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Bold, Brave & Beautiful Podcast with Barb Roose

Welcome to the Bold, Brave & Beautiful Podcast! Welcome to the corner of the internet where Jesus-loving women meet to win at life together. Life is tough, my friend. But so are you. You can do hard things and here on the Bold, Brave & Beautiful Podcast, we’re here to help. Join me and amazing special guests as they share inspiring lessons of faith, stories of courage and practical next steps that you can follow toward the adventure of faith and purpose that God has for you. Let’s jump into the journey to live bold, choose brave and be beautiful in Christ together.
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Bold, Brave & Beautiful Podcast with Barb Roose
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Now displaying: 2018
Oct 4, 2018

Are you a woman that likes to get things done?

If you’re love to-do lists, then you’re going to love my conversation with Katie M. Reid, author of Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done. Katie is a self-described modern-day Martha who struggled with the well-known story of two women with two different approaches to life in Luke 10.

Have you ever read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10? It’s a story of two women named Martha and Mary. In one particular situation, Martha worked to get her home prepared to offer hospitality while her sister, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. When Martha asked Jesus to instruct Mary to help, Jesus answered with the following words: “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all of these details. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 NLT)

Too many of us have read this story and walked away with the conclusion that Jesus was criticizing Martha for trying to get things done. However, Katie challenges us to consider that Jesus didn’t condemn Martha’s method. Rather, Jesus invited her to change her mindset. Instead of being worried and distracted, Martha was encouraged to experience Jesus’ inner peace instead of trying to live up to unrealistic expectations.

So, if you’re made like Martha and you’re tired of trying to do it all, live up to unrealistic expectations or you’re beating yourself up for not being perfect, today’s conversation is just for you.

 

Join today’s conversation and listen as Katie and I discuss:

  • How to stop beating yourself up for being a hard-working Martha;
  • How to say “yes,” “no” and most importantly, when to ask for help;
  • How to swap out trying to balance our lives and learn how to “steward” our lives instead;
  • Helpful tips to enjoy being made like Martha and get things done without getting burnt out.

Bonus! Talk back to us and share your answers to the following:

  • Should bathroom toilet paper be hung over or under?
  • Do you squeeze toothpaste be squeezed from the middle or rolled from the bottom?
  • Do your fold or crumple your toilet paper before wiping?

 

LINKS FROM TODAY'S EPISODE

Katie M. Reid   Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Made Like Martha: Good News for Women Who Like to Get Things Done

 

About your Better Together podcast host... 

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry BattleBarb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

Sep 17, 2018

“Never give up!”

That’s the philosophy of Vicki Fitch, an award winning leader, international business consultant and direct sales expert. If you’ve ever dreamed of making extra money to support your family through direct sales or multi-level marketing companies that offer great incentives with flexible schedules for your family, then you’ll definitely want to listen to Vicki’s story on today’s Better Together podcast.

Vicki started her first business when she was 12 years old. She purchased her first home at 19 years old and began her first company a year later. As a “serial entrepreneur,” Vicki builds and sells business as a way of life. She’s been in the direct sales business for 20 years, consistently performing at the top 1% of her company and winning the kinds vacations, trips and bonuses that we dream about for our families.

But, Vicki’s “never give up” philosophy comes from the difficult experiences in her early stages of her life. In today’s conversation, Vicki and I discuss her struggle to feel loved and valued by her parents as well as her volatile first marriage to a drug addict. As Vicki shares her life and her success, you’ll be encouraged by her authenticity and vulnerability when talking about the highs and lows of her life. Vicki and I are tall girls who share a love of high heels and we share a lot of fun moments during today’s conversation.

If you are a leader who dreams of achieving big goals, you’re going to absolutely love my conversation with Vicki. In this episode, you’ll learn more about:

  • Dealing with the bullies in your mind that undermine your confidence;
  • Why mentors are important if you want to achieve your highest dreams;
  • How do identify whether or not you’re an entrepreneur (even if you think that you’re not).
  • Why Vicki is so passionate about her new global initiative’s #youareenough as well as her #12books12months goal of writing 12 books and 12 months – this is a great story!

 

About Vicki Fitch...

Vicki lives in Southern California with her husband, Terry and their two boys. She is blessed to have two amazing stepchildren and five grandchildren that fill Vicki’s heart with great joy. Her business is her ministry and she believes that God has blessed her greatly and she gives back every chance that she can.

LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW:

Vicki Fitch   Website | Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | LinkedIn

Join Vicki's campaign to support her journey! 

About your host, Barb Roose

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry BattleBarb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

 An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

Sep 12, 2018

How do we teach our kids about God when we don't know all of the answers? 

How do we get our kids to participate in family devotions when they don't want to sit still?!!!

Take a deep breath, Mom and Dad. God knows that you're doing the best that you can. When it comes to teaching our kids about Jesus, you don't need to know the answers and there are some fabulous resources to help you out!

On today's Better Together podcast, I had the most delightful conversation with author, Sarah M. Wells. She's the author of the new resource The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture.  

Mom or Dad, if you're reading this today and you're worried about messing up your kids' spiritual growth, relax. It's okay to not have all of the answers. You've got permission to say, "I don't know the answer to that, but let's keep reading and see what we can learn." 

Sarah wrote the Family Bible Devotional as a faith-building experience to give parents confidence in helping their kids fall in love with Jesus.  It includes with 52-devotionals BUT there are NO dates because real life rarely sticks to a schedule! Sarah totally understands the up-and-down rhythm parents face. She deals with that in her own family. "We'll be solid in reading the Bible and doing lessons for a few days and then, a few weeks will go by because life got busy." Sarah says that they just keep at it.

So friends, listen to Sarah's encoruagement today if you've been feeling discouraged about teaching your kids about God OR if you're not even sure where to begin. 

In this episode, we'll talk about:

  • How to set realistic expectations for family devotion time;
  • Why we feel intimidated talking to our kids about the Bible;
  • How to engage your kids in family devotions - even if their not sitting still. 

LINKS FROM TODAY'S PODCAST:

Sarah Wells  website  | Facebook  | Twitter

The Family Bible Devotional

 

About Sarah M. Wells

 Sarah Marie Wells is the author of The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture (Discovery House Publishers, Fall 2018), a novella-length essay, The Valley of Achor, available on Kindle, a collection of poems, Pruning Burning Bushes (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2012), and a chapbook of poems, Acquiesce, winner of the 2008 Starting Gate Award (Finishing Line Press,2009). Poems and essays by Wells have appeared recently in Ascent, Brevity, Full Grown People, Hippocampus Review, The Pinch, River Teeth, Rock & Sling, Under the Gum Tree, and elsewhere.

Sarah serves as the Director of Content Marketing at Spire Advertising and as Associate Editor for River Teeth: A Journal of Nonfiction Narrative. She resides in Ashland, Ohio with her husband, Brandon, and their three young children, Lydia, Elvis, and Henry.

About your Better Together podcast host...  

BarbRoose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry BattleBarb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

 An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

 

 

 

Sep 7, 2018

When we are intentional moms, it assists us in becoming less-stressed moms. 

When we bring our babies home from the hospital, our dream is to raise them in a happy and healthy home. But, from the time that we get pregnant or we announce plans to adopt, others begin giving us their opinions about what we should or shouldn't do. If we're not careful, other people's input will confuse us and add a lot of stress to our already busy lives.

Today, I'm continuing my fun and freeing conversation with my friend, Susan Seay. If you listened to part one of our interview, the podcast ended with Susan saying that she hit the wall after the birth of her seventh child.

"I became so burdened with my efforts to be a “good mom” and trying to do all the things a “good mom” should do. My list of “should’s” was so long I was ready to give up. In fact, I did give up. I announced it one night at dinner with a simple. I announced to my husband: “I’m done!” - Susan Seay, speaker and author

During this episode, Susan shares about the crucial conversations that she had with her husband, Ron about their individual expectations of what it meant to be a good mom and a good dad. In Susan's effort to be a great mom and Ron's drive to be a great dad, the couple discovered that their unspoken expections actually drove a wedge in their relationship with each other.

As you listen to Susan talk about how they worked through this challenge to their marriage and family, you'll love her sense of humor and insight. Ultimately, Ron and Susan discovered the key to reshaping their family and unifying them for the future.

What you'll hear in this episode:

  • How core values can keep your family focused and help you make decisions with less conflict;
  • Why Susan always lets her kids let go of a hug first;
  • How Susan uses technology to stay connected with her kids;

 

LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW

Susan Seay  Website  |  Facebook   | Choosing Your Values Podcast

 

About Susan…

Through the “Mentor 4 Moms” Podcast and the relatable style found in her book The Intentional Parent: Parenting On Purpose When Life Gets Busy, you get a sense of Susan’s heart to provide encouragement to moms combined with helpful practical tools. As a wife and mom to 7, she truly understands the challenges of trying to be an Intentional Parent. Susan has been a mentor to women locally in Austin, Tx and Internationally for over a decade. 

 

About your Better Together podcast host...

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry BattleBarb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

 An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

 

 

Sep 7, 2018

I became so burdened with my efforts to be a “good mom” and trying to do all the things a “good mom” should do. My list of “should’s” was so long I was ready to give up. In fact, I did give up. I announced it one night at dinner with a simple- “I’m done!” -Susan Seay, mother of seven (yes, seven!)

Mom, do you ever “should” all over yourself?

  • I should do another load of laundry…
  • I should stay up late and make cookies for my daughter’s class…
  • I should volunteer to drive carpool, even though I’m working late this week.

Sometimes those “should” feel so heavy and make us feel like we’re buried under unreasonable expectations.

If you’ve ever struggled with the “should,” you’ll love my conversation with my dear friend, Susan Seay. She’s a speaker and author living in Austin, TX. Susan and her husband, Ron are the parents to seven, yes seven kids. Not only that but Susan is a homeschool mom, who also supports and consults with other homeschooling on a national level.

Susan and I have been friends online for almost a year, but we met IRL (in real life) in July at the She Speaks Conference, hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Susan actually flew from her home in Texas to help me out with my workshops –that’s a great friend! On top of that, I got to see Susan in action as she provided gentle and loving encouragement to every woman who crossed her path. If you meet Susan, she’s going to make your life better, whether you talk to her for one minute or an hour.

As a speaker and author, Susan’s wheelhouse is that she is a mentor for moms. And as the mother of seven, she’s got some great expertise in that area.

During our Better Together conversation today, Susan talks about a trap that is so easy for moms to fall into - the quest to be the mom that tries to do everything.  

Susan and I will discuss:

  • The crazy questions that people ask when they find out that she has seven kids;
  • A GENIUS trick that Susan used when her kids lost their minds in the grocery store;
  • What unreasonable expectations makes moms tired and discouraged;
  • Stories of encouragement that will put a smile on your face;
  • Overcoming the trap of perfection.

About Susan Seay…

Through the “Mentor 4 Moms” Podcast and the relatable style found in her book The Intentional Parent: Parenting On Purpose When Life Gets Busy, you get a sense of Susan’s heart to provide encouragement to moms combined with helpful practical tools. As a wife and mom to 7, she truly understands the challenges of trying to be an Intentional Parent. Susan has been a mentor to women locally in Austin, Tx and Internationally for over a decade. 

 

LINKS

Susan Seay   Website  |  Podcast  | Intentional Parenting Book

 

About your Better Together podcast host...

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry BattleBarb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

 

Aug 27, 2018

I want your love - to be unrestrained - tearing down walls - breaking these chains. -"Unrestrained", Changed Album

If you've ever listened to a contempary Christian radio station anywhere in the world, then you've heard of the Grammy-nominated, Dove Award winning band, Sanctus Real. (Feel free to do the loud crowd cheering here...)

In today's Better Together podcast, I'm talking with Mark Graalman, Sanctus Real's drummer and original band member. A life-long native of Toledo, OH, Mark is also on staff on Vineyard Church. He's married to his beautiful wife, Susan, and they are the parents of three boys.

Mark and I had a great time talking about the early days of Christian music as well as what it was like to start a Christian rock bank back when organs reigned supreme and drums weren't totally accepted in traditional churches. He talks about having no idea as a teen guy that he would end up playing in stadiums around the world to groups up to 120,000. 

Talk about cool.

Then, Mark talks about coming from a line of "strong and silent" men in his family. However, Mark discusses how his quiet persona covered for a difficult battle with anxiety that he's battle for much of his life. While women struggle with anxiety more often then men, that doesn't mean that there are millions of men around the country dealing with "worst-first thinking" as author Lenore Skenazy calls it.

In today's episode, Mark and I discuss:

  • How Mark managed his anxiety when playing in front of tens of thousands of people in stadiums;
  • A practical anxiety-fighting tool that Mark shares that folded up and fit in his pocket - you can use this tool, too!
  • The spoken word poem that Mark wrote for Sanctus Real's new Changed record.

Mark Graalman  Facebook  |  Twitter

Sanctus Real   Website |  Changed LP

 

About your Better Together podcast host...

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry BattleBarb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

Aug 17, 2018

"God, I can't do this."

In 2006, speaker and author Gail Cooper spoke these desparate words on her knees in a field on the way to where rescuers were looking for her 21-year old son. He'd been canoeing with a friend right before college graduation when his canoe went under  - and Gail got the call in the middle of the night.

One of the goals of my Better Together podcast is to talk about real life issues that live deep in the souls of women. One of those issues is grief. These days, grief is a daily part of my life in losing my father and father-in-law in the past year. But there are other forms of grief - a lost dream, losign a job, divorce or marriage crisis. Friend, it's okay to give yourself permission to grieve if you've lost something important that you loved.

Grief is a part of life, but when we're afraid to feel grief or even talk about it, grief becomes a prison. How do we learn how to embrace grief as a process that God can bless with purpose? 

Gail shows us what that looks like in her life during today's episode. We'll talk about that life-changing night and what happened during the five-days that it took researches to find her son's body. Gail tells us about her grief journey, her anger at God and a prophetic moment at a Beth Moore event that left me with chill bumps! Twelve years after her son's death, Gail is living purposefully, even in grief.

Here are a few things that Gail said that blessed my heart:

"I gave to God what I could not handle on my own."

"I felt like God was telling me, 'Gail, you're driving into something bigger than you can handle on your own.'"

"I wake up celebrating life!"

When I finished talking with Gail, I was so encouraged by her passionate faith - and I think that you will be, too.

If you or someone that you know is struggle with grief at any stages, please share this podcast with them. You can share it opening, send the link via email or send it to Facebook messenger. 

LINKS FROM TODAY'S PODCAST:

Gail Cooper website | facebook (She Shed Moments)

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry BattleBarb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

 An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

Aug 17, 2018

Can we find freedom from past hurts or trauma? The answer is YES!

If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE advocate of mental health! Not only have I invested in years of personal counseling, but I attend a recovery group on a regular basis for my own serenity. A decade ago, I struggled with major depression and spending a year in counseling and medication delivered me back to wellness.

The lesson that I've learned is that good mental health is a daily investment and when we don't invest in ourselves, we rob ourselves of the peace and joy that God promises. Don't rob yourselves, friends. You matter!

My guest on this episode of the Better Together podcast is clinically-trained marriage and family therapist, Stacy Lynn Harp, the host of Bible News Radio.

Stacy Lynn grew us as the middle child between two brothers and to a mother who often said, "Stacy, I wish that you were never born." When Stacy Lynn was seven years old, her mother had an affair with Stacy's paternal uncle. Eventually, Stacy's mother left her father, packed up the kids and moved to California with the uncle. For many years, the uncle sexually and physically abused Stacy on a daily basis."He was sadistic," recalls Stacy in another interview.

During our conversation, Stacy Lynn gives a recap of her story and explains the tragic reason behind why her uncle never went to jail, even though Stacy Lynn reported him to the police.

If you're an adult, but you've still got a lot of baggage left over from your childhood, Stacy Lynn shares her journey from sexual abuse survivor to finding freedom from her struggles. 

Our conversation today includes: 

  • Why NOT paying for therapy is the most expensive mistake of your life;
  • What does freedom look like;
  • How to spot unhealthy people;
  • Lessons in faith from her soon-to-be-finished book, Pickleball Faith.

LINKS TO TODAY'S PODCAST

Stacy Lynn Harp  website | Bible News Radio

Stacy's Testimony

What is Mental Health?

 

STACY LYNN HARB BIO

Stacy has appeared on the Fox News television show Dayside, as well as numerous radio programs nationally and internationally, discussing issues pertaining to the family, sexuality, social media, Christian persecution and Internet related issues.

Stacy earned a Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California, and is a gifted therapist and coach. Stacy has spoken at various academic and professional conferences concerning Internet safety issues and the topic of homosexuality.  She has been described as someone who has a firm grasp on the issues and communicates passionately but with humor.

 

ABOUT HOST BARB ROOSE

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry BattleBarb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

Barb is an avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

 

 

 

 

Aug 16, 2018

How many times a week do you say, "I'm so tired"?

Here are some signs that you're might be exhausted. If you say "yes" to one or more of these, keep reading!

  • Do you get sick often - like sinus infections or headaches?
  • Is your mind so cluttered that you can't concentrate?
  • Do you feeling like your floating around aimlessly or that your life doesn't have true purpose or calling?
  • Do you feel too drained to be around people or you often feel people are judging you?

Believe it or not, but these are the warning signs of rest deprivation. Too often, we think about rest as just getting a good night's sleep or watching hours of tv.   

Rest is much more than that! But, if we don't figure out how to really rest, then we're going to end up living really messed up lives.  

 

Let me introduce you to someone who can give you the help and hope that you need today!

My Better Together guest is Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, an author, speaker, and board-certified internal medicine physician. She has an active medical practice in Alabama (near the Birmingham area).

Dr. Dalton-Smith is a national and international media resource on the mind, body, spirit connection and a top 100 medical expert in Good Housekeeping Doctors’ Secrets. She has been featured in many media outlets including Women’s Day, Redbook, First For Women, MSNBC, and Prevention. She is the author of Set Free to Live Free and Come Empty (winner 2016 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year and 2016 Illumination Award Gold medalist).

Her newest release is Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, including ground-breaking insight on the seven types of rest needed to optimize your productivity, increase your overall happiness and live your best life.

 Today, Dr. Dalton Smith answers these pressing questions about rest:

  • How can we get a better night's sleep?
  • How do we know when we're rested?
  • What are some warning signs that we need to know?
  • Why is there more than one type of rest?
  • Why do women struggle with rest?

LINKS FROM TODAY'S EPISODE

Saundra Dalton-Smith:   website | facebook page

Rest Test Quiz: http://ichoosemybestlife.com/quiz/rest-quiz-test/

 

ABOUT YOUR BETTER TOGETHER PODCAST HOST

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Bible study and book, Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

 

 

Aug 16, 2018

"Don't burn bridges. Be graceful in all of your converations, especially when people say or do hurtful things."

-Lisa Toney, speaker, author & leader

On this week's Better Together podcast, we're talking about one of my favorite ways for us to get better together. On today's episode, we're talking leadership! Not only that, but our leadership inspiration is Lisa Toney, an executive and teaching pastor from Purpose Church in California. She's a seasoned leader who loves investing in both men and women, equipping them to lead at the highest levels of God's call on their lives.

Lisa is the author of Thrive: Live Like You Matter and her new book, The Scripture Challenge releases this fall.

Not only that, but Lisa is a new voice in the next generation of Women of Faith. Any Women of Faith fans out there? Me! For over 20 years, WOF events around the country mobilized hundreds of thousands of women and now, a generation of voices, including Lisa's are on deck to make a global impact. Lisa tells us all about WOF's vision to reach the world and how YOU can be a part of it.

In my humble opinion, today's conversation is like a min-leadership retreat that packs a big punch! Who should listen to today's podcast:

  • If you've been struggling with confidence;
  • If you're trying to figure out how to be a leader, wife, mom and friend;
  • If you're just tired and wanting to give up.

Friends, if any of those fit, then I believe that today's podcast is exactly where you should be right now!

Let me share a few bits of Lisa's inspiring wisdom:

"This competeition thing that we have between women doesn't get us very far. When I get together with other women and we exchange ideas, all of our lives get so much better!"

"When I think about work life balance, I just laugh. Is it ever balanced? I don't know. I love living every day to the full."

"I want people to see Jesus in me because that's evidence that I'm living the call that God has placed on my life."

SHARE YOUR COMMENT: Have you taken Myers-Briggs (MBTI), Strengths Finders, Enneagram or other personality tests? Tell us about your results below. 

LINKS FROM TODAY'S CONVERSATION:

Lisa Toney  website | Facebook | book

Women of Faith Facebook Page (To find Scripture Challenge and Aloud)

Strengths Finders

 

About your Better Together podcast host...

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry BattleBarb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.

 An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

 

Jun 11, 2018

“If we hide the fact that Dad drinks too much, then no one will know.”

Did you grow up in a home where things like drinking or drugs weren't talked about? Too often, when someone that we love is struggling, silence seems easier than saying something or possibly the wrong. 

Today, I'm talking with author Kimberly Dewberry about her new book, Three Weeks to Forgiveness, which tells her story of God’s redemption in the dark places of addiction. In our conversation today, Kimberly talks about what it was like growing up with an addicted parent and perhaps, her reflections and stories might hit close to home. 

Here is a recap of some of the questions that I asked Kimberly today. I'd encourage you to listen to and share today's interview if you grew up with an alcoholic family or you know someone currently living in that difficult situation.

What are your earliest memories of your dad’s addiction on your life?

“I remember going through hiding places where my dad would hide his partial or empty bottles. My mom wanted me to help her get rid of my Dad’s alcohol and get it out of the hose. But I didn’t understand what we were doing. At that point, I started to blame myself. Somehow, I thought that I was the one who made my dad start drinking again. I thought that I was being punished for something. At the time, I didn’t understand the feelings that I was having until I began going through recovery later in life.”

 If you could go back and talk to yourself at 15 years old, what would you tell her?

"If I could go back and talk to my 15-year old self I would say, 'You did not cause this. This isn’t something that we cause or something that we could control. Honey, your mom doesn’t know what to do. She’s desperate. She reached out to you because she didn’t know what else to do.'"

 

As a teen, how did you react to your dad’s alcoholism?

“I was rebellious. I made horrible choices as a teenager and during much of my adult life. I was constantly searching for something and at the time I didn’t know what I was searching for. Now, I know that I was searching for confirmation that I was loved.”

How did your dad's alcoholism make you feel about yourself?

“I equated my dad’s isolation and silence with lack of love. That carried over to other relationships. So in other relationships, I felt that if they weren’t talking to me, then they didn’t love me.”

What role did God play in your life? Why did you turn away from God?

“Our family didn’t go to church when I was a kid. I got saved in my 20’s but one of the most important things that I didn’t have was a good mentor to help me or guide me. I was trying to do it on my own, but I didn’t know what to do. So, when I turned away from God, it was really out of selfishness.

 I wasn’t angry or bitter at God. But I had done so many bad things that I didn’t feel like God could love me anymore. I felt like God was so disappointed with me. I thought that I was too far gone, so that’s why I turned away from God.”

What negative behaviors/patterns did you struggle with during your adult years?

“I’ve been married three times. I constantly sought my value in relationships, especially with men.” I also struggled with co-dependent tendencies. I thought that I’d be happy as long as everyone else is happy. So, I tried to control people, situations, finances, outcomes and kids. I felt so out of control on the inside that I tried to control everyone else on the outside.”

 

How did your dad come to live with your family before he died?

“After years away from the family and living on the streets, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. He was released from the hospital and since he had nowhere to do, he came to live with me. It had been five years since I’d seen my dad.

It was through those three weeks of dad living in our home, that was the major event though God broke down the walls of anger, bitterness and how to show grace and forgiveness to my dad. I had a brick wall around my heart and God broke that wall down during those three weeks.” 

What does it mean for you to find recovery as an adult child of an alcoholic?

“Who I am isn’t defined by my past. Who I am is defined by Christ. And I could not have realized that if it hadn’t been for God bringing Dad back into our lives for such a short period of time. After Dad died, I was grieving a lot. I got help from a Christian counselor and that’s when I heard terms like “adult child of an alcoholic” and “recovery.” I was realized confused because I thought that it was my Dad with the problem. But, I realized that I needed help, so I started with Al-Anon and then moved over to Celebrate Recovery. 

In recovery, I realized that I had a problem, too. I have issues that I need to work on. I cannot control what other people do, I cannot control what other people say and I cannot control how other people act. Through recovery I was able to see that God is in control and He is the one that plans our steps. It’s our decisions and our free will that allow us to either go God’s way or our own way. I have learned that by going God’s way that I can have peace, serenity and love."

Who needs to attend a recovery program?

Sometimes, we don’t know that we need recovery until we start going. If you are feeling out of control and yet you try to control everyone, then consider talking to a licensed therapist/counselor, Al-Anon or Celebrate Recovery.

Connect with Kimberly -  Three Weeks to Forgiveness Book | Facebook | IG | Twitter

 

About Kimberly Dewberry

Kimberly Dewberry struggled for 25 years to cope with the pain, hurt, guilt, regret, unworthiness, and shame brought on by her father's addictions. Because of the loving grace of Jesus Christ, she has broken free from the shackles of rebellion and anger, and made it her life’s mission to share her journey through courageous prose.

Kimberly and her husband Patrick are the parents of 6 grown children between them and live in the Dallas area with their two super cute Boston terriers, Delilah and Daphne. Kimberly enjoys writing, reading, Bible art journaling, participating in Bible studies, and dating her husband.

 

Jun 4, 2018

If you’ve struggled with praying, figuring out what to say, felt guilty about not praying enough or wondered about does prayer even make a difference, today’s episode is for you!

This week’s Better Together guest is best selling author, Janet McHenry. Janet is a national speaker and author of 23 books, including six on prayer—most notably the best-selling PrayerWalk and her new book, The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus, which is being released this week.

Janet's prayer walking practices have been featured in magazines such as Health and Family Circle, and she has been interviewed widely on national and local radio programs about prayer and prayer-walking. A recently retired English teacher and academic advisor, Janet and her husband Craig have raised four children in the Sierra Valley, where she loves walking with her Personal Trainer, Jesus.

On this week's episode, Janet and I talk about:

  • How falling down her steps helped Janet discover a new way to pray;
  • How God used a baby and single dad to teach Janet a powerful lesson about praying for others;
  • How to pray "two-sided coin" prayers (love this!)
  • Hope if you've been wondering if prayer really matters.

Janet will be such an encouragement to you if prayer has been tricky. She gives some great advice as well as shares stories from how others have leaned into prayer for everyday life.

Janet’s book, The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus: What Jesus Prayed and How It Can Change Your Life Today, is now available at Christian bookstores and all online booksellers. So many speakers and authors that I admire have amazing things to say about this book.

BEST OF ALL! Janet also sent me a copy to give away to one of you! Just leave a comment on the blog about this episode and I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday, June 13. Easy-peasy.

LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW:

Janet McHenry's website | Facebook | Prayer Walking

The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus: What Jesus Prayed and How It Can Change Your Life Today

50 Life Lessons for Grads

About the Better Together podcast…

Barb Roose is host of the Better Together podcast. She is a speaker and author with a passion to help women win at life with strength and dignity. Barb has been speaking at women’s conferences, events and retreats since 2005. She is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including the new book Winning the Worry Battle and Bible study Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle.

Barb and her husband, Matt are the parents of three daughters, Kate, Sami and Abbie. They love their dog, Quimby and a now 10-year old rabbit that threatens to live forever. She loves Jesus, new adventures, her FitBit, chocolate peanut butter ice cream and fabulous high heels.

May 23, 2018

What are you're missing out on if you aren't connected with any millennials? 

It's become really easy for us to criticize the Millennial generation, those individuals born between 1981 and 1996 (according to Pew Research). How many times have you heard or maybe your referred to Millennials "entitled" or "they have a poor work ethic"?

My Better Together guest today is the exact opposite of the common (and untrue) stereotypes attributed to today's Millennials. Lauren Gaskill is a speaker, author, podcaster and entrepreneur - and she's 25 years old. That's right! Seriously, what were you doing at 25?

Best part is that Lauren has been my friend for a long time - I'm so excited that you get to meet her. Lauren emailed me years ago because she wanted to connect with women in ministry who were farther down the road in experience and faith. But, friends, I've learned so much from this brilliant young woman. 

Her first book, Into the Deep, comes out in November 2018 (Abingdon Press). A long-time competitive swimmer, Lauren uses water as a word picture and writes about intentionally stepping out in faith and asking Jesus to show up big in our lives. While many of us get accustomed to playing it safe, this young woman just might light a fire under your complacency as you listen to her today.

Lauren knows what it's like to face real struggle, both in circumstances and faith. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome years ago. It's a connective tissue disorder that often leaves her in tremendous pain and suffering from anxiety. 

“A year ago, I was in a pretty bad spot. I remember looking at my husband and saying, “I think that I might need to be in a pysch ward. It was a scary place. I am so glad that my faith got me through it. The Jesus inside of me is stronger than the darkness that tries to overtake me.”

Girl, preach.

During today's conversation, you get the chance to hear from one of the best and brightest leaders that we have, especially in the Church today. 

CONVERSATION STARTERS WITH MILLENNIALS

If you feel like God wants you to invest more of your life and time into the young people at your church or in your community, here are few "conversation starters":

  • Who are the people that you admire?
  • What kind of parent do you want to be?
  • If you could fix any problem in the world, what would it be?
  • What are some issues that older adults get crazy about that you don't understand?
  • In addition to preaching the Gospel, how else can the Church help you grow in your faith?
  • How can I help you?

LINKS FROM TODAY'S PODCAST

Lauren Gaskill   Website | Facebook 

Ticket information - She Found Joy Tour (Fall 2018)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

 

About the Better Together podcast...

Barb Roose is host of the Better Together podcast. She is a speaker and author with a passion to help women win at life with strength and dignity. Barb has been speaking at women's conferences, events and retreats since 2005. She is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including the new book Winning the Worry Battle and Bible study Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle.

Barb and her husband, Matt are the parents of three daughters, Kate, Sami and Abbie. They love their dog, Quimby and a 9-year old rabbit that threatens to live forever. She loves Jesus, new adventures, her FitBit, chocolate peanut butter ice cream and fabulous high heels.

 

Apr 26, 2018

Are you or someone that you know a planning a wedding? Are you a soon-to-be-bride, mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom?

If so, this episode of the Better Together podcast is a must-listen for some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to wedding fashion and family dynamics.

My guest this week is my fabulous friend and American’s leading Christian fashion consultant, Shari Braendel. She’s a popular guest on my Better Together podcast and on this episode, Shari shows up with some important rules and must-do’s when it comes to weddings.

Not only does she provide helpful information, but as Shari will be the mother-of-the-groom at her son’s wedding in just a couple of weeks, she lets us into what God has been teaching her about letting go of her son – it’s a touching, emotional conversation that any mom with a wedding coming up needs to hear. (You might want to grab a tissue!)

In today’s conversation, Shari answers questions like:

  • What are the rules for when the mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom decide to pick their dresses?
  • What kind of dress is best for your body types?
  • When it comes to making decisions about the wedding, who should get first choice?
  • How can you navigate hurt feelings and difficult moments while planning the wedding with the other side of the family?
  • How can a mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom prepare her heart for the emotional “letting go” on the wedding day?

For the rest of us, Shari talks us through the different types of weddings and how we can dress appropriately for each type.

There’s so much practical advice and heart-talk that you might want to grab a tissue or two before you listen.

If you’ve got wedding fashion questions or questions of the heart, Shari would love to answer them. Leave them on the blog page of this podcast!

GET CONNECTED TO SHARI - Website | Facebook 

Shari's 27 Hangers Online Course

Shari's book Help Me Jesus, I Have Nothing to Wear

Breakaway 2018 Conference on June 15-16 in Concord, NC

 

About Barb...

Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. She's a popular conference speaker and author of multiple books and Bible studies including her new book, Winning the Worry Battle and six-week Bible study called, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb and her family live in NW Ohio. She loves travel, chocolate peanut ice cream and fabulous high heel shoes. Connect with Barb at Barbroose.com for new episodes of the Better Together podcast on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Apr 10, 2018

“Focus on the person you are fighting for, not the person you are fighting with.”  -John Guerin

Do you have a secret that you’re keeping from your husband? Some of us might sneak in a few pairs of shoes inside brown grocery bag or perhaps there is a secret Amazon account attached to an off-the-radar credit card, secrets are never good for a relationship.

But what about a bigger secret?

Are you hiding secret feelings from your husband about the guy at the office who gives great shoulder rubs?

Do you feel a growing affection for your neighbor who always has time to fix something when your hubby is busy?

 

 

On this episode of the Better Together podcast, I’m talking with speaker and author Shannon Geurin. Shannon and her husband, John live in Colorado and they are parents of two daughters.

Twelve years ago, Shannon began an emotional affair with a man that led to a physical affair. As Shannon says, "And that affair led me to do the unthinkable. I was going to leave my family - husband and my little girls."

This is a raw conversation, friends. Shannon speaks with humility about the mistakes that she made, the lies that she believed, the forgiveness that she received and the long five-year road that she walked with her husband after her affair.

Even if you think that it isn’t possible for you to even find yourself in Shannon’s situation, there are plenty of other ways in life when we can get off-track in life. Listen as Shannon shares not only the warnings signs, but take heart and have hope as Shannon also shares how you can find your way back if you’ve made big mistakes and you’re wondering if you can ever overcome them. In Jesus’ name, you can!

THREE STEPS TOWARD FORGIVENESS & RESTORATION:

  1. Surround yourself with people who are supporting the decision that you are making.
  2. Write down God’s promises and post them where they can encourage you.
  3. Don’t let shame and guilt rob you of God’s forgiveness and your future.

LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW: 

Connect with Shannon: Email | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Finding Joy Ladies Night Out Tickets - click here

Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Bible Study by Barb Roose

 

Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together Podcast. 

Mar 27, 2018

I love the word “gutsy.” In fact, a gutsy woman is always inspiring to me! She’s the kind of gal who knows that the odds are stacked against her, but she makes a big move anyways. There have been so many gutsy women in my life – I could take up this entire blog listing them. In a world where women are fighting against so much, we need brave, courageous women who are willing to risk it all for something better.

Sometimes, the greatest gutsiest risk we’ll ever take is the one that involves confronting our painful past and choosing to walk the road of healing.

Today, my Better Together podcast guest is Jennifer Renee Watson. I caught up with Jennifer as she was hiding out in a hotel room writing her upcoming book called Freedom: The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and Life Beyond It" (February 2019). Jennifer is a speaker, writer, pastor’s wife, student ministries leader and mother of two. Her life journey has been one of brokenness and healing. Now, Jennifer’s passion is to equip others to take their healing journey as well.

As the child of an alcoholic and divorce, Jennifer spent her younger years trying to cope with the ache and pain of the loss of her dad to addiction and the break-up of her family. “My dad had such a great heart and loved people but over the years, his addiction became bigger and louder than who he was as a man.”

Jennifer came to faith in Christ when she was 11 years old. Her new life and hope in Christ helped Jennifer to see that she needed to deal with the brokenness in her life. “When I was in my teen years, I worked hard to deal with my junk. I wrote stories, angry poetry, danced – I needed an outlet to work through things.” Not only that, but young Jennifer made one of her first gutsy moves in life and said “yes” when she felt God putting a life of ministry on her heart.

During today’s conversation, Jennifer talks through what her “healing journey” looked like. Most of all, Jennifer tells us about the powerful way that she knew that healing had taken place when she got the word that her dad died three years ago.

There are times when we hear women talk about the shock-n-awe brokenness of their lives, but Jennifer longs for us to not let our brokenness define us. Rather, she invites us to learn how to offer the fractured parts of our lives to God and let those broken places be a platform to glorify Him.

On today’s Better Together Podcast, we talk about:

  • What it means to be a “gutsy” woman;
  • How you can use creative outlets to work through your junk;
  • What you need in order to take a “healing journey”;
  • How to let your brokenness glorify God instead of letting it define your life.

LINKS FROM TODAY'S EPISODE

Jennifer Renee Watson  website | Facebook 

Finding Joy Ladies Night Out Tickets - click here

 

About your host...

Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. She's passionate about teaching women how to win at life with strength and dignity. Barb's new book, Winning the Worry Battle and her new six-week Bible study on the book of Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle release in April 2018. Both products are available at your favorite online retailers and stores across the country.

Mar 14, 2018

“On what should have been the most beautiful day of my life, a switch flipped in my body…” 

Have you or someone you know struggled with chronic pain? For 20 years, speaker and author, Melinda Means fought chronic pain and autoimmune disorders that she jokingly referred as the “gift that keeps on giving.”

Melinda is the author of the book, Invisible Wounds: Hope While You are Hurting. As we talked today, she reflects on the years on constant doctors appointments, diseases and treatments, she felt like the woman in New Testament who struggled with uncontrolled bleeding for 12 years (Mark 5).

“I tried everything to heal myself. I tried every diet, vitamin – everything. But nothing worked.”

Raging within Melinda’s suffering body was a spiritual wound that spread deep and wide. “I didn’t understand how God could love me and still let me suffer. I know that my earthly father would have healed me from my debilitating pain if he could. So, if my earthly father would heal me because beloved me, then why wouldn’t my heavenly father heal me?”

During my conversation with Melinda, we talk with great candor about the difficult questions that we ask God when we’re in physical, emotional or spiritual pain. If you’ve ever grappled with questions like why God hasn’t taken away your pain or why your prayers for healing have gone unanswered, then today’s podcast conversation is for you.

What you’ll hear in this week’s podcast:

  • The story of Melinda’s 20-year struggle with chronic pain and spiritual struggle with her faith;
  • What happened when Melinda prayed a radical prayer in the midst of her pain;
  • The ONE thing that you can do if you are in the midst of a physical/spiritual struggle;
  • A beautiful new gift God bestowed on Melinda that you can enjoy and download for yourself!

 

PODCAST EPISODE RESOURCES:

 Melinda’s website |  Melinda's book  | Melinda's Facebook page

Finding Joy Ladies Night Out Tickets on iTickets

 

Powerful Quotes from this week’s podcast:

“For years, I went to every doctor and tried every remedy. But as I prayed that day, felt God speak to my spirit and say, ‘Melinda, I’m your only hope.’”

“I didn’t need to wait for God to heal me before I could minister to others. I realized that my ministry happened from the place of my brokenness.”

“While I prayed, I realized that if I wanted more of God, then I needed to stop consuming so much of everything else.”

“I realized that God wanted me to seek Him, not just seek what I wanted from Him.”

About this podcast...

The Better Together podcast provides hope, help and the practical next steps so that we can get better together. This podcast launches new episodes on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month. Miss an episode? You can listen to the podcast library at barbroose.com/bettertogether.

Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. She's passionate about teaching women how to win at life with strength and dignity. Barb's new book, Winning the Worry Battle and her new six-week Bible study on the book of Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle release in April 2018. Both products are available at your favorite online retailers and stores across the country.

Mar 7, 2018

"They took me into the counseling room. The doctor gently told me that they tried everything that they could, but they were not able to revive my husband. So, I went home to do the hardest thing that I ever had to do." 

Lisa Appelo's life changed forever in just one night…

On this new episode of Better Together podcast, I have a heartbreaking, yet hope-filled conversation with writer and speaker, Lisa Appelo.  She’s a Florida native and a homeschooling mom to seven kids, now aged 27 to 10.

During our interview, Lisa tells us about the night in summer 2011 when she woke up in the middle of the night and realized that her 47-year old husband Dan was having a heart attack. After the paramedics took her husband to the hospital, Lisa went upstairs and noticed her kids huddled together with their arms around each other.

Not only did Lisa face the devastating loss of her high-school sweetheart husband, but the reality of being alone and a single mom to seven kids from college-aged down to just four years old.

In the difficult months that followed, Lisa remembers the powerful presence of friends and prayer holding her family up.

"I do remember thinking and knowing that we were being carried by prayer."

Yet, as you listen to our interview, you’ll hear the incredible hope that Lisa share about the blessings and abundance of God. She talks about the pain of walking with her kids through the loss of their dad and the practical ways that she helped her kids open up and talk about their fears and loss.

During this episode, Lisa encourages us to remember:

• Grief comes in many forms and we don’t get over it, but we do learn to “live where we are”;
• We learn to live with the love, but without the person;
• God has as much abundance planned for us AFTER our loss as before our loss.

CONNECT WITH LISA:

Lisa' website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

100 Days with Christ Bible Study Journal and Reading Plan

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FINDING JOY LADIES NIGHT OUT EVENT! Click here for more details!

 

Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. Find more episodes at barbroose.com/bettertogether.

Feb 19, 2018

“I read Bill’s words as he confessed that he had lied to his family and had stolen, and spent, $1,000,000 from his aunt’s trust fund. It was obvious he confessed at trial to get a reduced sentence. I was numb and in shock…I had asked God for the total truth but had never dreamed that the truth would be so painful. How could my husband and best friend, who I had known since I was five, be a liar, a thief

How could my husband and best friend, who I had known since I was five, be a liar, a thief and a convicted felon? It was excruciating.” -from Lynn's Story: A Journey of searing, Inspiring Growth and Ultimate Healing

For over 30 years, former corporate trainer Lynn Kampfer lived what most people would consider the American Dream. Married to her childhood sweetheart and raising two kids, Lynn and her family enjoyed the best that life had to offer.

Yet, as Lynn began to search for God the outer edges of her lovely life began to crack and crumble. In this episode of the Better Together podcast, Lynn shares not only her dramatic story but more importantly, incredible lessons learned about God’s faithfulness, provision, forgiveness and hope. Lynn will definitely inspire you as she shares about surviving breath-taking heartache and how to thrive even as life takes an unwelcome left turn.

As you listen to today’s podcast, I want you to draw hope and encouragement from Lynn’s story – especially if you feel like your life is falling apart.

What you’ll hear from today’s podcast:

  • How God plants seeds in our lives, even when we’re unaware;
  • Even after rock bottom, things can always get worse;
  • When you don’t forgive, you’re in a prison doing hard time with the person who hurt you;
  • Two important things to know and do when beginning the journey toward forgiveness;
  • How God never abandons us when the unthinkable in life actually happens.

Forgiveness is a difficult and often misunderstood concept.

There's not enough space in this post to properly cover the topic, but I hope that you listen to Lynn's podcast because you can learn a lot from her journey to forgiveness. It wasn't easy, but she is so wise in how she journeyed through it.

POST A COMMENT ON THE BLOG: Can you tell us about your forgiveness journey? What was hard? How did God help you? If you're still struggling, how can we pray for you? 

I'd love to hear your questions and comments about today's show! Email me at barb@barbroose.com

Click here to listen to other episodes of the Better Together podcast.

Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. She's a women's conference speaker with a passion to teach women how to win at life with strength and dignity. Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her new book, Winning the Worry Battle (2018) and Bible study, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle (2018).  

Connect with Barb!

WebsiteFacebook  |  Twitter

Feb 7, 2018

Are you tired of cleaning up the same messes day after day? Are you tired of making dinner, changing diapers or driving carpool day after day?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you aren’t alone! In fact, you’re invited into a guilt-free zone for a precious conversation today about embracing God’s grace in the messiness of motherhood.

On this episode of the Better Together podcast, my guest is speaker and author, Amy Seiffert. She’s the author of the new book, Chin Up: Wearing Grace, Strength and Dignity When Motherhood Unravels Our Soul. Amy and her husband, Rob live in NW Ohio and they are the parents of three kids. For the past 16 years, Amy has been writing and speaking on staff with Cru and she's the Director of Outward Movement at Brookside Church in Bowling Green, OH. 

Before she became a mom, Amy pictured motherhood as a beautiful dress that she saw her friends wearing so beautifully. However, Amy felt that her motherhood dress felt floppy and didn’t fit quite right. She says that every time she tried to adjust or change, her motherhood dress would shift and expose the things that she wanted to keep covered up.

Amy and I talk about how she found God’s grace in the mundane and maddening tasks of motherhood. If you’ve ever struggled with endless laundry, Mom, I’m hungry, hated playing Barbies or was tempted to burn your kids’ puzzles, Amy’s been there.

One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centered around changing our perspective on the endless loads of laundry or those long sleepless nights. I love how Amy’s former seminar professor calls those seemingly mundane tasks “maintaining and sustaining.” In her book, Amy writes that when we see the sunrise and sunset or the seasons change, those are examples of how God maintains and sustains our world. Amy was encouraged when she realized that her maintaining and sustaining tasks like laundry, making dinner and changing diapers mirrored God’s work in our world. I hope that you listen in for that powerful conversation.

As we talk about Chin Up, Amy shares her struggle to overcome anger, letting go of unrealistic expectations and most of all, how she's learning to embrace God’s grace in motherhood., if you’ve been beating yourself up for not being the kind of mom that you want to be or think that you should be, Amy’s story is  you’ve been beating yourself up for not being the kind of mom that you want to be or think that you should be, Amy’s story is

Sweet friend, if you’ve been beating yourself up for not being the kind of mom that you want to be or feeling guilty about not always enjoying motherhood, Amy’s story is perfect encouragement for you.

LINKS:

Amy Seiffert's website

Connect with Amy on Facebook

Buy Chin Up on Amazon.com

 

Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. Barb is passionate about reaching women and teaching them to win at life with God-empowered strength and dignity. She loves speaking at women's conferences and events on the topics of fear and worry, self-care and leadership. Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including April 2018 releases, Winning the Worry Battle (book) and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle (Bible study). Check out Barbroose.com for more information.

Jan 30, 2018

Who taught you about sex as a child? If you’re a parent, how do you feel about talking to your child about sex?

According to a survey conducted by Knowledge Networks, 57% of parents feel uncomfortable talking to their kids about sex and 64% reported that their parents didn’t do a good job talking to them. How do we engage in this important conversation with our kids with confidence as well as effectiveness?

On this episode of the Better Together Podcast, I’m talking Lauren Snyder, Executive Director of Ministry at CedarCreek Church in Perrysburg, OH. Join our conversation as we have a conversation about a topic that we hate talking to our kids about: SEX.

During this podcast, you hear and learn:

  • A fun story about the unconventional way that Lauren learned about the birds-and-the-bees;
  • Why parents must be the first and primary voice in their children's life regarding sex;
  • Lauren will equip you with phrases that we need to repeat early and often to our kids to keep them from developing body-related or sex-related shame.

During our podcast, Lauren also named a few of the resources that she provided to Lydia. We’ve also included those links for you:

As Lauren recommends, please read these resources before handing them off with your kids. You’ll want to be aware and equipped to receive the questions that your child might ask, rather than scrambling to do damage control or untwist any misconceptions.

What if you’re afraid to teach your kids about sex because you feel ashamed or guilty about your past?

Romans 8:1 says that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. If God has forgiven you, then you need to let His forgiveness in to clear your heart and mind and not block it with your guilt, shame or self-hatred. If you don't accept God's forgiveness, you'll miss an opportunity to testify to your kids about how God forgives and how we can be set free from guilt and shame.

What if you don’t know what the Bible says about sex?

This is a common question. There are a lot of people who are confused about what the Bible does and doesn't teach about sex. Now, there are an endless list of resources and perspectives. Here is a "starter" list for adults who want to learn more. You're welcome to share your suggestion on the blog page. 

The Gift of Sex in Marriage - sermon by Ben Snyder, CedarCreek Church)  

If you’re single – Love, Sex and Dating by Andy Stanley

If you’re married – Sheet Music by Kevin Leman

For Women Only – by Shaunti Feldhahn

Pornography - Resources available at XXXChurch.com

 

Jan 8, 2018

What do you do when you hear a child say negative things like, "I'm stupid," "I suck," "I can't do anything right," or "I'm worthless"? 

It's a new year and new episodes of the Better Together podcast! Today's episode is a critical conversation for all parents and anyone with influence in a child, teen or young adult's life. 

Here's our question: How do we teach a child to get back up again emotionally after getting knocked down by failure, a mistake, bullying or careless words? There's one skill that we must teach our kids because it's not a skill that they learn naturally. Unfortunately, it's a skill that too many adults don't know how to use either. But, we can learn!

Today's Better Together Podcast guest is marriage and family expert, Kim Fredrickson. She's the author of the new book, Give Your Kids a Break: Parenting with Compassion for You and Your Children. You are invited to be part of this critical dialogue that's needed now, more than ever!

Here's what you'll learn about today:

  • Why self-compassion is the key to bouncing back quickly from mistakes;
  • How to use the language of self-compassion;
  • The important difference between self-compassion and self-pity;
  • Compassionate words to say to yourself as a parent when you make a mistake with your kids

I'm passionate about today's conversation because I've read Kim's books and I use the language of self-compassion with myself. Self-compassion helps me to get to the heart of my mistakes, own my mistakes, overcome any shame or guilt and not beat myself up.

After you listen to today's podcast, I'm going to ask you to do the following:

First, share this episode with your mom and dad friends. Everyone needs to hear this message. Second, get Kim's book, Give Your Kids a Break, for more practical advice and help. She has a 1-2-3 Start List for beginning the self-compassion conversation with your kids.

Links from today's show

Kim's website (You can find her on social media from her website.)

Give Your Kids a Break by Kim Fredrickson  

Give Yourself a Break by Kim Fredrickson (download first chapter for free!)

 

Better Together podcast is hosted by Barb Roose, a speaker and author passionate about helping women win at life with strength and dignity. This podcast releases new episodes twice a month. Listen to previous episodes at Barbroose.com/bettertogether. Connect with Barb on social media at fb.com/barbararoose or @barbroose on Twitter/Insta. 

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