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 What is your mission as you parent right now? How are you being authentic and vulnerable as you share your own stories with others? How can you better participate in active listening with your adult children Are your prayers focusing on expressing love and support, or are they attempts at controlling your kids? 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 Within your number, what instinct do you fall in? Self preserving, sexual, or social? Look up your number plus your instince and see what it says to increase your self awareness. Where do you fall in the conflict triad? What can you do to broaden your skill set in conflict (get practical and specific). When can you create a time to discuss the principles in this episode with your spouse? WE LOVE OUR SPONSOR - LEGACY CHANGER

It's one of our favorite episodes of the year. Word has it, it's one of yours too. In honor of Valentine's Day here are a few things we are "loving" right now. From our favorite boots to our must have nail polish, this episode settles in on the practical. It is THINGS we love after all. This is the one time each year we give it to you sister to sister, the things that are making our life work, or at least a little more enjoyable. Click on this link to get the e-booklet with all of the links to the items we talk about. You. Do. Not. Want. To. Miss. This.  

Do you ever feel you are living in a world gone mad? Do you question whether peace is really possible? Brant Hansen, author and popular radio host, joins us for this important conversation with his quick wit and thoughtful ideas. We talk about being unoffendable and choosing peace, what it looks like to outsource our worries to God, and how we can trust God's plan, even when life spins out of control. Brant also explores the beauty of the Kingdom of God and the transformative power of focusing on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. He encourages us to memorize scripture as a way to combat anxiety and replace negative thoughts with God’s truth. If you want more freedom, gratitude, and joy in your life, tune in. SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW Life is Hard, God is Good, Let’s Dance by Brant Hansen Unoffendable by Brant Hansen Unoffendable Study Guide with DVD Dallas Willard “Joy is a pervasive sense of well being regardless of circumstances.” Patriots Super Bowl Comeback Game Highlights This Cultural Moment Podcast Episode – Resilient Faith with New Testament Scholar Dr. Jerry Sittser (we are not the only Christians in history who have struggled) Tim Ferris   QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE With whom do you need to be more unoffendable? How can you better cultivate peace in your life? What are you putting your attention on that needs to shift? What would it look like to dance? WE LOVE OUR SPONSOR! Check out the Legacy Changer book by Kristen Hallinan.     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

You know the moment. You've said "Hello", but don't know what to say next? Yeah, we know that moment too. Which is why we are doing an episode on what to say when you've forgotten someone's name and you really feel like you should know it. Or you run into somebody at the grocery store and don't want to get into the hard details of how life has actually been going. We are all human. We don't always have the perfect response or eloquent conversation starter. This episode won't change that, but it might get you thinking about how to handle the most common moments in your own life when you feel a bit tongue-tied. We are here to think ahead together so that we can be intentional in those slightly awkward moments with people we know and those we don't. How do we operate in the world when we want to be kind, honest, and also curious...and are just at a loss for words? This episode is meant to give some practical suggestions from our podcast hosts Krista and Alex AND is meant to get a conversation started. Comment below on what you say, when you have forgotten somebody's name.   A few things mentioned in this episode: Knowing What to Say: Finding the words to fit any situation by American Girl Harvard's blog about The FORD Method The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon Sharon McMahon aka @sharonsaysso on Instagram The Gottman Institute Some questions for reflection -How do you want people to feel as you are having a conversation? -Where do you tend to get stuck in small talk? -How can you be prepared before you go into a situation so that you can avoid some conflict? -What are some scripts you can have ready?

Are you someone who wants change but is afraid of the unknown? Do you ever wonder what would be on the other side of making a move that feels uncomfortable? Joining us today is best selling author, speaker, TV personality, and coach Michelle McKinney Hammond. Splitting time between Ghana and Chicago, Michelle is no stranger to change and innovation. She has moved from writing to speaking to singing to fashion designing to conference hosting… and more. At every stage Michelle evolves and creates, and she encourages us to do the same. We also dive into the topic of mindset and why this is vital for the health and thriving of our lives. In this interview you will laugh, be inspired, and sharpened. If you want to get better at embracing change, listen in! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MICHELLE Book: When Shift Happens Visit her website to learn more SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW The Design Lab -Stanford Genesis 2 Rock for the Rock – Michelle and Relevance (music) JOIN THE 7 DAY MASTER YOUR MINDSET CHALLENGE!   QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What do I really want?  What change in my life can I embrace as a pathway to new opportunity? What part of my mindset needs to shift so I can see the change in my life differently? How can I invite God into the change happening in my life?  What would that look like?   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!

There's no kinda stress like money stress. The good news is the new year offers an opportunity to examine our spending habits and their root causes. We didn't want this new year marker to pass without looking at how we can evaluate our tendencies and be intentional with how and where we spend. We brought you the best for this conversation. Shawna and David Sullivan discuss the importance of addressing money issues in the new year with honesty and no judgement. They highlight the three primary mistakes people make with money: overspending, mindless spending, and oversaving. They emphasize the need to address the heart issues behind these mistakes and approach money as a reflection of values and priorities. Shawna and David also share their personal experiences in navigating money differences in their 20-year marriage. They offer a great reminder that this conversation around money decisions is bathed in grace. Jesus is better than anything money can buy. We can encourage each other in that good news as we make daily decisions with our money. Connect with David and Shawna Through Shawna's website or Instagram A few things mentioned mint.com ynab.com (You Need A Budget) The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper Shawna's download 7 Do's and Don'ts for Your Time and Money in the New Year Some questions for reflection (from Shawna's download) When thinking of spending, ask yourself: Does this line up with my values? Is this necessary? What is one investment goal I have for this year? Head over to Shawna's website to find more thoughtful questions to get your spending lined up with your priorities.

Do you feel frustrated and a bit confused about how to best care for your body in midlife? You are in good company. In this episode health coach Megan Dahlman encourages us to focus on four essential pillars of health. Most of us are good at one or two, but rarely all four. Megan educates us on what we need to know about bone density, muscle mass, healing, and balance, and why these are especially important in our season of life. Our health is vital to our wellbeing. If you are a woman in midlife, or approaching midlife, you want to hear what’s in this episode! Find Megan Dahlman on her website or Instagram WHAT YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones Balance ideas you can do while brushing your teeth Fast Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Pelz Jumpstart 30 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE Which pillar of health needs your attention this year? Fitness, nutrition, stress management, or sleep? What is one habit you can stack on another to increase your health? (ie. mobility exercises while brushing teeth) Knowing muscle mass and bone density are critical to aging well, what is one pivot you can make to incorporate more strength exercises? Do you tend to be more like the tortoise or the hare? In what area would it be beneficial for you to become Team Tortoise? FOUR PILLARS OF HEALTH IN MIDLIFE FITNESS NUTRITION STRESS MANAGEMENT SLEEP 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!