Do you have a high school graduate this year? Or does someone you know? In this episode Alex is interviewing Krista, asking questions such as: -How do you celebrate a high school senior well? -How do you help them practically prepare for college? -How do you say goodbye when it’s time for them to leave (nooooooo… I’m not ready!)? -And what do you do about this grief over the loss?

In this conversation, you will find practical advice and helpful questions to ask. Krista emphasizes the importance of communication, setting expectations, and planning ahead. She also discusses ways to make graduation and the moment of departure feel special and recognized.

No matter where you find yourself – fully party planned or not even started, happy or sad, prepared or completely unprepared, this episode is for you!

A FEW THINGS MENTIONED

HOW WE SAY GOODBYE BEFORE OUR CHILDREN GO TO COLLEGE

Takeaways

• Communicate with your child about their expectations and what success looks like to them
• Plan and budget for the expenses of launching a child to college
• Make graduation and the moment of departure feel special and recognized
• Acknowledge and cope with the emotions and grief that may arise during this transition
• Find joy in the journey and embrace the new chapter

Before College weekend questions

• What will make this fun for you?
• What will make this feel special for you?
• What does support look like to you during this time?

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE

1. What conversation do you need to have with your child now about graduation coming up?
2. What is important to you as you mark this transition?
3. What can you do now to practically prepare for fall?
4. How can you have that significant conversation with your child before he/she leaves?

What if instead of fighting our family, we fought FOR our family? This is the charge Chris and Julie Bennett are putting in front of us. That sounds like something we want to do, but how do we practically implement it?

The Bennetts give us practical ways to implement grace, forgiveness, and hope into our relationships with our children, our spouse, and those we bring into our family fold. Family is about belonging - so our aim is to create a place of honesty, safety, and grace. Chris and Julie speak from a lifetime of fighting for their family together.

If you are needing both some inspiration and practical help today, this conversation is for you. The world hands us a lot to deal with, especially in midlife. We don't have to fight with those we love, as much as we have to fight for a family culture that demonstrates wild love.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHRIS & JULIE BENNETT

Chris & Julie's - website

Chris Bennett's - Instagram

Julie Bennett's - Instagram

Chris and Julie's book- Fighting For Family

A FEW THINGS MENTIONED

The chosen - Tv show

1 peter 1:23- Imperishable seed

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE

1. What would it look like to fight for your family in this season, rather than fight with your family?
2. Think of someone in your life who seems particularly complicated, how can you embrace them in their complexity?
3. Who or what do you need to forgive?
4. What prayer can you craft for your children to pray over them consistently?

LET’S CONNECT!

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

Have you ever asked the question, "Does anyone like me?" Maybe people used to like you, but you are wondering if they do now. Or maybe your son or daughter is asking that question.

Few admit they have these thoughts, and even less talk about them out loud. We're changing that! Today on the podcast we are discussing the topic of feeling liked and building friendships. We explore the middle school mentality that often resurfaces in adulthood, the impact of transitions on confidence, and the transfer of insecurities from failed relationships.

You will learn how many hours it takes to build a new friendship and what we can do to open ourselves up to new relationships.

Midlife can shift our friendships - we're here to help!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SARAH

Website: sarahbragg.com  Instagram: sarahwbragg

Sarah's Book- Is Everyone Happier Than Me?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The middle school mentality of questioning whether people like us often resurfaces in adulthood, especially during times of transition.
•  
• Being introspective and self-aware can help us recognize and address our insecurities and negative patterns of thinking.
•  
• Building friendships takes time, with casual friendships requiring 40-60 hours, and deeper friendships requiring over 200 hours of quality time together.
•  
• Being open to new friendships, even on a casual level, can lead to meaningful connections and a sense of belonging.
•  
• Noticing the good in ourselves and approaching relationships with curiosity and compassion can enhance our ability to build and maintain friendships.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE

1. Has there been a season or circumstance where you have been more prone to feeling like no one likes you?
2. How could you focus on showing how much you enjoy others around you today, rather than focus on how others feel about you?
3. What are some qualities you have that make you a good friend?
4. How could you convey a posture of openness to others around you today as you are out in the world?

 

Molly Stillman's story is not all laughter and fun. She lost her mother at an early age. But it was watching her parents maneuver through hardship with levity and humor that modeled to her that life is always a combination of good and hard. Through their story and her own - Molly offers concrete examples of how taking ourselves and our circumstances too seriously can rob of us the joy that is also available.

In this episode, Molly emphasizes the importance of the human experience in balancing joy and pain. Whether it's cracking a joke to break tension in a moment or realigning what is important when details of life surprise us, you will be encouraged that in your disappointment, frustration, or grief, you can have a lens of holding everything with lightness. God's plan is always at work. We can allow laughter and levity in to places and moments that need the reminder that there is still good news and goodness in our days.

Connect with Molly

Molly's website and Instagram

Molly's Book: If I don't laugh, I will cry

A few things mentioned on the show

China Beach Tv show

Airplane movie

Questions to Help You Rise

1. What kind of humor do yo enjoy?
2. What is your natural response when faced with a stressful situation?
3. How could you add some levity to your responses?
4. What could you incorporate to your life to bring more lightness?
5. In what relationship do you need to add some humor, some play, or levity?

Do you fear artificial intelligence (AI)? or augmented reality (AR)? Do you wonder what is going to happen if we, as a culture, transition to using these technologies more and more?

We wonder that too. That's why we decided to have Jen Richey on the podcast. Jen is the Chief Strategy Officer of Gravity Jack, Inc. an augmented and virtual reality company. She is also a committed Christian who is striving to use their technology to further the gospel message in the world.

In this conversation, Jen helps us define artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) and how they can be used as tools. Most notably, she emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations and biases of AI and the need to be discerning when using AI tools (this was an especially surprising part).

Jen also shares her personal journey with technology and how her faith has influenced her work in the tech industry. She encourages all of us to approach technology with wisdom and to find ways to do our creative best to use it for the Kingdom purposes.

You will walk away from this episode less fearful of technology and more inspired to use it for good!

Find out more about Jen Richey

on LinkedIn follow on Instagram or check out her website gravityjack.com

SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW

ChatGPT

Bible GPT

War Tribe of Benyamin AR game

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE

What new insight did you discover about AI or AR after listening to this episode? 

In what way have you allowed fear to root inside of you surrounding technology? 

What action do you feel led to take after listening to this episode?

What good could you bring to the world using technology? 

Our bodies are changing...and well...that means our bodies are changing ;).

Our trusted, go-to OBGYN, Dr. Carol Tanksle,y is back on the show to remind us that as our bodies change our need for intimacy does not. In fact, midlife can be a time of great emotional upheaval, or at least of emotional awareness, which can then impact how we experience sex. The combination of physical changes with all of the other external life circumstance changes, it's no surprise our bodies don't respond like they did twenty or even ten years ago.

After decades of working as a physician and speaking with thousands of women, Dr. Carol gives incredible advice to both married and single women about the need for intimacy and self-care during midlife. As whole people, we must address all areas of ourselves in order to be fully healthy.

No topic is off limits and we know this is one you want to talk about, so here we are. Sex in midlife. It's a thing. Let's make it a very good thing as God intended.

Connect with Dr. Carol

On her website

A few things mentioned on the shoe

Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships

Good Clean Love personal lubricant

Geneev.com

Dr. Carol's Guide to Women's Health

Dr. Carol's episode with us on menopause

Dr. Juli Slattery's episode on Difficult Conversations: Talking About Sexuality

Questions to Help You Rise

• How is midlife impacting your body?
•  
• How are you feeling about sex these days?
•  
• If you are married, how can you talk to your spouse about sex and what you would like?
•  
• What is one thing you can do today to "deal with your stuff" as Dr. Carol mentions at the end of the episode?

Do you struggle with aging? Do you look in the mirror and wonder where the person you used to be went? Or maybe you are even having a hard time reading this description because your eye sight is changing but you don’t want to get glasses.

In this conversation, Heather Creekmore, author and coach, discusses the fear of aging otherwise known as Gerascophobia – yes, there is really a name for it. She highlights the cultural shifts and ageism that contribute to this fear, as well as the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards.

Heather emphasizes the importance of settling the heart issue and finding contentment in our identity, rather than relying on external validation. She also addresses the personal choices we make regarding our appearance and the need to avoid judgment towards others.

This episode explores the challenges and questions that arise with aging, particularly in relation to physical appearance and body changes. It delves into topics such as dealing with gray hair, struggling with body changes and weight gain, settling identity, and embracing aging gracefully and gratefully.

Let’s be people at Our Time To Rise who get BETTER with age!

Find out more about Heather Creekmore: On her website OR Instagram

SOMETHINGS YOU HEARD IN THE SHOW

Netflix show: Nailed it

Heather’s book: The 40 Day Body Image Workbook

“Do we want to believe the word or do we want to believe the world?”

“Who do I want to become? and how do I become that person now?”

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE

In what area are you most struggling with aging?

What does God want you to know about this area of your life?

What is unique about the age you are right now that you don’t want to miss?

Who do you want to become?

LET’S CONNECT!

Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.

Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!

Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

Just because we are middle-aged doesn't mean we need to look frumpy. In fact, fashion stylists and Instagram duo Julie Powell and Krista Olufson teach us just the opposite. This is a time in our lives when we want to feel good. How we dress in the morning can help with that.

On their Instagram profile @lastseenwearing, Julie and Krista teach us how to style clothes instead of just wearing them. From accessories (hello belts are a big deal!) to the cut of a jean, we talk through how we can look fresh and up to date as our bodies and styles change. It's the small things that make us look put together and then we feel our best as we walk through our days.

If you are looking for some practical help in how to be age-appropriate in your fashion (we do not need to dress like our daughters) while also current, this episode is for you. Because as we rise to meet life's challenges we want to look and feel our best.

Connect with Krista and Julie

on Instagram and website

Some things mentioned

Comfortable shoe brands:

-Dolce vita

-Birken stock- Sandals

-Dr scholl's

-Mephisto- Sandals

-Sam Edelman

Jewellery:

-Miranda Frye

-Maggie bracelet

-Risen Jewellery- Christian Jewellery

-Kinsley Armelle

Some questions to help you rise

1. Do you feel tension between your faith and an interest in fashion?

2. What action step could you take to organize your current clothes into styled outfits?

3. When you do an inventory of your clothes, what do you have enough of and need to stop buying?  

4. What can you purchase to make more styled outfits with what you already have?

5. How could you use accessories to spice up your current outfit?

Do you want to make the most of your natural beauty? Do you want to feel good in the clothes you are wearing?

In this conversation, Rebecca Reid, a certified personal color analyst, discusses the power of color analysis and how it can enhance personal style and beauty. She explains that each person is unique and their coloring should be reflected in their color palette.

Rebecca also discusses the comeback color analysis is making in the world and the benefits it offers, such as simplifying decision-making and saving time and money. We camp in the idea of "harmony" in color choices and how it be a game changer as we consider how to look our best.

We define such terms as undertone, value range, and chroma and why these matter. You will be happy to also know that the colors that looks best on you also apply to make up. Yes ladies, we get to simplify our make-up drawers in this episode also (BIG win)!

If you are curious about how color can help you feel and look your best, this episode is for you.

Find Rebecca

Rebecca's: website and Instagram

Some Things You Heard on the Show:

Jewish Matchmaking on Netflix

The Munsell System (color analysis)

True Color International

 

Question to help you rise:

1. When you heard Rebecca talking about how God made your coloring uniquely and intentionally, how did that make you feel?

2. When have you felt “in harmony” with your coloring?  

3. How could you cultivate more peace with how God made you?

4. How could you simplify your closet and make up drawer based on what you learned today?

Parenting young adults is no joke. We have all of the same love for them and yet little control. We watch them make decisions and wonder where we fit in their lives these days.

 

We invited author and mom Mary Demuth to the show to discuss challenges parents face when their children become adults. Mary reminds us that parenting is an ongoing journey, and parents still have a mission once their children leave home.

 

Mary provides practical advice on how to love, listen, and pray for adult children, and how important it is for a parent to be authentic and vulnerable in sharing their stories as a way of helping their children  transition to adulthood.

 

Mary emphasizes the importance of being an active listener in maintaining a strong relationship with the children while setting boundaries and practicing independence.

 

This can be a lonely time for parents and we want to face these challenges together!

 

Find Mary

 

Mary’s book- Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy 

Mary’s website and Instagram

 

What you heard on the show

 

Mary’s 52 weekly prayer pdf

 

Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

Questions to help you Rise

1. What is your mission as you parent right now?

2. How are you being authentic and vulnerable as you share your own stories with others?

3. How can you better participate in active listening with your adult children

4. Are your prayers focusing on expressing love and support, or are they attempts at controlling your kids?

5. How can you pray towards God’s heart for them this week?

Buckle up Enneagram lovers – we’re diving into your favorite topic in light of marriage today. If you want to be more self aware, and improve how you operate in your most primary relationship, this episode is for you.

Joining us is Christa Hardin, therapist and Enneagram expert. She is host of the popular Enneagram + Marriage podcast.

Today she helps us understand why understanding our Instincts within each number of the Enneagram is important, why knowing where we are in the Conflict Triad matters, and how we can be more whole and balanced as a couple using the strengths of each group.

From self-soothing techniques to language we can use for greater connection, Christa illuminates how this tool can help us in growing and deepening love.

CHRISTA’S BOOK

The Enneagram in Marriage

  PREVIOUS ENNEAGRAM EPISODES TO LISTEN TO

What’s your number? Understanding the Enneagram 101 with Suzanne Stabile The Enneagram and Spiritual Health with Doug and Adele Calhoun The Enneagram and Your Authentic Self with Marilyn Vancil

A QUICK RUN DOWN DESCRIPTION OF EACH NUMBER

Type 1 – The Improver Type 2- The Giver Type 3 – The Achiever Type 4 – The Individualist Type 5- The Observer Type 6- The Trust Builder Type 7- The Enthusiast Type 8- The Protector Type 9- The Peace Maker

UNDERSTANDING INSTINCTS WITHIN EACH NUMBER

Self Preserving Instinct – take care of you and your family using security measures

Sexual Instinct – the desire to create together; to merge and attract

Social Instinct – the desire for social connection and purpose

CONFLICT TRIADS (HARMONIC GROUP) – KNOWING HOW YOU CAN WORK THROUGH CONFLICT

Types 2, 7, + 9 – Positivity types – think in ideals, comfort, love

Types 1, 3, + 5 – Linear and logical types in conflict

Types 6, 8, + 4 – Emotional reactivity and passion types – deeper and more passionate care- OK putting cards on the table and showing how they really feel.

The best is when we can combine positivity, depth / passion, and maintain logic. When couples do all three, they start to argue in ways that get traction.

“Where there is life, there’s hope.”

-Tolkien SELF SOOTHING TECHNIQUES

• Take deep breaths
• Lament (ie. who your spouse isn’t)
• Take time with the Lord
• Go on a walk
• Take a break from conflict

 

“Focus on what you are together as a couple instead of what you aren’t.”

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE

1. Within your number, what instinct do you fall in? Self preserving, sexual, or social?
2. Look up your number plus your instince and see what it says to increase your self awareness.
3. Where do you fall in the conflict triad?
4. What can you do to broaden your skill set in conflict (get practical and specific).
5. When can you create a time to discuss the principles in this episode with your spouse?

WE LOVE OUR SPONSOR - LEGACY CHANGER