Pivotal People

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!We talk with author Jean McAulay about reinvention, resilience, and why her 1972-set novel "Unexpected" makes the fight for women’s rights feel immediate again. We connect Kate’s story of widowhood and identity to the real legal, financial, and cultural barriers women faced then and still bump into now. • Jean’s blog "What Follows" and why essays about women’s transitions resonate • A life-changing house fire story and what reinvention can look like in real time • How Jean writes fiction without knowing the ending at first • Kate’s starting point in 1972: duty, confinement, sudden loss, a shocking letter • Consciousness-raising meetings and learning to name common experiences • ERA history and the fear-based arguments that slowed equality • The practical limits women lived with: banking, credit, mortgages, job ads, pregnancy rules • Subtle sexism today and how we choose our response • Why so-called soft skills are real leadership strengths • Books and research that shaped the novel, including The Feminine Mystique If you go to JeanMcAulay.com, sign up for her newsletter. The book is called "Unexpected". You can pre-order it on Amazon now.  Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!We sit down with Melanie Cox, author of the book "You Have to Know," and talk about the hidden battles so many women carry, from shame and regret to the fear that God’s love depends on performance. Melanie shares hard stories and bold truth about redemption, identity, church pain, and what changes when we start living from God’s love instead of striving for it. • why Melanie wrote "You Have to Know" after a cancer scare and what she wanted her kids to learn about God • the difference between praying from regret and praying with authority and trust • breaking the lies of not enough and too much by anchoring identity in Christ • separating God from the people who hurt you and finding healthy church community • spiritual battle language and why words, mindset, and daily relationship with God matter • striving for love versus receiving love and how that shift brings peace • Melanie’s healing journey through infertility, depression, and a renewed faith in God’s promises Find Melanie Cox on Instagram to send her a message. If you send her your email address, she will send you a free digital copy of the book. ItsMelanieCox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmelaniecox/ Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!We talk with Chick-fil-A Operator and franchisee, Wesley Key about losing his faith in seminary, building it back through one simple lunch, and learning the hard way that success cannot silence the voice that says we are not enough. We trace how awards, grief, COVID-era pressure, anxiety, and surrender reshape his leadership, his family life, and the purpose behind his book.• growing up in church while lacking personal faith roots• becoming an atheist in seminary after an ethics debate• a mentor’s persistence and a low-pressure gospel invitation• taking on the lowest volume Chick-fil-A and rebuilding with hiring and culture• community outreach built on generosity and local relationships• the hidden cost of excellence, awards, and perfectionism• grief, pandemic disruption, inflation stress, and escalating anxiety• a medication spiral that intensifies suicidal thoughts• surrender as a daily practice and the start of healing• inside-out transformation that rebuilds purpose and identity• God’s faithfulness in seasons of desert and failureTo get a free copy of Wesley's new book, you can send an email to my podcast at stephanienelson.com. We will give away five copies of Wes’ book to the first five people who respond.Wesley Key is a husband, father, Chick-fil-A Operator, and youth leader whose life has been shaped by grace, perseverance, and redemption. For nearly thirty years, he has served within the Chick-fil-A organization, building thriving teams and a culture rooted in excellence and purpose. Raised in a pastor'shome and later wrestling with doubt in seminary, Wes' own journey reflects the God who heals, transforms, and restores. He and his wife, Kelly, serve as youth leaders at Emmanuel Church, investing in the next generation, and he now leads the church's Connection Group ministry. Wes lives in Bloomington, Indiana, where he owns two Chick-fil-A restaurants and mentors young adults. Inspire. Nourish. Cultivate. is his first book. Learn more at wesleykey.com.Find him on social media: Instagram: @kellysguyFacebook: Wes Key Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!We sit down with novelist Johanna Vann to talk about writing "Where Wilted Flowers Bloom" and why a fictional story can tell the truth about grief more powerfully than a stack of nonfiction. We also share the behind-the-scenes reality of publishing, motherhood, and faith that doesn’t rely on tidy answers when life hurts. • Johanna’s path from broadcast journalism to award-winning novelist • Writing in slim margins while homeschooling and raising little kids • Hiring an editor, learning craft, and pushing past insecurity • The emotional core of "Where Wilted Flowers Bloom" and why it resonates • Grief after losing a baby and the strain it can put on marriage • Multigenerational friendship and how neighbors can become lifelines • Christian fiction without cheesy shortcuts and why platitudes can wound • Practical ways to choose community and show up for people nearby If you'd like to contact Johanna, find her on social media and send her a message. You can also find her on her website :https://www.johannavann.com/ Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/We sit down with executive coach and entrepreneur Tony Caliendo to unpack his new book “Less Over More,” a simple framework for clearing out the wrong more so we can build a life that actually fits. We talk about burnout that hides behind achievements, the hard work of redefining success, and how relationships either refill or drain our energy. • Why “less” means removing the wrong more, not living with deprivation • Tony’s turning point after chasing someone else’s definition of success in corporate hospitality and real estate • the hidden exhaustion of looking successful while feeling out of sync • choosing a small set of business values to make yes and no decisions faster • focusing on impact on self, family, team, and legacy instead of chasing numbers • the coaching process: start with what you don’t want, redefine success, rebuild identity • the “auditorium” method for friendships and protecting your front row relationships https://www.lessovermore.com/You can connect with Tony Caliendo and learn more about his coaching services, speaking opportunities, and his new book, "Less Over More." Rethinkcoaching.com is his coaching website. Instagram: @tonymcaliendohttps://www.instagram.com/tonymcaliendo/https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-caliendo-8415602b/ Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!We talk with author Melissa Miller about the strange loneliness of getting what we prayed for and still feeling overwhelmed, disoriented, or exhausted. We name change fatigue, explore why good transitions can hit the body like stress, and share practical rhythms that help us find solid ground again. • Melissa’s story of relocation, new job, and foster care adoption creating survival mode • Change fatigue defined as real strain during positive transitions • Common signs like disorientation, cynicism, resignation, shutdown sleep • Eustress versus distress and why the body struggles to separate them • Four seasons after answered prayer: blooming, building, balancing, bittersweet • Rhythms that anchor the anticipatory brain including Sabbath and simple predictability • Gratitude versus toxic positivity and learning to hold space for hard feelings • Metacognition tools to name emotions, question thoughts, and respond with compassion • Prayer walking, breath prayers, and Scripture as practical supports • WHOLE framework: wellness, heart, outlook, life with God, engagement and community The book, "But I Prayed for This: What to Do When Living in God's Yes is Harder Than You Expected"  is out. Find it wherever you buy your books. You can also learn more about Melissa and contact her directly:melissamiller.substack.com melissamillerwriter.com  Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!Alcohol can be the most accepted coping tool in the room and the hardest one to question out loud. We sit down with Christy Osborne, author of Love Life Sober and a senior sobriety coach, to talk about what happens when drinking stops feeling “fun and normal” and starts feeling like a default setting you can’t turn off, even when your life looks fine from the outside.We get honest about the social pressure to drink, the fear of being “boring” without it, and the weird push-pull of modern culture that celebrates wine everywhere while quietly warning us about alcohol’s impact on mental health, sleep, anxiety, and the brain. Christy shares her own turning point, including how grief and loss exposed the ways alcohol had become a counterfeit comfort, and why presence, connection, and joy can look completely different when you’re fully awake to your life.We also dig into the practical side: the dopamine hit that lasts about 30 minutes, the habit loop that keeps you chasing more, and why so many women fall into self-medicating without realizing it, especially in mommy wine culture. Christy explains why you don’t need a permanent label to want change, how alcohol use disorder sits on a spectrum, and how her 40-day alcohol fast is designed so you “can’t fail” because every stumble can become a growth point and real data for healing.If you’re sober curious, tired of negotiating with yourself every night, or looking for faith-based sobriety support that’s rooted in grace and clarity, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with the biggest insight you’re taking with you. Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!We sit down with Christian leader, speaker and author Kendall Mariah to talk about how doubt, discomfort, and “soul friction” can strengthen real faith instead of destroying it. We name the pain of performative Christian culture and come back to Jesus as the clearest measure of what belief should look like. • Kendall’s background in church and why asking questions builds trust • “Soul friction” as discernment and a doorway to sanctification • Why comfort-driven Christianity can block transformation • What it feels like when Christians online act unlike Christ • How 2020 intensified questions about racism, empathy, and hypocrisy • Deconstruction as rebuilding belief through better questions • How culture and context shape theology and church expectations • Fruit of the Spirit as a better measure than rulekeeping • Practical hope for people tired of pretending and ready for honest faith One of the best gifts you can give yourself is to get Kendall Mariah's book, "This Little Fire of Mine: How Flickers of Doubt Can Spark a Bolder, Brighter Faith."  Connect with and follow Kendall on many social media platforms and get her book wherever you buy your books.Kendall's website: https://kendallmariah.com/Instagram, Tik Tok: @kendallmariah Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!If you have ever hit a big milestone and immediately felt the quiet panic of “now what,” this conversation will land hard. We sit down with Dr. Dave Jones, a former professional hockey player turned Air Force veteran, sport performance psychology expert, executive coach, and Christian marketing leader, to unpack why goals can actually leave you feeling emptier when they become your identity and why a compelling vision keeps you steady through every season.We get specific about what “vision” really means and how it differs from goal setting, productivity, and achievement culture. Dr. Dave shares a simple criteria that makes vision practical: it must be short, portable, easy to understand, memorable, inspiring, and have a God factor that goes beyond personal effort. We also talk about the arrival fallacy, the danger of idolizing money and status, and how to craft a clear vision statement that can guide your decisions at work, at home, and in your community.The second half of life shows up in a big way here. If you are retired or nearing retirement and wondering whether you missed your chance to matter, we explore a better frame: constant recalibration. Along the way, we dig into “toxic motivators” fear, lust, anger, pride and the antidotes faith, giving, forgiveness, humility so you can spot what is really driving you and lead yourself with vision instead.Listen, then share this with a friend who needs direction, and please subscribe and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one short phrase that could become your vision?Connect with Dave, order his books, listen to his podcast, follow him on social media to continue learning from him. His website: https://misgood.com/His agency on IG: https://www.instagram.com/misgoodagency/Order his first book, "Vision Wins"https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Wins-Strategies-Mental-Toughness/dp/173664680X Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend!We sit down with Pam Baker, founder of "Widows Who Wine" and author of "Where's the Key to the Safe"  to talk about rebuilding life after loss through friendship, purpose, and practical preparation. We also get into the uncomfortable but essential money and paperwork realities that hit families during grief and how to make them easier. • Pam’s path from cystic fibrosis advocacy to widowhood leadership • Why Widows Who Wine is a social sisterhood rather than a grief group • How loneliness shows up after loss and what helps women rejoin life • The “business of death” and why probate tasks feel brutal in grief fog • The widow tax and the hidden ways cash flow can drop • How to choose financial help and how various fee structures work • Common traps like authorized user cards and lack of account access • Beneficiary reviews that can override a will and trigger conflict • Writing letters to children to explain decisions and reduce infighting • How to start a Widows Who Wine chapter with support from Pam and her teamConnect with Pam:Order her book: https://lastinglegacyconsulting.com/book/Connect via her website: https://widowswhowine.com/Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/widowswhowine Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMomOrder Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential