Podcast – PRN

October 15, 2019October 15, 2019

Soul Care Practices: with Deni Huttula, LPCA, & Kate Wimberly, LPC

How does one practice healthy soul care? In the midst of our busy lives, caring for ourselves can often take a backseat. It was my joy to interview two of my colleagues, Deni Huttula, LPCA, and Kate Wimberly, LPC, to have a conversation all about soul care. As therapists, both Deni and Kate share their experiences of teaching soul care practices to their clients as well as ways that they incorporate it in their own lives.

Therapists Deni Huttula, LPCA, and Kate Wimberly, LPC, talk about self-care practices that they find helpful.

You will hear the terms self-care and soul-care interchangeably throughout the podcast. However, I love the term soul-care, because I think the phrase is more life-giving and all-encompassing. I define soul-care as integrating the care of our relationships, our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. I love the way Kate defines soul-care during the podcast interview: “it’s any healthy behavior that sets my soul on fire, that makes me feel alive, and I know my soul is nourished through it.”

During our conversation, Deni shared that body awareness is an important part of her own self-care. She specifically mentioned two resources that she often uses with her clients to help with regulation and mindfulness:

Both Kate and Deni discussed their favorite Scriptures during the podcast and explained why those particular passages minister to them personally. Kate shared that Joshua 10 is one of her favorite passages because, through the story of Joshua’s bold faith, she is being challenged in her own walk with the Lord. Deni’s favorite verse is reflective of her personality and our conversation about soul care:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

I loved this conversation, and I hope you came away from it with new encouragement and inspiration to better incorporate soul-care in your life. If anything from today’s episode resonated with you, please comment below, or join the community on PRN’s Facebook page.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

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October 1, 2019October 1, 2019

Esther Ahn Kim: Courageous through Suffering

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In this biography episode, we’ll dive into the life of a little-known saint: Esther Ahn Kim. She was faithful to the Lord, to her family, and to her country, Korea. Her story takes place in the years preceding and during World War II, when Korea was under Japanese rule. Through Esther Ahn Kim’s story, we are transported to a different time and place, but her faith story is still just as challenging and encouraging today.

After counting the cost, Esther Ahn Kim’s devotion to Christ landed her in prison.
*Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash

Esther Ahn Kim was brave, but her bravery came from the Lord, who took care of her at every turn. She was devoted, but her devotion came from the inner strength of the Holy Spirit. She prepared to suffer and disciplined herself to endure all that she must for the sake of being faithful to her Lord. Her story has much to teach us.

The material for this podcast episode came from two main sources: Esther Ahn Kim’s book, If I Perish, and Noel Piper’s book, Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God. If you would like to learn more about Esther Ahn Kim’s story, her biography, If I Perish, is an easy and exciting read. There is so much more shared in her book than I was able to convey in a podcast episode.

I loved so much about Esther Ahn Kim’s story, but what I found most compelling was how she counted the cost of her actions and always found Jesus worth the consequences. What stands out to you about her story? I’d love to hear about it! Comment below or on PRN’s Facebook page. If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, consider listening to one of these previous biography episodes:

Gladys Aylward: http://pauserenewnext.com/2018/12/04/woman-on-a-mission-the-story-of-gladys-aylward/

Sojourner Truth: http://pauserenewnext.com/2019/01/22/tall-within-the-story-of-sojourner-truth/

Josephine Butler: http://pauserenewnext.com/2019/04/02/an-advocate-for-the-exploited-the-josephine-butler-story/

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

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September 17, 2019September 17, 2019

Small Enough: An Interview with Betsy Bolick

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My friend Betsy is small in stature but is a powerhouse of the faith. It is my joy and privilege to share her story on this week’s podcast episode. In our conversation, Betsy discusses ways that disability and weakness have affected her life both physically and spiritually. She is honest about her daily struggles, but equally honest about how the Lord sustains her through them.

Betsy Bolick, my guest in this week’s podcast episode and founder of Small Enough Ministries.

Betsy says that, through the process of lamenting and questioning the Lord about the way He formed her, God showed her that He made her “small enough” for the purpose that He had for her. Betsy has since started a non-profit called Small Enough Ministries, through which she ministers to college athletes, leads Bible studies, and speaks at events. She also has a podcast that focuses on encouraging women through the study of God’s Word.

During this podcast episode, Betsy shares a passage of Scripture that is particularly meaningful for her:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
II Corinthians 4: 16-18

When asked about resources she would recommend, Betsy said that she highly recommends any book by Elisabeth Elliot or Joni Eareckson Tada. She also loves The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. Currently, she is reading and loving a book about lament called Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop.

I absolutely loved this interview, and I hope you come away from it encouraged in your faith. If it resonates with you in some way, please leave a comment below or join the conversation on PRN’s Facebook page.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

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September 3, 2019September 3, 2019

The Art of Losing: An Interview with Marti Ahlman

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In this podcast episode my guest, Marti Ahlman, eloquently recounts her experiences of grief and loss. She shares how the Lord has provided for and sustained her through each loss: from losing material possessions, to the loss of her husband. As a retired English teacher, Marti appreciates fine literature, and she uses the poem, One Art, by Elizabeth Bishop to illustrate her experience.

Marti Ahlman wears many hats: Daughter, Caregiver, Mother, and Grandmother

Marti shares about how through each loss she has encountered, she found the Lord faithful to provide for everything she needed: from food, to clothes, to a place to live. She also talks about relationships in which she was cared for during seasons of loss.

In the episode, Marti expressed that one book she appreciates is Hinds Feet on High Places, because it makes sense of the different seasons of life. More than any other book, however, she has found the Bible to be the book that she returns to and meditates on.

Scripture passages that she mentions in this podcast include:

Psalm 23 – which became literal for her, walking through the valley of the shadow of death, and living beside still waters.
Philippians 3: 7-9 – counting everything as loss for the sake of Christ
John 15 – the painful pruning process of suffering and the fruit it produces
II Corinthians 4: 17 – affliction preparing us for an eternal weight of glory

If something you heard in today’s podcast resonated with you, please comment below, or join the conversation on PRN’s Facebook page.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

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August 20, 2019September 2, 2019

Steadfast Love: An Interview with Kristen Gordon

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If you have ever found it difficult to “feel” God’s presence, then today’s episode will minister to you. It was my privilege to interview Kristen Gordon about her journey of faith. Kristen is candid and authentic about how she has struggled to feel God’s love and have enthusiasm in her faith. We talk about how experiencing disappointment shook her ability to trust, and conversely how support from others in the church gave her the freedom to be honest about her struggles.

Kristen shares how over time she has experienced pendulum swings in her faith, but in this season she is experiencing spiritual growth by spending consistent time in God’s Word. Through allowing Scripture to change her day by day, she is encountering and meditating on God’s steadfast love.

We also discuss how the Enneagram has been a very helpful tool in her life for discovering and accepting her own personality and identity. She has found that it has helped her have more compassion for herself, in marriage, and as a teacher.

During the episode, Kristen mentioned a particular Scripture that has been meaningful in her walk with the Lord:

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
Ezekiel 11:19 ESV

If this podcast episode resonates with you, please comment below or join the conversation on PRN’s Facebook page.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

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August 6, 2019August 6, 2019

Shine Like the Noonday: An Interview with Laura Leigh Moseley

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It was my joy to kick off a new season of the PRN podcast with my friend and fellow Enneagram 2, Laura Leigh Moseley. She has many roles in life: saleswoman, wife, mom, teacher, and advocate, and we talk about all of these roles in this week’s podcast. Laura Leigh works as an ambassador for Noonday Collection, and in this episode she tells her story of becoming involved in issues of fair trade and social justice as well as the larger story of Noonday and its mission to fight global poverty.

My guest: Laura Leigh Moseley, Noonday Ambassador

During our conversation, Laura Leigh shares about a recent trip she took to Ecuador, in which she was able to meet some of the Noonday artisans. She talks about the impact of meeting the artisans face to face and highlights some of the stories behind the jewelry that she sells. We also take a deep dive into Enneagram territory, and Laura Leigh explains how learning more about the Enneagram and her own personality has given her a better understanding of herself, her marriage, and her calling.

In this episode, Laura Leigh mentions three books that have had an impact on her personally:

Radical by David Platt
Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ronald Sider
Generous Justice by Tim Keller

Off the air, she also recommends a few other resources that have influenced her and given her a better understanding of poverty and social justice:

Imperfect Courage – Jessica Honegger
When Helping Hurts – Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett
Just Mercy – Bryan Stevenson
Kisses from Katie – Katie Davis

This interview was so much fun! The Enneagram, social justice, Scripture – we talk about it all!

The name Noonday comes from Isaiah:

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:10 NIV

If you are interested in learning more about Noonday and want to peruse the jewelry and pieces they offer, you can check out their website at https://www.noondaycollection.com/ .

If this podcast episode resonates with you, feel free to share it with others, comment below, or join the community on PRN’s facebook page.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

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May 28, 2019May 28, 2019

Becoming a Doula: An Interview with Brenna Turner

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In this podcast episode, my guest Brenna Turner shares all about the life experiences and faith journey that led to her becoming a doula. She explains that motherhood has always been her focus and dream and that through her work as a doula she has the opportunity to encourage other moms as well.

Brenna Turner, doula at The Birth Beacon

Brenna remembers that from a very early age her family was having conversations around birth, but it wasn’t until the birth of her own children that she began to look into doula work. She has a passion for equipping and encouraging women through pregnancy, birth, and through the postpartum period.

A Scripture Brenna has found applicable and encouraging in her own life is:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

To find out more about Brenna’s work and ministry as a doula, check out her website: thebirthbeacon.com. If you enjoy this podcast or know someone who would be encouraged by this episode, please subscribe and share! You can also join in the conversation about this episode at PRN’s facebook page.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus!

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May 14, 2019May 28, 2019

Heart Cries of Every Teen: An Interview with Jackie Perry, LPCS

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In this podcast episode, Jackie Perry, LPCS, confides that her mission in her counseling practice, and also in her new book, Heart Cries of Every Teen: Eight Core Desires That Demand Attention, is to equip parents to better connect with the hearts of their teens.

This episode is the continuation of a two-part interview. In the first podcast episode, Jackie shared elements of her faith journey about authoring her first book. In this second podcast episode, Jackie dives into the content of her book, discussing elements of parenting, adolescent development, and soul care.

Heart Cries of Every Teen: Eight Core Desires That Demand Attention will be published in the fall of 2019 and will be available on Amazon. Jackie’s hope and prayer is that her book will help “put fresh wind in parent’s sails.”

If something you heard on this podcast episode resonated with you, please comment below, or join in the conversation on PRN’s Facebook page. If you know someone who would be encouraged by hearing the content of this episode, please pass it on!

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

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April 30, 2019May 6, 2019

Open Invitation: An Interview with Jackie Perry, LPCS

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In this podcast episode, Jackie Perry, Licensed Professional Counselor and author, delves into the story of how the Lord led her into the counseling ministry. She also shares about her journey into the writing world, describing the hardships and the encouragements along the journey.

Throughout her life, Jackie says that she has had a desire to tell stories and put things together for the benefit of others. After the birth of her third child, the Lord reawakened her dream of writing. However, in the last few years while writing her book, she has found the work to be much more challenging and life-changing than she envisioned. She describes feeling like she needed to write this book and feeling like the Lord had given her an open invitation to do so.

“I felt very invited by the Lord. It’s never been a burden. I think I’ve felt like it’s been a burden, but I feel like He’s invited me all along on this journey to write this.”
-Jackie Perry, LPCS

When asked about a Scripture passage that she clings to, Jackie replied that there is a passage that has been a life verse for her:

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.

Psalm 73:25-28 NASB

If you enjoyed this episode, check back in two weeks to hear the second part of the interview, where Jackie dives into the content of her book about needs of the heart.

If something you heard on this podcast resonated with you, please comment below, or join in the conversation on PRN’s Facebook page.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

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April 16, 2019April 16, 2019

Chosen and Cherished: An Adoption Story with Becky Collier

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In this episode, Becky shares how the Lord led her family to adopt their twin girls from Ukraine. She eloquently speaks of the hurdles and rewards of adoption and special needs parenting. Throughout the interview, she shares powerfully how, through the adoption of her daughters, the Lord is producing the fruit of the Spirit in both her life and the lives of her children.

Becky, my guest on this podcast, shares about how the Lord led her into adoption and special needs parenting.

In this episode, Becky lists a few resources that she has found particularly helpful in parenting:

Shepherding a Child’s Heart, by Tedd Tripp
The Connected Child, by Karyn Purvis, Ph.D., David Cross, Ph.D., and Wendy Lyons Sunshine

Empowered to Connect, mentioned in today’s podcast, is a great ministry that helps equip adoptive and foster parents in how to raise children that “come from hard places.”

Also mentioned in this podcast is Reece’s Rainbow, which is a special needs adoption support ministry.

Becky shares that one of her favorite Scripture passages is Psalm 107. She particularly clings to the last verse in the chapter:

Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things
and consider the Lord’s acts of faithful love.
Psalm 107:43 HCSB

If this podcast encouraged you or resonated with you in some way, please feel free to to share it with others. You can join in the conversation at PRN’s Facebook page as well.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus!

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