain of my childhood, even though I had no clue it was classified as trauma.  And the best news for me - and for you - is that God created our brains and bodies to heal from trauma, with a lot of help from the Holy Spirit and some very professionally trained counselors.  Will you join me in my journey?

About Pamela Harms:

Pamela Harms is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kansas and Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri. She holds a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University, a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Assemblies of God University, and an Associate’s Degree in Theology from Christ for the Nations Institute. Pamela is a certified synergetic play therapist, Gottman trained couples therapist,  and also specializes in the treatment of trauma with EMDR therapy. Pamela is passionate about helping individuals overcome obstacles in their lives that they may experience the fullness of what God has for them.

Pamela is a wife, mother of two girls, and musician.  She is an avid reader and enjoys relaxing with a book and a cup of tea. You may also find her taking long walks in nature, playing classical music or getting lost in worship at her grand piano, or engaging in deep conversation with a close friend. Pamela believes in being fully present in the moment while living with a keen awareness of eternity. Her favorite quote is by Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Questionnaire for Childhood Emotional Neglect: https://drjonicewebb.com/cenquestionnaire/

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Questions: https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English.pdf

Connect with Pamela:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UndividedHeartCounseling

Therapy Info: https://www.therapyden.com/therapist/pamela-harms-ks

Find a Counselor:

Psychology Today (search by state and insurance, specialty, faith): https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

Focus on the Family Referrals: https://findacounselor.focusonthefamily.com/?refcd=1068102&utm_source=/FindACounselor&utm_medium=redirect

American Association of Christian Counselors network: https://connect.aacc.net/?search_type=distance

Today's episode is the beginning of a series that has become very important to me, because, at the age of 52, I cannot say that I know much about the clinical term "Trauma".  I want and need to change this, because, if I want to understand and improve my life, and, if I want to help my friends, family and those God brings into my life, I need to listen and learn so that I might understand. I began to ask questions of experts in the field of psychology regarding trauma, and it was important to me that I begin this series with a psychologist who knows me best - my friend, Dr. Cindy Byler, because I know her personal journey with traumatic events in her own life, which she will share a little about in this episode.  I feel "at home" with Cindy, and I believe that feeling safe is very important when you are sharing your inner struggles with someone. A little about Cindy...Dr. Cindy Byler is an accomplished professional with over 17 years of experience in serving the needs of people, psychologically and spiritually.  Gaining an early start in the medical profession, she developed a passion to help people as a counselor, and turned her interests to the field of Psychology.  Dr. Byler has successfully assisted individuals, couples and families through a variety of issues, including Crisis Intervention, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder and Marital and Family Relationship issues.  She has been instrumental in helping others focus on living skills, interpersonal relationships and behavioral control.  Additionally, she functions as part of the Lead Pastoral Team of Connection Church, serving as a teacher and a lecturer in addition to overseeing a lay counselor program.  Dr. Byler has a passion for mentoring emerging leaders, particularly in her related field. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  1-800-273-8255  If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts/tendencies, please take a moment to talk with someone.  You will learn from this podcast that suicidal thoughts are more prevalent than anyone may know.  And, you will also learn just how valuable talking to someone was in our lives.   You can connect with Dr. Byler through the following: Email:  [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.w.byler Connections Church Website: https://www.connectionchurch.com/

Dr. Scott Arias is the owner and CEO of Ace Consulting Company, located in Nicholasville, KY.  He is a husband, father of four, a tenured professor, entrepreneur and life-long learner.  He and his wife, Marne, reside in Nicholasville, KY, and his four children are all integral team members within his company. Scott left his role of Director of Construction at Mason & Hanger, one of the oldest construction companies in the United States, to pursue his business.  In his first year of operation, he made $7,000.00.  As of today, his company sees revenue upwards of $15M, has three (3) office locations, with over 100 employees.  Additionally, the company is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) with a commitment to "give back" by donating 10% of company profit to the Lexington Leadership Foundation, an organization that funds various 501c3 organizations in the local community. Scott got his start in construction in 1994 when he enlisted in the US Navy, joining the Construction Battalion, better known as the Seabees.  In 2002, he was promoted to Chief Petty Office after having served eight (8) years.  At that time, he was one of the youngest individuals in the Navy to earn this rank.  Just days after his promotion, he was involved in a severe motorcycle accident, costing him his left leg;  but that did not stop him from returning to full active duty.   Several years later, he suffered an injury while deployed overseas to the Middle East (Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom), forcing him into early retirement.  He retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer after 12 years of service.  After retiring, Scott went on to oversee the construction of 12 US embassies overseas and ultimately settled in Nicholasville, KY to embark on the path leading to where he is today. In 2019, Scott wrote and published the book Pick Up Your Mat and Walk, that chronicles his own life experiences in overcoming adversity, devastation, self-destruction and finding hope, recovery and the path to success and happiness.  His faith and relationship with Jesus Christ are foundational to his finding these things and remain the guiding principles in both his personal and professional life. Scott's books can be purchased on Amazon using the following links: Formula for Success https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X226PMZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VN2VRF6T4G2WW6EK34RQ Pick Up Your Mat and Walk: A Story of Success Through Adversity       https://www.amazon.com/dp/1070664197/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZQ63AN9Y8FTVJP2RCGZX You can connect with Scott through the following: Email:  [email protected] Linked In:  https://linkedin.com/in/scott-arias-b40a3a65

Diane Oakley is a chaplain, speaker, former teacher and is currently the Homeless Coordinator for the Webster County School District in Western KY.  She has such a wonderful passion for youth and evangelism!

Diane has served in many capacities in churches, from teaching to founding two Christian youth centers in her hometown of Providence, KY.  She leads groups to evangelize and supply the homeless with needed goods as well as leading various outreaches in her church.

She is a former D1 collegiate athlete in basketball at Murray State University and has seen God open many doors to share the gospel through that experience.

You may connect with Diane through Facebook @diane.oakley1

You may also reach her by email at:  [email protected]

You are in for a treat today!  Listen in as Josh Atherton, an extremely talented 23 year-old singer/song-writer and musician from Waco, KY shares his newly published song "Run to the Father" and the testimony of his life which inspired the story. For the full song, listen to the very end!

If you would like to connect with Josh, you can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/josh.atherton.9809

To listen to Josh's amazing music, you can find him on YouTube by searching Josh Atherton.  

Welcome to Season 2 of "Live with Joy"!  

Have you ever felt so burned out and exhausted from your work that you couldn’t figure out what to do to make things better? Today’s guest reached that point in her corporate job and took a leap of faith that God had a better plan for her.

Marcy McDonald is a Transformation Coach who did just that. Her master’s degree is from the University of Virginia, where she graduated summa cum laude. She worked for more than a decade in the online course world, coaching and consulting on teaching strategies, performance, organization, and writing. She has worked with luminaries such as Neil deGrasse Tyson, plus she has developed programs with the Smithsonian, National Geographic, and Culinary Institute of America.

She’s also a participant in Season 2 of The Social Movement: 4 Days to Save the World. She’ll be teamed with 9 other visionaries to engineer financially viable solutions to such pressing world problems as ending suicide, ending world hunger, ending poverty, and cyberbullying. They’ll have 4 days to create a business plan and pitch it to investors and viewers to get their mission funded. The program will air on 8 different platforms with an expected audience of 8-10 million viewers.

In addition, Marcy has written 100s of articles and several books, including Build Happiness: Block-Based Exercises to Change Your Perspective and Change Your Life. She’s also the creator of UnBlocks™, which are 3-dimensional blocks that you can write on, wash off, move around, and even stand on. The book and the UnBlocks™ were developed based on principles of neuroscience, and she uses them in her coaching programs.

Last but not least, Marcy is an End of Life Doula, helping the dying come to peace at the end of their lives. She’s one of fewer than 40 people to attain international certification. She uses the elements of end of life review and questions about the legacy you’d leave behind if you were to die today to amplify people’s understanding about why they can’t put off changes in their lives for “some day in the future.”

To book a FREE 30-minute coaching session and to claim your FREE Guided Visualization with Marcy, you may connect with her at: https://marcymcdonald.coach/guided-visualization

For more information, visit:  https://marcymcdonald.com