This Isn’t the Story I Wanted (Episode 397)

You were created with purpose, and what God placed inside of you matters. Jennifer shares some encouragement that the world is waiting for the perfect version of you to show up. Resources:What If You're Doing Better Than You Think by Jennifer Watson

You are a matriarch. Whether you can receive those words easily or tend to resist them because you don’t feel worthy, they’re still true. Paige Allen, author of Matriarchs, takes us deeper into the stories of biblical matriarchs and helps us see why they matter for our stories too. ResourcesMatriarchs by Paige Allen

Suzie shares three tender lessons from her cancer journey—permission to feel, the power of people showing up, and the hope found in small steps.Resource: Prayer Starters: Talking to God in Hard Times by Suzie Eller

When life doesn’t turn out the way we hoped, it’s a valid loss. But so many of us don’t know how to process our grief and disappointment. Nicole Langman, author of This Isn’t The Story I Wanted, joins us for an honest, helpful conversation that we’re still thinking about. ResourcesThis Isn’t the Story I Wanted by Nicole Langman

Holley shares five simple, practical ways to care for and train your brain so it can keep growing, adapting, and thriving at every age.

Feeling overwhelmed, brain fog, hormones, and so many other things can affect our brains. We talk about how we can approach ourselves in each season with curiosity and compassion. Holley also derails the conversation with a random question, “What dog breed is your brain?” 365 Truths for Every Woman’s Heart by Holley (download a free excerpt at HolleyGerth.com/365)

Some of the best memories aren’t the big, picture-perfect moments. They’re the ordinary ones that somehow become family stories. Jennifer shares some encouragement about not just numbering our days, but noticing them. ResourcesYou’re Doing Better Than You Think by Jennifer Watson

What stories do you retell? We share some of ours, which leads to recognizing a surprising thread they all have in common that inspires us to change how we’re part of the stories in the lives of others too. ResourcesGenerous Orchid by Suzanne Eller

Holley shares a gentle reminder that neither we nor others were meant to be reduced to labels, assumptions, or stereotypes. Every person is living a story God knows and loves completely.Resources: 365 Truths For Every Woman's Heart by Holley Gerth

How do we see each other as humans with stories rather than simply stereotypes? We talk about what it means to learn each other and how doing so can reflect the image and heart of God. ResourcesWhat If You’re Doing Better Than You Think? by Jennifer Renee Watson