Is experiencing or expressing joy in the midst of great loss and grief a betrayal? A sign of denial? An unhealthy coping mechanism?

Author and speaker Michelle Ruddell knows joy and sorrow not only can co-exist but must if loss and grief aren't allowed to turn into bitterness. Losing her five-year-old son in a car accident while 12 weeks pregnant with her daughter, Michelle rejected the debilitating words spoken to her. Instead, she determined with God's help to not become a broken and bitter person.

In Part 1 of our conversation, Michelle shares her journey of facing her "new normal," with candor. She gives practical wisdom for the person in the midst of loss, grief, and suffering and for those who want to help. Whether it's "Don't say this" or "Do this," Michelle speaks with a rare blend of authority and tenderness.

You'll want more than one copy of Michelle's book, Welcome to the Club -- I'm Sorry You're Here. This is a great resource to keep on hand for when someone else's world comes crashing down.

Invite Michelle to speak! Your audience will absolutely come away hope-filled!

https://michelleruddell.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Club-Im-Sorry-Youre-Here/dp/1795239204/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Visit Stephanie Presents for resources, to book speaking engagements, and get the weekly newsletter, Hi(Impact)!

Click here to order your copy of The Great Brain Remodel of Adolescence or purchase from Amazon

#joy

#grief

#loss

#hope

#hopeduringgrief

#losingachild

#grievingachild

#spirituallystrong

#emotionallyhealthy

#relationships

#lifeskey3

#smartrelationships

#parenting

#raisinggodlykids

#raisingadults

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#christianfaith

#christianwomen

#christianity

Ever had somebody drop TMI (too much information!) on you when you weren't expecting it? Not fun!

While much of the world has unlimited information available at one's fingertips, TMI can be a serious problem. A warning in 2 Timothy clues us in, and we look at four specific dangers in today's episode:

1. Distraction
2. Diversion
3. Deterrent
4. Disguise

While God desires us to be people of knowledge and wisdom, this doesn't automatically mean we will be people who know or follow the truth. Learn how these four dangers are ever present and how to avoid them without going to the other extreme of TLI -- too little information!

Visit Stephanie Presents for resources, to book speaking engagements, and get the weekly newsletter, Hi(Impact)!

Click here to order your copy of The Great Brain Remodel of Adolescence or purchase from Amazon

#spirituallystrong

#emotionallyhealthy

#relationships

#lifeskey3

#smartrelationships

#parenting

#raisinggodlykids

#raisingadults

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#christianfaith

#christianwomen

#christianity

If you don't want to live ruled by fear, anxiety, or insecurity, you're going to have to fight. Each person's battles are specific and unique and may change over time. But not fighting won't keep you safe; it will only keep you hidden and ineffective.

Kim Hardy shares how we can fight , not alone, but with God on our side! Kim uses her own journey to teach women and youth how aligning our thoughts with God's truth is key to transformation and this opens the door to hope.

Kim speaks about practical steps on taking control of one's thoughts to powerful reminders about not allowing the good in life to be a replacement for anchoring one's identity in Christ.

Order Kim's book, Fighting My Battles With God On My Side, and visit with her about speaking engagements, especially for teens!

Connect with Kim at:

Website: https://www.sunflowersofhope.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardykim82

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardyk82/

Email: info@sunflowersofhope.com.

Amazon book link:

https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-My-Battles-God-Side/dp/1951350979/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

#hope

#spiritualbattle

#spirituallystrong

#emotionalhealth

#relationships

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#christianfaith

#christianwomen

#christianity

#lifeskey3

#kimhardy

#sunflowersofhope

Emily Dickinson's infamous line, "Hope is a thing with feathers" can leave us thinking that hope is light, fanciful, and flighty. But true hope is like concrete anchored deep in bedrock.

Author and speaker Kim Hardy knows the immense need for hope after losing her father at a young age and her beloved brother as a young married woman. In her training as a teacher she began to realize how her unrecognized and unresolved issues were keeping her from a full life.

Along her journey of growth, her relationship with God changed as she saw him not as a distant figure but of being right next to her. He wasn't there to condemn but to help and give hope!

Order Kim's book, Fighting My Battles With God On My Side, and visit with her about speaking engagements, especially for teens!

Connect with Kim on socials at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardykim82

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardyk82/

Email: info@sunflowersofhope.com.

Amazon book link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1951350979?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_9YPRQ4FHX1HH2DAJNR7Q

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

#spirituallystrong

#emotionalhealth

#relationships

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#christianfaith

#christianwomen

#christianity

#lifeskey3

#hope

#hopeforthehurting

Ever had a conversation take a hard left turn that you never saw coming?

Therapist Donna Scott explains how underlying issues can trigger or blow-up conflict and how to handle it successfully. In Part 2 of "Honey, I Shrunk the Conflict," Donna unpacks:

• Time-out and time-in when a conversation gets hijacked
• The importance of validation
• The difference between validation and agreement
• How empathy and apologies don't always go together

Visit Donna's website for her book, The Tapestry of Trauma, and to learn about her counseling, coaching, and speaking engagements!

https://www.donnascotttherapy.com/

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

#spirituallystrong

#emotionalhealth

#relationships

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#christianfaith

#christianwomen

#christianity

#lifeskey3

#activelistening

#validation

#empathy

#conflict

#conflictresolution

#donnascott

Does navigating conflict in one or more relationships feel like scaling Mt. Everest?

Try "LUV!"

Therapist, coach, speaker, and author Donna Scott shows how "LUV" can shrink overwhelming conflict to a manageable size. The goal isn't the elimination of conflict (an impossibility!) but to approach it as a way to grow both you and your relationship.

In Part 1 of our conversation, Donna makes active listening understandable and explains the dangers of assumptions. You will learn:

• What grows conflict and what to do instead
• The difference between criticism and complaints
• The cost of contempt -- whether spoken or unspoken
• The 5-1 rule of encouragement

Donna provides an invaluable action you can start taking today: Ask one clarifying question!

Visit Donna's website for her book, The Tapestry of Trauma, and to learn about her counseling practice, speaking engagements, and other resources.

https://www.donnascotttherapy.com/

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

#spirituallystrong

#emotionalhealth

#relationships

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#christianfaith

#christianwomen

#christianity

#lifeskey3

#conflict

#conflictresolution

#activelistening

#donnascott

Links referenced in this episode:

• donnascotttherapy.com
• stephaniepresents.com

"Perfect pastor's wife" Cheryl Lutz exchanged her shaky identity, dependent on keeping others happy, with one grounded in accepting Christ's love. She continues sharing her hope-filled message in the second part of our conversation.

Today's highlights include:

• The importance of recognizing patterns in ourselves that point to a need for growth and/or healing
• Discerning when to seek counsel and what kind
• The necessary, albeit often difficult role, of community in the healing process
• How emotional and relational maturity is equally important to spiritual knowledge
• Why self-awareness is vital in recognizing the messages triggers and emotional responses are trying to teach

Visit Cheryl's website to order her book, find other resources, and inquire about her speaking ministry! https://www.cheryllutz.com/

Order Securely Held: Finding Significance and Security in the Shelter of God's Embrace for yourself and recommend for your ladies' event, small group, or Bible study!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

#spirituallystrong

#emotionalhealth

#relationships

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#christianfaith

#christianwomen

#christianity

#lifeskey3

#identity

#identityinchrist

#cheryllutz

#securelyheld

#emotionalstability

#emotionalintelligence

Cheryl Lutz shares how she moved from "perfect" pastor's wife to secure daughter of God! and how to exchange people pleasing for a secure identity.

Cheryl courageously shares her personal journey, revealing how past traumas and the relentless pursuit of perfection—a misguided endeavor often cloaked in spirituality—can lead to profound emotional and physical crises.

Cheryl uses her experience as a clarion call for listeners to reassess their own identities and the roots of their emotional struggles. She wants others to know that true security and significance are found in their relationship with God, rather than in societal approval, even if that society is other Christians.

A certified Bible counselor and author of the impactful book Securely Held: Finding Significance and Security in the Shelter of God's Embrace, Cheryl brings hope to the pervasive issue of insecurity and the incessant human desire for validation.

Connect with Cheryl at: www.CherylLutz.com and order a copy of her book, Securely Held: Finding Significance and Security in the Shelter of God's Embrace.

Check out her other merch and availability as a speaker!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

#spirituallystrong

#emotionalhealth

#relationships

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#christianfaith

#christianwomen

#christianity

#lifeskey3

#cheryllutz

#identityinchrist

#emotionalstability

#identity