Psychological flexibility transforms how we mother and mature. I welcome psychologist Jill Stoddard to explore how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help women navigate anxiety, stress, and the challenges of parenting with more significant presence and authenticity.

• Understanding psychological flexibility as being present, being open to internal experiences, and making value-aligned choices.
• Learning that values are how we appear in life—not feelings, outcomes, or others' behaviors.
• Recognizing avoidance patterns: The Doer, The Hider, The Compulsive, The Thinker, and The Otherer.

• Practicing mindful willingness through simple exercises like changing hand positions or breathing techniques.
• Breaking the cycle of resistance with the mantra: "This is uncomfortable, but it's just a feeling. It is not dangerous; it is temporary, and I can handle it."
• Distinguishing between acceptance of internal experiences (ACT) and radical acceptance of external reality (DBT).
• Finding ways to apply ACT principles during challenging parenting moments with young children.

Take the quiz to discover your avoidance pattern at jillstoddard.com/quizzes and explore Jill's books "Be Mighty" and "Impostor No More" for guided exercises on developing psychological flexibility.

Be sure to check out Jill's "Two-Minute Tips" on Substack.

Support the show

Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
6. Make a tax-deductible donation through Heartlift International

Today is National Picture Book Day, so we celebrate by bringing the voices of Rob and Amy Dixon to the table. In this episode, I speak with Amy and Rob Dixon about their new picture book, Penny Preaches, which helps normalize girls in church leadership roles. We:

• Explore the theological frameworks of complementarianism versus egalitarianism in church settings.
• Understand how women's leadership gifts remain untapped – "the church has been trying to fulfill the Great Commission with half the team on the bench."
• Discuss the importance of representation and modeling in helping children envision possibilities: "It's hard to be what you can't see."
• Look at how to raise children with an egalitarian mindset through transparency and collaboration.
• Respond to resistance with "convictions held with humility" rather than combativeness.
• Unleash the powerful message that "God gives good gifts to everyone" regardless of gender.

Order this powerful children's book: Penny Preaches

Learn more abut Rob's books: Dr. Rob Dixon

Learn more about Amy's other children's books: Amy Dixon Books

Support the show

Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
6. Make a tax-deductible donation through Heartlift International

Tracy Braylock, holistic nurse and well-being advocate, joins us in exploring the revolutionary concept of relaxation as a radical act of faith. We discuss how believers can engage their God-designed relaxation response to exist in a state of peace regardless of external circumstances. In this episode, Tracie and I discuss:

• Understanding radical relaxation as removing stress from its root like a radical medical procedure.
• Learning to identify our divinely designed relaxation response and intentionally engage it daily.
• Recognizing when we've misidentified ourselves by our stress or health conditions rather than our God-given identity.
• Teaching children relaxation practices through breathing, meditation, and mindful moments.
• Viewing relaxation as a spiritual practice that requires trusting God with our productivity and deadlines.
• Addressing the compounded stress our bodies have stored over years or decades.
• Practicing self-awareness by noticing when we participate in our stress response.
• Finding personalized relaxation triggers through nature, writing, aromatherapy, or play.
• Embracing the counterintuitive truth that "a calm life is a strong life."

Visit Tracie's website and order her new book: Radical Relaxation

Learn more on Tracie's Substack: The Remedy

Learn more about Aromatherapy: A Beginner's Guide

Support the show

Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
6. Make a tax-deductible donation through Heartlift International