Authors Napper and Rao write, "We exist in a buzz of worry that we're not doing what we're meant to do, and the anxiety we feel, in turn, makes it difficult to get things done, creating a spiral of inaction. What we need is more agency: the ability to cut through all of what pulls at us, find emotional and physical balance, think more clearly and advocate for ourselves so we can take a course of action that makes sense. With agency, we can feel more in command of our lives." Today, we reimagine our personal sense of agency. What is personal agency? For many of us, we never learned or shaped a sense of agency in our childhood or adolescence. BUT, as adults, we can. With absolute certainty, we can develop this capability. Links + Resources from this Episode: Read more from Authors Napper and Rao: THE POWER OF AGENCY Grab a copy of Janell’s newest book: STRONGEREVERYDAY Subscribe to Janell’s podcast and newsletter: SUBSCRIBE Visit Janell’s site: MORE RESOURCES Follow Janell on Instagram: @janellrardon

Before listening today, take a few moments and look around at the place and space in which you currently find yourself. Activate your senses and notice. How do you feel in that place and space? Today's guest, Author Christie Purifoy, writes, “I want to observe the ordinary things of earth—the moon, the stars, the rainbows, even the yellow leaves of the old cherry trees—and receive their messages. To hear them say what every weary traveler, every earnest seeker, longs to hear. Welcome home.”   Links + Resources from this Episode:   Grab a copy of Christie’s newest book: GARDEN MAKER Meet Christie and Bask in Her Garden: CHRISTIE PURIFOY Subscribe to Janell’s podcast and newsletter: SUBSCRIBE Visit Janell’s site: MORE RESOURCES Follow Janell on Instagram: @janellrardon

Poet Mary Oliver poses a piercing question in her well-known poem, "The Summer Day." She asks, "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Heartlifter, there is a theme arising in Season 8, "Reimagine." Each guest, each conversation, inviting us to reimagine different aspects of life: the role of prayer, the impact of social media, the power of being seen, the effect our behaviors have on others, the need to detach in all the right ways, and the capacity to be intimate in our closest relationships. In today's episode, Janell shares how the subtle state of overwhelm snuck into her life, yet again, and how she is reimagining how she wants her one wild and precious life to look this year. Links + Resources from this Episode: Grab a copy of Janell’s book: STRONGER EVERY DAY Subscribe to the podcast: SUBSCRIBE Visit Janell’s site: MORE RESOURCES Order Stronger Every Day: 9 TOOLS Revisit Season 8: Episode 6: DETACHMENT Follow Janell on Instagram: @janellrardon    

It's February or as the Hallmark Channel is calling it, "Loveuary," so we're talking about SEX on this week's episode. Welcome, Gary Thomas, co-author of "Married Sex: A Christian Couple's Guide to Reimagining Your Love Life." In this very candid conversation, Gary mentions "5 Blocks to Bedroom Intimacy" and shares how "sacred simmering" can bring you and your spouse closer than ever. Links + Resources from This Episode: Grab a copy of Gary and Debra's book: MARRIED SEX Grab a copy of Janell’s book: STRONGER EVERY DAY Visit Gary’s site and subscribe to his newsletter: GARY THOMAS Revisit Podcast Episode: SECURE ATTACHMENT Revisit Podcast Episode: REAL LOVE IS SAFE Find me on Instagram @janellrardon  

Today, we open a much-needed, quite candid, conversation about the practice of "healthy detachment." "Wait a minute, Janell," you say. "You are supposed to be teaching us about healthy "secure attachment." Yes, you are right. But, after a seemingly silly holiday of banter about my very skinny pencil Christmas tree, I realized I had a little more work to do on strengthening my sense of self AND on the very unhealthy, really debilitating behavior of getting my self-worth or sense of okay-ness from the looks and words of those around me. As an Enneagram 2, I am prone to these "shadow sides" of personality, but it doesn't mean I like them. I am a firm believer that God helps us change and become stronger every day. I am not stopping now. I want to be my whole-est self. I pray my story informs your story.

In light of the recent news of former Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst, taking her own life, Janell invites licensed parent and family educator, Lori Wildenberg, to share her story, chronicled in her newest book, "Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation." In her very personal story, Lori invites us to "hope growth." She writes, "Hope is a weaponized bear hug--a mixture of strength and tenderness--activated following hurt. It gently whispers, "It will be ok. Your circumstances are temporary." This episode is longer than normal, unedited, and raw, but this much-needed conversation needed to happen.

Let's begin with this question: Do you feel SEEN? Seen is a powerful four-letter word meaning, "To perceive with the eyes." In this worthy conversation with Author and Therapist, Dr. Chinwe Williams, we open her new book, co-authored with Will Hutcherson, "Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection," and learn new ways of identifying "despair" in not only our own lives, but in the lives of our kids and teens. Chinwe invites us to grow in empathy in order to create deeper relational connections with others and in order to rewire our brains. Yes, "relational connection can help the brain rewire itself. It takes intentional steps in love and empathy."

Heartlifters, buckle up! Today on the show we welcome Pastor Rob Singleton and open up a tough, often stern, yet filled-with-hope, conversation about the crippling effect social media can have on our hearts, minds, and souls. In his book, "Overliked: Finding Direction, Courage, and Meaningful Relationships in a Society Crippled by Social Media," we venture into the negative effects of needing to be "liked" on social media. He writes, "A like is a public stamp of approval. A virtual representation of your worth. I like your post or your feed, I validate who you are. I see you. And, subsequently, my lack of likes can leave you feeling unseen and dismissed. You don't think so? Just recall the last time a post or picture went unnoticed on your feed." Here in the Stronger Every Day community, we commit to becoming stronger every day and in 2022, we are honing in on knowing and loving and accepting our God-breathed value, worth, and dignity. Let's LIKE who God created us to be so we can let go of an unhealthy need for "public stamps of approval."

There is no better way to start Season 8 and our new year than to have this lovely conversation with the author of "To Light Their Way," Kayla Craig. Kayla has been called a modern liturgist, an ordinary woman committed to sharing her truth, experience, and wisdom on the power of common, shared prayer. Sometimes in life, there are NO WORDS to pray. We have to borrow the sacred echoes of words penned and prayed by those who have gone before us. Their words "light our way" and give us hope and healing. Let's listen with this one question in mind: What do I believe about prayer? Breath prayer and even crafting your very own prayers helps create an unhurried you.

In "Set Free to Live Free," Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith empowers us to release the LIES we've held too close for too long into the loving, caring hands of God. As we stand at the threshold of a brand-new year, filled with possibilities, let's finish this unhurried journey by stepping into the profound freedom that awaits.