Being a caregiver for the people we love is a hard, loving and lonely place to be. So when Mary Ann shared her recent experience, via social media, about caring for her own mom, Jeanette reached out to close the gap of loneliness. They had never met or talked and yet, the connection was easy and fast.  So what's up with the power or, as some would argue, the ugly of social media and vulnerability? This podcast is about being vulnerable and sharing your struggles...not to glorify them or ourselves, but to show honestly how God is glorified in all of Jeanette Yates is a former Church Communications Director, now working as the Community Manager at Text In Church. Using her gifts of storytelling, she enjoys helping churches connect with their communities and build better relationships using technology. In her spare time, Jeanette enjoys hiking with her husband and hanging out with her two sons. She is an avid reader and podcast fanatic. Seriously, she loves podcasts! Jeanette is bold, smart, compassionate and the girlfriend we all need in our lives!

“Emotions require motion” - meaning: When we stuff or hide or ignore our feelings, aka our hurts, our grief, sorrow or anything that we believe (which is a total LIE) makes us weak, our bodies will find a way for these emotions to go somewhere. And they usually will take us places we would not choose to go.  Suzanne's willingness to be vulnerable through processing her traumatic experience surviving a direct tornado hit taught us: We are more resilient than we think we are. We need other people more than we realize. And we can find new friends in the most surprising places!  Be open to your experiences and let's hear how you are doing!

When this episode starts with the sounds of plates and clinking glasses, you know it's going to be a real talk with girlfriends. And Suzanne digs into the immediate aftermath of processing the traumatic tornado that literally crushed her house into 3 sections.  And Suzanne also talks about REM sleep and our humanity of seeing one through her recent experience.  PART 1: April 25, 2020 has new meaning for our guest today. The line in Sandra Bullock’s movie, Miss Congeniality, Miss Rhode Island answers the question: “What is your perfect date?” “April 25th. It neither too hot or too cold.” Well, that date has a completely different meaning for Suzanne. A friendship was built from the destruction of a tornado. And there is simply so much good talk we HAD to separate this talk into four parts. Because, small bites are easier and faster to digest. Especially when it about trauma, counselors, food, healing, food and all the laughter. Suzanne brings her incredible engineer, attention to detail mind that enriches us every time we are together. Every. Single. Time. Part One of Four Parts….you won’t regret this journey! In fact, we made it a party with snacks, wine and cake! So yes, you hear all that too. It's okay. This is real life girlfriends!

April 25, 2020 has new meaning for our guest today.  The line in Sandra Bullock’s movie, Miss Congeniality, Miss Rhode Island answers the question: “What is your perfect date?” “April 25th. It neither too hot or too cold.” Well, that date has a completely different meaning for Suzanne. A friendship was built from the destruction of a tornado. And there is simply so much good talk we HAD to separate this talk into four parts. Because, small bites are easier and faster to digest. Especially when it about trauma, counselors, food, healing, food and all the laughter. Suzanne brings her incredible engineer, attention to detail mind that enriches us every time we are together. Every. Single. Time. So here is Part One of Four Parts….you won’t regret this journey! In fact, we made it a party with snacks, wine and cake! So yes, you hear all that too. It's okay. This is real life girlfriends! 

Ruth Buchanan is the Director of Literary Services for faith-based coaching network Build a Better Us. An accomplished writer, she's the author of nine books, four stage plays, and countless articles and essays. As a writing coach, she’s perfectly positioned to help other writers hone their skills and level up in their careers. Ruth has a demonstrated history of working closely with writers to shape their story and craft their message into something truly unforgettable. She’s conversant in a wide variety of fields, but as someone who holds an undergraduate degree in Church Ministries and a master’s in Theological Studies, she’s especially comfortable working in areas of practical Christian theology. Ruth is an accomplished teacher and a proficient public speaker. Though usually clamped to the keyboard, Ruth is also an eager reader, an enthusiastic traveler, and the world’s most reluctant runner. Ruth is launching her latest book, Socially Awkward, Pressing Through Discomfort to Engage Tough Topics (which you can pre-order now) and it goes on sale October 8!  This is right up our alley. Moxie exists to create conversations that matter and Ruth hits them head on.  You know, all those awkward situations we find ourselves when faced with someone in a public setting. What do we say? How do we prevent putting our foot in our mouth or even backtracking gracefully?  Ruth has answers! We get a glimpse with the following topics: Grief Body Image Singleness meets Married and visa versa. Have you ever said. "How are you STILL single?" Yeah - don't do that anymore. Childlessness Bottom line, when we can lean in to really see another person not as competition or the "enemy", we can learn so much! Hearing and understanding each other's perspective is the path toward grace.  And grace opens the door for the conversations that we must be willing to have.  To see and be seen.

Hey Girlfriends!  So what's the difference between HAPPY and JOY? Especially in the context of church.  For Michele and Mary Ann, before attending church, we had this image that church people were too serious and didn't believe in fun.   And let's be honest, the past 18 months has been even more draining, more hard, more sad and more "What's so funny? Better get serious!" BUT we learned what Courtney is here to proclaim - that finding happiness is actually a holy walk toward peace, contentment and the abundant life we are suppose to be living. What we all WANT TO BE LIVING!  Right? JOIN US!!!!  And get HAPPY NOW!

Girlfriends! We snagged the remarkable Katie Allred as she shares her story that led her to where she is today. (First - ignore the technical issues - we are NOT TECHIES! So we tried to add intro music but it clearly did NOT work so it's just us and KATIE!)  She talks about what it looked like to pursue God and wait on God - ALL AT THE SAME TIME and while she was a young girl. This blows our minds because while Katie was all about God early in her life, we were all about watching American Bandstand on Saturdays and riding our bikes. In fact, we didn't even meet Jesus until well into our "advanced years." We dig into women in church leadership and how the stained glass ceiling is a real thing. But Katie is doing something about that with She Leads Church, helping, teaching and empowering women to rise above any level that God has gifted them to lead. Katie Allred is a marketer, social media strategist, and professor. She is an expert in online communities for nonprofits, churches, or businesses of all sizes. Katie believes that no matter the needs of her clients, there are always new ways to connect with their community through websites and social media. Her passion lies in helping other church leaders effectively communicate their message on the internet and she does this through ChurchCommunications.com, which offer resources such as podcasts and articles about best practices. She blogs at KatieAllred.com. JOIN US!

We just learned about LANGUISHING thanks to Jenni Catron's podcast, which we LOVE and learn from all the time.  It's that in-between space, you know, that season or time between depression and flourishing.  Many of us are in stuck in that place, us included.(Oh, and just ignore that awkward silent break...we are professional, not technical.)The challenge is, how do we get out of this middle ground? We have some ideas like, not wearing sweat pants for one day....seriously! CLUBHOUSE UPDATE: We have moved the time to 8pm EST (not 9pm because we tried it and that time was way too late for us. LOL) Mondays!!!! JOIN US

Have you ever struggles with being loved? Or how about being liked? And how are they different? Michele and Mary Ann share how these different words impact their view for themselves, one another and other women. 

Our year of struggle to find and demonstrate faithfulness leads us toward gratitude. We talk about finding ways to re-focus our minds and actions with what is just in front of us now. Baby steps are Moxie-Steps and they count!