Podcast

This week on Thrive, we are talking with Amy Seiffert about making changes to your diet, your spiritual diet. 

 

Amy helps us see that we consuming, we’re filling up, we’re taking in, but at the end of the day, our souls are still starving. So many of us feel dissatisfied and empty—emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. Our lives are rushed, and overflowing, and we’re low on joy, fulfillment, peace, and purpose.

 

In this episode, we explore:

• Spiritual malnourishment: what it is and how to recognize it

• Practical, tangible ways to nourish your soul

• The importance of creating habits and starting slow

• How shame is keeping you disconnected 

• Why community is crucial for your spiritual diet 

 

Amy Seiffert is the author of Grace Looks Amazing on You and is on the teaching team at Brookside Church. She is an affiliate Cru staff member and a regular YouVersion Bible teacher. She loves to travel and speak (and try new foods on all of her adventures!). Amy is married to her college sweetheart, Rob, and they live in Bowling Green, Ohio, with their three kids.

 

Links to great things we discussed:

Starved: Why We Need a Spiritual Diet Change to Move Us from Tired, Anxious,and Overwhelmed to Fulfilled, Whole, and Free

Amy Seiffert

Luke 15:20

The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown

 

Let’s get social: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

 

I’d love a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts if you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

 

Have a great week! 

 

Melissa 

 

Check out this episode!

This week on Thrive, we are tackling a tough but important topic: suffering. 

 

The theology of suffering is something most of us wrestle with at some point in our lives. Asking questions like, if God is good, then how can He allow bad things to happen? Or, why does God allow good people to go through bad things? 

 

In this episode, we sit down with Pastor and past Thrive guest, Mike Novotny discussing his latest book, When Life Hurts. 

 

We discuss: 

• Ways to prepare our hearts for suffering without living in fear

• Practical steps to take when you’re going through suffering: avoiding toxic positivity, taking time to process your emotions, and finding ways to practice gratitude 

• Examples of how to love others when they are going through difficult seasons 

• The most dangerous question to ask in the midst of suffering 

 

Pastor Mike Novotny has served God’s people in full-time ministry since 2007 in Madison and, most recently, at The CORE in Appleton, Wisconsin. He also serves as the lead speaker for Time of Grace, where he shares the good news about Jesus through television, print, and online platforms.

 

Connect with Mike, 

When Life Hurts: How to See Through Suffering

Time of Grace
The Core Church

Let’s get social: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

 

I’d love a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts if you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

 

Have a great week! 

 

Melissa 

Check out this episode!

This week on Thrive, we are talking with Dr. Amy O’Hana about burnout. According to a new report, more than half of American workers (59%) experience at least moderate levels of burnout. In mainstream medicine, burnout is now recognized as a legitimate medical disorder with its ICD-10 code.

 

In this episode, we discuss the following: 

• The definition of burnout

• How burnout is different from depression and anxiety, although it may look similar 

• Why burnout is detrimental

• Practical solutions for managing burnout for yourself or loved ones

 

Dr. Amy O’Hana is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Oregon and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (CCE). She has been a full-time counselor educator for 19 years, manages her private practice, and has been the director of two counseling training clinics. Her clinical expertise is in ethics; diagnosis and assessment; career and vocational counseling; grief, loss, and adjustment; and clinical training in practicum and internship. She has taught at UWS as a full-time CMHC faculty member since July 2021.

Links to great things we discussed: 

Amy O’Hana

What to Do When Your Work Isn’t Working for You

 

Let’s get social:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts if you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week!

Melissa

 

Check out this episode!

This week we taking a fresh look at self-care. 

 

If you’ve been listening for a while, you know I’m a big believer in self care. Many people confuse self-care with bubble baths and manicures. These are great! Nevertheless, they only give a glimpse into the true meaning of self-care.

 

Self care is simply caring for yourself. 

 

This sounds simple, but in reality, it’s pretty complex. This definition implies that you care about yourself. You may struggle to feel worthy. (If this resonates, go back and listen to this episode.) 

 

The other struggle you may have is understanding who you are. The enneagram is a wonderful tool to discover more about yourself.

 

In this episode, we are talking with fellow counselor and past Thrive guest, Janice McWilliams about:

• How to use the Enneagram to understand specific ways to care for yourself

• Self-care based on your enneagram types

• Ways to practice self-care based on your enneagram type

 

Janice McWilliams (MDiv, LCPC), author of Restore My Soul: Reimagining Self-Care for a Sustainable Life, has nourished a lifelong curiosity about human nature. This has propelled her to serve in campus ministry, to speak and train groups in churches and organizations, and to work as a therapist, spiritual director, and writer. Her love of the depths and intrigue of the human experience is matched by her desire to find her place in God’s work of restoring and revitalizing souls everywhere. 

 

Resources:

Janice McWilliams 

Restore My Soul: Reimagining Self-Care for a Sustainable Life

The Road Back to You

 

Let’s get social: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

 

I’d love a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts if you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

 

Have a great week!

 

Melissa

Check out this episode!

Last week, we talked with Lisa Boucher about her steps to recovery from alcoholism.

Today, we are continuing the conversation about addictions with my guest, Colleen Ryan Hensley

It’s no surprise that we are struggling emotionally. A recent study found that 40% of participants suffered symptoms of depression or anxiety (up from 11% in 2019) while more than 23 million Americans reported having a substance use disorder.

My guest is taking a unique approach to sobriety and recovery by encouraging her clients to binge sober. 

Colleen Ryan Hensley is a 10-year Navy veteran, candidate for Certified Mental Performance Coach with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (appliedsportpsych.org), and founder of Grace C. Ryan Performance (armoredgrace.com). 

Colleen struggled with depression, alcohol abuse, and intermittent suicidal thoughts for over 20 years before finding healing and recovery. She champions proactive mental health and optimal wellness from a personal experience. 

*I want to give a trigger warning, in this episode, we talk about Colleen’s sexual trauma.*

In this episode, we discuss the following: 

• The power of facing your trauma
• How trauma correlates with addictions
• Practical, tangible steps to help you develop habits to live healthier, more whole lives 

Resources:

• Website: colleenryanhensley.com
• Grace C Ryan Foundation – https://www.armoredgrace.com/
• Instagram @colleenryanhensley

Let’s get social: 

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube

I’d love a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts if you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

 

Have a great week! 

Melissa

Check out this episode!