Get Up Girl

This week, we have a familiar voice on the podcast ... Mrs. Peri Reed! Peri joins us this time to discuss the topic of spiritual abuse. If you have not heard that phrase before, we encourage you to stick around and give this a listen. If you have heard that phrase before ... we encourage you to stick around and give this a listen! Peri has so much knowledge to offer on this  topic that is making its way to the frontlines in more and more conversations. We believe you will walk away more informed and empowered after listening to what Peri has to offer today!    LISTENER WARNING:  This episode contains conversation about many forms of abuse. If you are a survivor of any type of abuse, we encourage you to listen with care and pause and step away from this conversation, if needed. If, after listening to this conversation, you need to explore and process deeper into this topic, we advise you to reach out to a trusted source for further care.    MENTIONS: When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat The Twisting of the Sacred by Paula Swindle  Sacred Intersections Podcast Redeeming Power of Abuse by Diane Langberg Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Lisa Oakley Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa TerKeurst  See what all Peri is doing in the counseling world HERE    

Hi Friends! We are so thrilled you stopped by to join us for a great conversation today. Thank you for being here!  In this episode, I sit down with my friend, Holly Polonski as she discusses her journey through cancer at the young age of 22. She walks us through her physical journey AND her faith journey as she had to navigate this season of life shortly after losing her mother. Holly is a wife, mama, teacher and skin care enthusiast with some temporary tattoos that are still with her almost 20 years later (listen in for more on that!).  Not to mention she just celebrated 19 YEARS CANCER FREE, all due to the healing power of Jesus!  MENTIONS:  Good Grief by Granger Westberg Skin care = self care. Find out more about Rodan + Fields. CONNECT: Holly's Happy Skin makes us want happy skin  Connect with Holly on IG Connect with Holly on FB

Hi Friends! For this episode, I sit down with wife, mama of 4, author of many, speaker, and encourager, Laura Smith. Laura is one of those people that, once you are in her presence, you feel like you can just take a breath. She has such a calming and soothing nature about her and everything that comes out of her mouth radiates Jesus. Not to mention that everything she puts a pen to flourishes!  Laura is a best-selling author and strives to find the beauty of God in everything. She is passionate about sharing the love and truth of Jesus everywhere she goes. She is a professional coffee drinker and chocolatier, and her newest book, Restore My Soul, releases July 5, 2022!   MENTIONS: Get Laura's newest book here  Listen to that girl Betsy's interview here For all you Harry Potter lovers  READS: The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom How Sweet the Sound by Laura Smith  CONNECT: Visit Laura's website and see all she is up to here  Find and follow Laura on Instagram  Find and follow Laura on Facebook   

Hey gals! Welcome to this week's episode with the ever-beautiful Esther Marie. This conversation is unique because Esther and I are talking for the first time ... like ... EVER. Through the beauty of technology, Esther and I have connected and she agreed to come on the podcast and share her story. How wild is that!! Esther is passionate about helping singles learn to love their life and discover their full potential. With a background in theological studies and humanitarian relief, Esther’s message offers Biblical truth paired with satirical stories to guide you along your journey of self-discovery. You can catch Esther riding waves near her home in California or playing with her nieces and nephews.  MENTIONS: Esther's devotional on YouVersion  Esther's website  20% off "Single Shouldn't Suck" with code GETUPGIRL: Get it here  Read it: The Nonreligious Guide to Dating and Being Single | Hooked: The Brain Science on How Causal Sex Affects Human Development Cool people: Bob Goff | Donald Miller  Watch it: Gilmore Girls coffee IV Make your bed!! The doctor says so: Read about it 

Pull up a chair as Angie Haigler graces us with her presence on the podcast today. If you have the honor of knowing Angie, you know what a light she is. And if you don't know her yet, you will feel like you are sitting in her living room by the end of this conversation! Angie discusses her faith walk with Jesus from an abusive childhood environment to living the fast-paced life as teen and young adult to encountering the love of God in a raw and real way. Her walk with Jesus led her straight into full time ministry where she and her husband now pastor a church that has changed the face of their city.    Mentions:  Church: Check out Justin and Angie's church here  Read: Chasing Daylight  Pop Culture: Prince | King of Pop | Open Eyes   ** If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, we encourage you to call the National Domestic Violence hotline or visit their website here **

Join me as I chat with Jacqueline, a survivor of the sex industry. Today, Jacqueline so bravely shares her testimony of her life in the sex trade, how she made it out, and what God has done in and through her on the other side. Jacqueline is not only a survivor, but she is now an advocator for those who have walked this road and those who are still in exploitation.  LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED: This episode contains sensitive content related to sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. We advise listeners be over the age of 13.    RESOURCES ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Organizations: a21 campaign | Treasures | Hookers for Jesus | Polaris Project | Children of the Night Documentaries: Nefarious: Merchant of Souls (faith based) | I Am Jane Doe  Reads: Scars & Stilletos | Trophy of Grace (Both faith based) Stats: Here | Here | and Here   WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? 1. Pray. Seek God on how you can get involved. Maybe it is through serving with an organization. Maybe it is giving financially or with your time. Maybe it is being a prayer warrior and partner with others in your community. There are so many ways to be involved! 2. Educate yourself & others! Have the discussion with your family, friends, and co workers. Know the signs and how to report.  3. Give. Find an organization that is on the ground and give! Whether that is financially, donations, or giving of your time, your gifts, your skills .. whatever it may be, there are plenty of ways for you to give! 

Join me as I chat with my friend, Betsy Haddox!  Betsy is the author of over 15 novels and novellas. As a divorce and single mama survivor, Betsy has a deep rooted passion to seeing women restored in Christ. Today, Betsy speaks on healing from the trauma of divorce, navigating life as a single parent, and how Jesus restored and returned everything that was lost to the fullest. Betsy speaks with peace, passion, and courage as she shares her story. I hope your heart is encouraged today!    Episode Mentions:  Read: Wild at Heart | Captivating Connect with Betsy here and here and here  Reads from Betsy: Love Arrives in Pieces | The Key to Love    Other reads mentioned: The Story of With | Chaos Can't  Pop culture references: Cadbury Eggs | Ice Ice Baby

Get ready to laugh today as I chat with my soul sista, Peri Reed (but just wait until you hear her full name). Peri oozes joy because she knows what it is like to go through the fire and come out on the other side without even smelling of smoke. Today she shares her testimony of losing her father at a young age and how that changed the trajectory of her choices and her lifestyle well into her adult years. She speaks on the detrimental effects of abuse and trauma, the power of healing through Jesus Christ and, of course ... the Twilight Saga.  

For this episode, I chat with my sister from another mister, Shera Dye. She discusses her experiences with abandonment from an early age, surviving a miscarriage in her late teens, and a car accident that should have taken her life but, instead, led her back to Jesus. By a miracle of God, she not only survived but she THRIVED. She defied everything the doctors said would plague her for the rest of her life. And today, she shares her recovery journey physically, mentally, and spiritually.    BOOKS: Beyond Awkward Side Hugs by Bronwyn Lea America's Expiration Date by Cal Thomas Enter Wild by Carlos Whittaker    Connect with Shera!  IG: sheradye FB: Shera Dye 

This week, I sit with my enneagram wizard and oily lover, Holly, as she shares her journey of grieving the loss of her mother to a brain tumor at the young age of 11. She discusses how God has continuously shown Himself faithful throughout her adolescence, young adulthood, and now becoming a mother herself. Her walk with grief has not been a light one, but Holly stands on this side of the road with a joy and fullness of life that is breathtaking.  Books: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers  The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile Becoming Us by Beth & Jeff McCord    Podcasts:  Typology with Ian Morgan Cron    Connect with Holly! IG: essentiallyholls // hollsmeyer // popballoons_shv FB: Holly Meyer   

We are celebrating ONE YEAR of Get Up Girl!! What a year it has been. And we could not be more thrilled for the guest of the one year birthday episode. For this extra special chat, I sit with my favorite Puerto Rican Princess, Ms. Liz. Known to many as a mother, a prayer warrior, a friend, a safe place, and a spicy mamasita, Ms. Liz discusses her life story not from the standpoint of a victim, but from the perspective of a warrior. As a survivor of sexual abuse, drug addiction, abortion recovery, and devastating loss, she shares her life story from someone who has weathered the storm but found a love greater than life on the other side. I have no doubt that her story and her faith will encourage you today.    EPISODE NOTES:   BOOKS: Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God by Francis Frangipane  The Fear of the Lord by John Bevere    COMMUNITY SERVICES: CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates - www.nationalcasagal.org

Hey friends! In today's episode, I have a heart to heart with my dear friend, Nicole Dunn, as she unpacks her journey of intense hardship during pregnancy, multiple miscarriages, and the sting of loneliness and depression. This is a topic that I have found is not discussed often amongst women. The more conversations I have had, I continue to discover more "me too's" and "same, girl" responses. So why aren't we talking about this? Maybe it is because we don't want to revisit the wound. Maybe we are fearful of the shame we may feel if we voice our true thoughts. I'm sure the list is endless. But today, I wanted to bring these topics to the light. I wanted to discuss the hard things and find the freedom that Jesus brings us in those times! And Nicole is walking, breathing proof that Jesus shows up, heals, and restores everything that has been lost. I hope you find encouragement in Nicole's story today. DISCLAIMER: Some of the topics discussed are very heavy and may be triggering. If anything discussed here today triggers anxiety, pain, shame, etc. we encourage you to reach out to someone and talk it through. Please do not walk this road alone!    EPISODE NOTES: Books: 1. Grace Over Perfection - Emily Ley 2. What is the Bible - Rob Bell 3. Garden City - John Mark Comer  4. Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - John Mark Comer    Connect with Nicole!  IG: n_i_c_o_l_e_d_u_n_n  

Today on the podcast, I sit at the feet of the ever wise "Mama Kym". I call her mama Kym because, well, you'll understand when you hear her voice. Mrs. Kym was diagnosed with aggressive and invasive breast cancer 8 years ago. She walks us through her physical journey of living with cancer, the mental battle that took place, and the spiritual battle that won her heart. She is absolutely RADIANT and I believe you will enjoy sitting under the wisdom of her voice!  In her spare time, Mama Kym raises butterflies (WHAT?! A true princess), she is a potter, and she leads her own prison ministry. She is basically everything I want to be. To connect with Mama Kym and see what she is up to, refer to the episode notes below. EPISODE NOTES: Books: 1. The Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan 2. The End of Me by Kyle Idleman 3. Breakfast with Bonhoeffer by Jon Walker    Connect with Mama Kym:  FB: kymallenstrahan IG: bearsmother Blog: "Abide" - btskas.wordpress.com   

This week, I chat with my boss friend and missionary chick, Neely Williams. Neely discusses her 7 year journey with drug addiction and how that road to recovery lead her around the world for missions. She and her husband currently serve on a staff position at their home church. They have a beautiful 3 year old little girl and this family is all about the mission field! Neely radiates peace wherever she is and it definitely permeates a room. This girl is the REAL DEAL, y'all!  NOTES: Books 1. Everybody's Normal Til You Get to Know Them - John Ortberg 2. Unshakable Hope - Max Lucado 3. Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers 4. Jesus Calling - Sarah Young   Neely's skin care wonder: https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/   Connect with Neely! IG: neelydon FB: Neely Williams   Northpoint Community Church: www.ncc.team  

Offense ... That's a scary word to some. To others, it's a dear friend. We have ALL been hurt by those we trust in one way or another, inside or outside of "the church". We are all part of the same heartbeat of Jesus. So what do we do when those we look up to and trust hurt us?  Britnye is walking proof that you can get offended .... and then get over it.  Today on the podcast, I sit down with my one of my closest sisters, Britnye Tidwell. She discusses a season that she and her husband, Matt, endured while serving as the student pastors on staff at a church. Their time there did not go as they would have hoped and Britnye experienced her first bout with heartache and disappointment from leadership within the church walls. Britnye had a prime opportunity to get bitter and offended and walk out. BUT she didn't. She and Matt chose to walk in forgiveness and honor towards their pastors and she shares what that was like for her heart and how she learned to trust leadership again.    EPISODE NOTES: Books: 1. Girl, Stop Apologizing - Rachel Hollis 2. Year of Yes - Shonda Rhimes 3. Approval Addiction - Joyce Meyer   Reed Timmer - Master storm chaser @reedtimmeraccu   Connect with Britnye!  IG: britnyetidwell FB: Britnye Burrow Tidwell  Northpoint Community Church: www.ncc.team 

This week, I sit down and chat (but mostly laugh) with my sweet soul sister, Andrea West. Andrea discusses a season of her life when paralyzing depression and anxiety set in. What I find interesting about Andrea's story is that this battle came on her AFTER she surrendered her heart and committed to a life of following Jesus. She speaks to the myths of depression, the battle that took place in her mind, and the fight that she had to fight in her heart. Depression and anxiety are very real and very present among too many of us. I love that Andrea speaks not only from a place of experience with this, but a place of VICTORY! I believe you will glean some good nuggets of wisdom from her!  Andrea and her husband serve as the youth pastors at their home church in Shreveport, Louisiana. She is also a mother of two boys, an ESL teacher, a lover of life and a joyful soul.    EPISODE NOTES: Books: 1. Love the Way to Victory - Kenneth Hagin 2. Loving Our Kids on Purpose - Danny Silk  3. Power of a Praying Parent - Stormie Omartian 4. Everybody Always - Bob Goff 5. The Daniel Dilemma - Chris Hodges  6. Any book by Lynn Austin   Go check out www.wordoflifecenter.org to connect with Andrea!

This week, I sit down and chat with my sweet friend, Clarrissa, as she explains it all (get it???). But really ... Clarrissa and I talk about everything from single parenthood to addiction to racial divides. She opens up about what it felt like to not fit in with any type of "group" growing up because of the color of her skin. She discusses the challenges she faced as a single mother, working two jobs, just trying to make it day by day while living out of a hotel. Clarrissa has also been a victim of domestic abuse and she walks us through her life during that abusive relationship and how she found freedom and safety from her abuser.  Clarrissa is a SURVIVOR, no doubt about it. I believe you will be so encouraged through her story. She has one of the kindest, most gentle hearts of anyone I have ever met. And that heart shines, even behind a microphone!! She and her husband, Dale, along with her two kiddos serve faithfully at their home church. She is a WWII nerd, a lover of people, a gifted writer, and she is also currently in school to earn her license in Christian Counseling! WHAT. A. WOMAN.    EPISODE NOTES: Books: 1. Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren 2. Bait of Satan - John Bevere 3. Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn - John Maxwell 4. Lead Like Jesus - Ken Blanchard    Connect with Clarrissa!! website: rissaj316.wixsite.com IG: @clarrissastephens

Hey friends! Enjoy a sneak peek of my chat with my dear friend, Clarrissa! Her full interview will be up on Monday, August 19th! 

For our first chat, I sit down with my Panamanian beauty of a friend, Mo, as she shares her heart about a crisis she and her husband walked through about 7 years into their marriage. They now stand on the other side of this crisis in unity and strength and are passionate about helping marriages all over the world find purpose and fulfillment. Mo and Bo (how cute is THAT?!) are committed to the heart of marriage and that is made evident everywhere they go. They gush over each other; it's really the cutest thing in the world, y'all. (insert all the feel good emojis and fuzzies, here)   EPISODE NOTES: 1. Mo's lash booster formula:  - castor oil - 10 - 15 drops lavender oil - 10 - 15 drops rosemary oil - 10 - 15 drops cedar wood oil  - Put in an empty mascara tube and swipe over your lashes before bed! Then go flutter those bad boys and make all your friends jealous.    2. Book references:  - Chase the Lion by Mark Batterson - Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron - Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers    Connect with Mo on social media!!  IG: @mo_wilkinson FB: bo N mo wilkinson  SITE: http://www.maureenwilkinson.com/blog/        

Hey Folks, Welcome to Get Up Girl! I am so excited for you to hear from my friend Maureen aka "Mo" next week!  But to hold you over until then, here is a sneak peek of our chat together!