The Alli Worthington Show

Hey friend! Have you ever wondered if your past is too much for God to use you? What can He do with all of the ways we struggle? Have you ever bargained or wrestled with God?  One of my favorite guests (and fan-favorite!) Max Lucado is here to talk with us about it all today.  Called “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, Max is the bestselling author of 45 books and counting. He is a pastor and speaker who says he “writes books for people who don’t read books.” Max is a father of three, grandfather of two, and he lives with his wife in San Antonio.  In his newest book, God Never Gives Up on You: What Jacob’s Story Teaches Us About Grace, Mercy, and God’s Relentless Love, Max examines the life of Jacob in Scripture, how God loved and pursued Jacob, and what that means for us.  Join Max and I for a great conversation as we talk about:  Where he gets his  book ideas Why there aren’t as many books about Jacob as there are about biblical heroes like Daniel and David How to discern when our understanding of God has become too small Why Max connects with and treasures the story of Jacob God’s faithfulness to his people, no matter what You’ll also love hearing my chat with Max about how to have hope in a divided world. Check it out here. Favorite quotes: “In the story of Jacob he is hot and cold, in and out, weak, and then he’s strong. He has dreams and then he wrestles with God. Then he falls and flops. It is every person’s story.” “Jacob’s relationship is a transactional relationship with God. You do this. I’ll do that. That really strikes home with many of us.” “All of us go through some negotiation or transactional relationship with God.” “It is okay to wrestle with these things. Ultimately there is one authority and it is not you or me.” “Be kind to yourself. God hasn’t given up on you. Don’t give up on yourself.” Coaching this week:  Three truths about business you won’t find anywhere else on the internet.  (31:40) Links to great things we discussed:  Max Lucado Website God Never Gives Up on You: What Jacob’s Story Teaches Us About Grace, Mercy, and God’s Relentless Love These Days - Jackson Browne The Chosen 1883 1923 PXG Golf Irons The Wino and I Know - Jimmy Buffett Migration - Jimmy Buffett The Coach School The Coach School Instagram 3 Secrets to Become a Successful Coach Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli https://www.alliworthington.com  

In a recent survey, 3,000 people were asked, “Do you feel like you are living up to your full potential?” I was shocked to find out that 96% of them said no! How did we get here, and how can we change that?  My friend Jon Acuff and I had a great conversation all about our potential: what “potential” refers to, how we can reach it, and some pitfalls to avoid along the way. If you want to close the gap between your dreams and your reality without causing yourself to burn out in the process, this conversation is for you!!  Jon is one of INC’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers and the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including his most recent, All It Takes Is a Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential. He’s a husband and dad to two teenage girls, living outside Nashville.  Lean in and listen as Jon and I discuss:  How to get around the massive barrier between you and what you want to do? (Jon calls this barrier “the vision wall”) The difference between a high performer and a high achiever A fun tool that creates gratitude, teaches the superpower of self-awareness and will help you be present The only reason people leave their comfort zones The connection between personal responsibility and potential Jon’s last visit to the show was equally amazing, especially for parents of teens. The things we believed as teenagers can be so impactful. It is so encouraging to think about how the teens in our lives can learn to create new thoughts that lead to actions and even better results. Be sure to listen in to find out how! Favorite quotes: “You should dream but when your dream is divorced from reality it doesn’t end in a healthy marriage.” “Excellence is boring.” “Potential is the gap between your vision and your reality.”  “You're the CEO of your actions, not the CEO of your outcomes. Focus on those actions.” “The Best Moments list starts to teach you about what you want in the future. The list reflects your past, informs your present, and prepares your future.” “The only reason people leave the comfort zone is because what’s on the outside is better than what’s on the inside.”  “The harder the challenge, the kinder the words.” Coaching this week:  Automatic thoughts that can stop you from starting a business and how to battle them. (45:14) Links to great things we discussed:  Jon Acuff Website Jon Acuff Instagram All It Takes Is a Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential Homesick - Noah Kahan Busy Child - The Crystal Method The Grand Tour  BritBox Bose Headphones Leuchtturm Notebooks PowerSheets The Coach School The Coach School Instagram 3 Secrets to Become a Successful Coach Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli https://www.alliworthington.com  

Hey friend! Worry seems to be a routine part of life these days. As parents, it feels like we worry non-stop even though we don’t want our kids to worry. Is it even possible to reduce that anxiety?  My friend Sissy Goff has written amazing resources on raising worry-free kids, but her newest book, The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too, is a resource for grown-ups.  What we do with our worry as parents impacts our kids more than we know, and that’s why Sissy and I went all in, both in this conversation and in our recent books. This conversation is too important not to!  Sissy is the author of multiple books and co-host of The Raising Boys and Girls podcast. She is a counselor who works with kids and their families in Nashville.  Join Sissy and I as we talk about:  Why this was the right book for Sissy to write, both as an author and as a therapist Best practices you can use if you find yourself struggling with anxiety, especially as a mom Five ways parents tend to respond to anxiety in our kids One common denominator Sissy sees in people of all ages who deal with anxiety How being hard on ourselves impacts our kids  Sissy’s advice for parents of perfectionists And after living through a pandemic, we are all uncertain, anxious and even a little bit cranky about things going back to normal. As adults, we have a lifetime of practice building coping strategies that work for our individual personalities and lifestyles. But what about our kids?  Don’t miss our previous conversation about the state of our kids in a post-pandemic world and how we can better support them. Favorite quotes: “Anxious parents raise anxious children.” “Anxiety spreads by the way we respond.” “Be present in the moment rather than focused on the only time you have left.” “Right now even more concerning is that parents feel like failures more than ever before.” “The way we  talk to ourselves is going to spill over onto others.” “You need to fail in front of your kids and laugh at yourself when you do it.” Coaching this week:  The Stages of Delegation  (37:09) Links to great things we discussed:  Sissy Goff Website Sissy Goff Instagram The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too Goodness of God - Cece Winans Tom Lake The Bear K. McCarthy Meg 2 New York State of Mind - Billy Joel Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z Welcome to New York - Taylor Swift Ciate Dewy Blush The Coach School The Coach School Instagram 3 Secrets to Become a Successful Coach Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli www.alliworthington.com  

Hey hey! We’ve all had times when we wanted to quit, but why do some people lean in and stick with it when others check out? The answer to that question may surprise you!  My friend Bianca Juarez Olthoff wrote the book on grit and resilience, and we had a fantastic conversation about just that. What she learned while writing this book is both fascinating and encouraging, and I can’t wait for you to hear it! Bianca is a Bible teacher, host of the “We’re Going There” podcast, and author of three books, including her newest, Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option. She is passionate about helping people live counter-culturally and significantly.  Bianca and I don’t hold back today!  Lean in and listen as we discuss:  The lost art of perseverance in a world where most things are easy and fast Encouragement (and a permission slip!) for when you feel behind 3 key elements of resilience (the best news: these are 3 things we can learn and practice) 3 people you should meet with before you decide to quit anything What kills our grit (and how to protect it)   Why our thought lives matter more than we know And don't miss Bianca's challenge results in the P. S. at the end of the show notes! Favorite quotes: “The best things in life will cost you the most and take you the longest.” “Keep going! Just because it is hard doesn’t mean you're not supposed to do it. Good things are hard.” “There are three key elements to people who are resilient and they are learnable and actionable.”  “Can you find a purpose for this season and make the most of it? Those are the people that are the grittiest and successful.” “Our mind matters so let’s make sure we are mindful of what we are thinking.” "Bet on yourself and invest in yourself. It is the one investment that is going to pay you back 100 times and you can’t lose." Coaching this week:  What is the best investment you can make in your business?  (34:43) Links to great things we discussed:  Bianca Juarez Olthoff Website Bianca Juarez Olthoff Instagram Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option The Coach School The Coach School Instagram You Will Be Saved - Elevation Rhythm The Count of Monte Cristo Stephen Curry: Underrated Quarterback Noni Glow Face Oil Tumeric Glow Moisturizer  3 Secrets to Become a Successful Coach Lost Discovery Cove Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli P.S. Face Oil Challenge results: After a week of trials, the surprise results are in and Bianca isn't using face oil anymore! Stay tuned for more of my favorite recommendations in each episode of the show. https://www.alliworthington.com  

Hey friend! Have you ever struggled to tell the difference between making sure your needs are met and being selfish? Is there a difference? Lean in – today’s conversation is for you!  As we continue to talk about Remaining You While Raising Them and the secret art of confident motherhood, I couldn’t miss the chance to bring you a replay of a conversation I got to have last fall with a friend who is a pro on boundaries and showing up to your life with the best of yourself. You’ll discover how to set boundaries with care and compassion.  My friend Dr. Alison Cook is a Boston-based psychologist and author of two books, Boundaries for Your Soul and The Best of You.  She is a wife and mom to two adult children, and she specializes in bringing faith and psychology together for real change in people’s lives.  Join Alison and I for this conversation as we talk about:  How to find the healthy middle between never thinking of ourselves and only thinking of ourselves  Some commonly used (and misunderstood!) Scriptures that keep women playing small  Signs to look for when women give up on parts of themselves (and how to find our way back)  What it costs our loved ones when we shrink ourselves  Why noticing and naming struggles we see in ourselves is so essential to becoming whole Favorite quotes: “You can trust God and still feel anxious, overwhelmed, lonely, and broken inside.” “When I hide myself, make myself invisible, or play like a doormat it is not only bad for me, I’m not bringing the best of who I am to the people I love.” “When I’m really being my true self , when I’m aligned with myself, I’m empowering  other people which is what helps them heal and become who they really need to be.” “We are worth so much more than numbing through all the various ways we can check out. God wants so much more for us.” “When women are healthy we change the world.” Coaching this week:  What is the biggest mistake people make when starting a new project?  (41:41) Links to great things we discussed:  Alison Cook Website Alison Cook Instagram Alison Cook Facebook Boundaries for Your Soul The Best of You Easy on Me - Adele Abbott Elementary Armchair Expert Podcast Smartless Podcast Being Known Podcast The Ragamuffin Gospel Ruthless Trust Mattress Pads for Camping The Bear Christ Be In My Heart - Sam McCabe & Kristene DiMarco Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli https://www.alliworthington.com    

Hey hey! Have you lost yourself in the demands of motherhood? Have you wondered if it’s possible to care for yourself well in the midst of a full life?  Today’s show is a special one, featuring the first two chapters of my newest book, Remaining You While Raising Them: The Secret Art of Confident Motherhood. This is not a parenting book about your children- those books are already out there! This is a motherhood book, and it’s about you. I wrote Remaining You While Raising Them to help women find freedom from the heavy weight of modern motherhood. I can’t give you a step-by-step plan to raise perfect children (an impossible dream!), but I can help you thrive as a happier, healthier mom.  Listen in on these audio chapters to hear:  One thing that bonds all moms together (besides our fierce love for our children) Personal stories from my own motherhood journey with five sons The shocking truth about the greatest gift we can give our kids Why motherhood is not just about what you do, but who you are (and what your kids will remember) Favorite quotes: “I had no idea motherhood would be my greatest joy and also the hardest thing I would ever do. I wasn’t prepared for how motherhood would change my life, and I certainly wasn’t prepared for how it would change me.” “Motherhood is harder, messier, crazier, and more amazing than anything we could have imagined.” “Modern motherhood may be broken, but we don’t have to let it break us anymore.” “Being the best mother you can be starts with learning to mother yourself.” “The greatest gift I can give my kids is to be an emotionally healthy mom and to model the way for them.” “A mother’s emotional health (her spiritual, mental, and relational health) is the most important legacy she can give her children.” “Motherhood isn’t about what you do, it’s about who you are.” Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli https://alliworthington.com/remaining-you-while-raising-them

Tomorrow is the big day! My newest book, Remaining You While Raising Them, releases into the world, and I can’t wait for it to be in your hands!  To celebrate, my friend Phoebe Barron is here to turn the tables and interview me! Phoebe is the mental health consultant on Remaining You While Raising Them. She is a licensed counselor and counseling professor. She speaks to churches about emotional health and lives in Oklahoma with her husband, three kids, and fluffy golden doodle.  I’m thrilled for you to hear some of her perspectives firsthand (you know, I couldn’t resist sneaking in a few questions of my own!).  Join Phoebe and I as we discuss:  The single biggest driver of mom guilt (secret: it’s not your mom or your MIL) Why having a mother who models caring for herself and her needs is so important to our daughters (and our sons!) One magic question that keeps “taking care of mom” from becoming just another thing on your to-do list How trusting your gut and doing what’s best for your family are backed by research  My ultimate goal for writing THIS book Favorite quotes: “When I asked about mom guilt almost all women said they had mom guilt but the single biggest driver was social media.” “The most important thing we can do to be good moms is to make sure that we are as emotionally healthy as possible.” “Taking care of ourselves emotionally is the most selfless thing we can do for our families.” “Getting in the habit of saying what do I need right now is the ultimate self-care.” “There are a few ways of really screwing parenting up. There are a ton of ways of getting it good enough and there are no ways of getting it perfect.” “Our job is to model health to our children, discipline our children, and give them discipline but most of all to love our children. If we do those things our kids are going to be just fine.”  Links to great things we discussed:  Remaining You While Raising Them Oppenheimer I’ve Witnessed It- Passion and Melodie Malone The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli https://www.alliworthtington.com

Hey hey friend! If you’ve been here for a while, you know I am passionate about emotional health. I want good emotional health for all my friends (yes, you!), and I brought in one of the smartest people I know to help us get there. Terra Mattson is a licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed professional counselor who has practiced for nearly two decades and oversees a team of 20 clinicians.  She’s a wife, a mom of two teenage girls, and passionate about helping moms raise their kids well. Terra and I go all in today on a conversation about my favorite topic: emotional well-being in moms and kids.   Listen in as Terra and I talk about:  Women discovering who they are apart from a specific role, even in the trenches of motherhood How to disentangle ourselves from unhealthy messaging about the calling of motherhood, even within (maybe especially within) the Church Why emotional regulation is an important piece of raising kids who love like Jesus How our emotions reflect our being made in the image of God Favorite quotes: “Our identity especially in the Christian community gets wrapped up in motherhood in good and not healthy ways." “The power of knowing our story and how it has influenced us is so important.” “Emotional regulation is one of the number one resources and modeling that we have to give our children.” “Each of us have something to offer and teach each other.” “We don’t have to be in competition. We can link arms and model a different way to our children.” “The work that you are doing at every stage of your children’s lives is affecting the relationship even today.”  “Think about the long haul while you are figuring out who you are.” Links to great things we discussed:  Terra Mattson Website Living Wholehearted Podcast Anatomy of the Soul - Curt Thompson Grove Co. Kitchen Wipes. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One Epionce Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 Join the Launch Team! Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli www.alliworthington.com

Around here, we love seeing women partner together to build amazing businesses, ministries, and more. I’ve got two Smart Girl guests for you today, and they’re here to tell you how it’s done! Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer are the dynamic duo behind Her True Worth, an online community dedicated to helping women know their true worth and identity in Christ.  This powerhouse partnership has grown Her True Worth to over 1.6 million strong, and they have authored two books together, including a new devotional, There’s Beauty in Your Brokenness: 90 Devotions to Surrender Striving, Live Unburdened, and Find Your Worth in Christ.  Listen in as Brittany, Cass, and I discuss:  Overcoming imposter syndrome when you feel like a fraud (and trust us- it’s not just you!)  Why relationships are the key to our growth  Where our worth really comes from, apart from success The power of consistency  Favorite quotes: “If you don’t want to be an imposter don’t feel like one.” “To walk in our true worth of Christ derives from being and not doing.” “Show up where God has called you and steward what he has given you. Stewardship is often consistency.” “When you are intentional about amplifying the voices and giftings of others for the glory of God and you are seeking out opportunities to be generous with what little we have been given, it multiplies.”  “Start with the one and focus on the one.” “We have limitations and heartache on this side of heaven but we have access to holiness and healing in Him.” Links to great things we discussed:  Her True Worth Website Her True Worth Instagram There’s Beauty in Your Brokenness: 90 Devotions to Surrender Striving, Live Unburdened, and Find Your Worth in Christ. Living God - Red Rocks Worship 50 First Dates The Wedding Singer Lost Summer Baking Championship Asteroid City New York City’s Killing Me - Ray LaMontagne ChatGPT App Join the Launch Team! Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

Hey friend! So many women have (or have had) a complicated relationship with food, our bodies, or both. If you want to kick the lies of diet culture to the curb, this is a conversation you do not want to miss! My friend Leslie Schilling is a dietician and nutrition therapist who owns Schilling Nutrition, LLC, where she works in private practice helping people move toward health with a non-diet approach.  Leslie is also an award-winning author of two books, including her latest, Feed Yourself: Step Away From the Lies of Diet Culture and Into Your Divine Design.  She is a mom who wants a legacy that is better than body hatred for the next generation and freedom for our generation, too.  Lean in and listen as Leslie and I talk about:  How Leslie went from traditionally practicing sports nutrition to where she is today  Disordered eating practices that are often considered healthy in our culture The issues social media can cause in our relationships with food and our bodies Why weight loss and health promotion are not the same  The divine nature of body diversity  Leslie’s number one rule for getting back to eating the way we were designed to Favorite quotes: “Disordered eating is the rule not the exception.” “Social media is really problematic for everyone’s health. All of the comparisons are disordered.” “Body diversity is divine. We are meant to be all the sizes.” “Just start eating consistently and include foods you love.” “If you have good relationships and move your body in joyful ways those are the things that really matter and get good sleep.” “A feed body is one that can go live its purpose.” Links to great things we discussed:  Leslie Schilling Website Leslie Schilling Instagram Feed Yourself: Step Away From the Lies of Diet Culture and Into Your Divine Design The Book of Common Courage Enola Holmes Scole Chef Knife Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny River - Leon Bridges Join the Launch Team! Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli