Be Love

This week we are continuing our Love Everyone series with Dr. Kelly Flanagan, psychologist and author of the book Loveable: Embracing What is Truest About You, So You Can Embrace Life.    Dr. Flanagan is a clinical psychologist and father known to millions for the letters he writes to his children and shares on his blog. Loveable is written to the little one in each of us, who is all too ready to be reminded: you are enough, you are not alone, and you matter.   In Loveable, Dr. Flanagan reveals the core insight gleaned from his years of clinical work: you are here for a reason, yet you cannot truly awaken to it until you have first embraced your truest, worthiest self and then allowed yourself to be truly embraced by others.   We dive into why we lost our truest self, how we can get back to it, and how we can love others even when we disagree on things; because this is where we find ourselves right now.    You will walk away with hope, inspiration, and some tangible ways to start remembering you are loveable.

This week we are interviewing Kristin Andrus. She is a mother of 6 and a social media presence who helps families serve and love others. She talks to us about how to be a family whose DNA it is to serve the community. She gives us very practical ways to serve in this season. We talk about why parents are so important to foster loving and serving others in their children at a young age.    You are going to love her spunky attitude, her beautiful heart and get some great ideas of how we can help our kids love others well.    Check out Kristin’s Instagram for awesome parenting ideas: Instagram: kristinandrus   Our Sponsor Hi-light this month is an incredible company that is helping us make the holidays memorable for our kids.    Check out www.adventprepclub.com Advent Prep Club is your personalized online planning tool to guide you through the preparation and execution of an Advent activity calendar. Designed for families with toddlers to high schoolers, you’ll get full access to 150+ creative activity ideas, cu

Today we are kicking off our series Love Everyone. We all say we want to love everyone, but do we actually do it. Today’s guest Adam Weber inspires us every day to ask how we can go out of our way to just love one person today. It’s that simple intention that has changed his life.    Through a deep time of pain, when he didn’t want to love again, he started to think of people who loved him when he was unlovable. This simple habit helped him remember why it was so important to love others because it changed his life. He even wrote a book about it called Love Has a Name: Loving the Different, Difficult, and Everyone Else.    Adam teaches us to look at life differently. He helps us understand that loving others should be the most important thing to do, even if it feels like an interruption in our very busy schedule. It should be the schedule.    Adam is genuine, shares his own struggles with loving others, and helps us find the courage to love those different than us, and the strength to love those who may be di

Today I have the privilege of interviewing Rondell Trevino, founder of The Immigration Coalition. Their organization is providing clean drinking water to Immigrant and migrant families in Matamoros, Mexico along the Southern Border, and biblically balanced resources on immigration that show compassion to immigrants and respect for the rule of law.   The reason I have Rondell on today is two fold.  He is closing out our PROTECT THE WEAK series and telling us how we can show compassion to the immigrant. He gives us an inside look into the lives of migrants, immigrants, refugees. Rondell’s wife is an immigrant from Guatemala and her story inspired him to help care for those just like her.    I also have him on to talk about the upcoming election. Rondell personally is a Christian and he has been very thoughtful in his recent social media responses to this upcoming election in what we who identify as Christians can be sure of no matter what happens in this election. This is not a political podcast, but one tha

Today I am interviewing my new friend Emily Mills Co-founder of Jesus Said Love, a non-profit that helps to awaken hope and empower change in the lives of those impacted by the commercial sex industry—including human trafficking. They do this through outreach, job training and work therapy, social enterprise, and education and prevention.    Emily and I talk about what it looks like to protect the woman in need, the woman who may be so similar to us, but has been dealt a different hand in life. We have more things in common than divide us.    She gives us a different perspective of what a woman looks like who has been trafficked. She gives us a different inside look of a woman who may feel like this is the only path of survival. Emily and her husband Brett spend their life engaging, empowering and providing a safe place for women to come and feel worthy.    Emily and Brett started as worship leaders but their heart broke wide open after hearing about the sex trafficking industry. They started to hang out with

**WARNING SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER DISCUSSED** Today I am interviewing Joe Smarro who helped lead the San Antonio Police Department’s mental health unit and crisis intervention training. Because of this team more than 100,000 people have been diverted away from jail or emergency rooms. Thanks to the work of the San Antonio Police Department’s mental health detail and its Crisis Intervention Training program the need to use force has been reduced  and instead has helped to connect people with the mental health services they need.   He and his partner Ernie were featured in a HBO documentary called: Crisis Cops which “is an intimate portrait of two Texas police officers who are helping change the way police respond to mental health calls. The film takes audiences on a personal journey, weaving together their experiences during their daily encounters with people in crisis. These two officers are not your everyday cops.”   We talk about our current police culture, how it can be improved, and why he is so passiona

Today we are kicking off our PROTECT THE WEAK series with an organization who knows a thing or two about protecting others. International Justice Mission is a organization that was created to END modern day slavery. Their proven solution consists of rescuing and restoring victims, bringing criminals to justice, and strengthening justice systems.    Today’s guest is Philip Langford the President of International Justice Mission (IJM). Philip has spent his life rescuing, restoring, and educating the world on modern day slavery. Since joining IJM in 2006, Philip has led IJM field programs in Southeast Asia, Africa and South Asia to strengthen justice systems to protect the poor from slavery and human trafficking, gender-based violence and police abuse of power. During his time as Vice President of Regional Operations for Southeast Asia, Philip led IJM’s programs in the region to combat cross-border labor trafficking in domestic and multi-national supply chains and the global proliferation of online sexual exploi

The Be Strong Series was a rich and amazing group of people who shared their struggles and hardships in hopes to inspire us to muster up our own dose of strength in hard times. ⁠ ⁠ I learned so much from this month’s episodes, so I am giving you some of my favorite take-aways from this series. I am going back through each episode and pulling out some of the special things that I learned.    One common theme I learned through all of these podcasts, is the power of accepting our story and all that comes with them, they have the power to heal us and others. Some of our guests shared some really hard things on our podcast, but they all agree that when we share our stories it frees us and frees others.  Be Strong Series Guests:  #75 Sam Collier Episode: Author, Podcast Host, Book: A Greater Story #75  #76 Magdalena Newman: The Real Life Wonder Family, Memoir: Normal: A Mother and her Beautiful Son  #77 Tyler Labine: Actor on NBC New Amsterdam #77 #78 Ashley Abercrombie: Author: Rise of The Truth Teller # 78

We are in the 4th week of our BE STRONG SERIES, where we are sharing stories of those who have been strong through unimaginable difficulties.  Ashley Abercrombie, author of, Rise of the Truth Teller, is sharing her  powerful story with us today. Ashley reminds us that it is ok to tell the truth about ourselves and our past.    She shares with us about her own struggles to overcome rape, addiction, abortion, perfectionism, and hiding under a fake mask for years.  We talk about how to step out of our pain and shame and find healing, acceptance, and truth in our own stories.     Listen in to learn how to get over the fear of hiding, and pretending everything is fine, to share our truth and accept our past.    Get her book here: Rise of the Truth Teller   Our podcast today is sponsored by Southern poms.  These are my signature earrings and bracelets. Most every picture you see me in I will have these pom pom earrings on! They are a woman owned company that provides handmade pom pom earrings, tassel earrings, &a

Today we have the privilege of interviewing Tyler Labine for the third episode of our Be Strong Series. Tyler plays Dr. Iggy Frome, head of psychiatry, in the NBC medical drama New Amsterdam. Yes, New Amsterdam is one of our favorite shows on TV so I couldn’t wait to talk to Tyler about his own story of strength.  He gives us a look into his real life and his struggles with eating disorders and addiction. His journey with embracing all the good and all the bad in his life is the true definition of strength. This interview is so tender and raw and I am so grateful for Tyler’s vulnerability and his pursuit of authenticity to share his story and struggles in hopes to give freedom to others.    You will be on the edge of your seat this entire interview as he inspires us to continue our own journey of accepting ourselves just as we are.    Watch NBC New Amsterdam   Check out our new Children’s book: The Lunchbox Note: a story of loving others   Check out our show notes for more information.

Remember the book Wonder by RJ Palacio? The book is about the little boy Auggie who had Treacher Collins syndrome, a crania-facial disorder in which some bones and tissues in the face aren’t developed. This book helped change the world of my guest Magda Newman.  Magda Newman’s family is called the “real life Wonder” family. 20/20 did a special on Magda’s family and her family's journey with Treacher Collins syndrome.  Magda and her son Nathaniel have written a beautiful memoir called Normal: A Mother and her Beautiful Son. We talk through her journey of strength as Magda and her husband Russell were completely in shock when Nathaniel was born. They had no idea how their life would be turned upside down with 70+ surgeries, multiple life threatening situations with Nathaniel and the stress that would affect their own health as they cared for their son  24-7; constantly monitoring in the first months and years of his life, things that most parents of newborns never have to face. Things like  making sure he  woul

This week we are starting our NEW SEASON and NEW SERIES called Be Strong.  We are bringing you all new guests, all new interviews, and each month we will be diving into a new topic this fall.    This month we are focusing on the first phrase of our lunchbox note, which says, “BE STRONG.” We will be interviewing those who have been through hard circumstances and they will teach us their definition of what it means to be strong.    Today we are interviewing Sam Collier, sought after speaker, pastor, author, podcaster, who shares his story of how he was abandoned as a baby and later meets his birth mother on the Steve Harvey show of all places. We talk about disappointment, what happens when things don’t work out the way we think they should, how to surrender, and what it means to accept our past, present, and future, no matter the trials we have been through.    In Sam’s new book: A Greater Story, all of us are given permission to embrace our stories, and know that just because they may start out hard, it doesn

We are ending this summer with some things we have learned this past season, and a little back to school special.   We know things look way different than any other school year we have had and we wanted to talk about some of the things we could do as parents to help us get through this year.    I polled a variety of our community and everyone is on high alert when it comes to stress right now, me included.    So today as we finish up summer and head into a new season I wanted to give some things we have learned this past year, and also how we are trying to go into this school year with a positive attitude.    Listen in to this short podcast as we talk about 2 ideas that might change our minds about this year.    Also make sure you tune in next week as we start our next season and our very first series called BE STRONG. This series will be focusing on those who have been through hard circumstances and teach us their definition of what it means to be strong. First up is Sam Collier, who shares his story of how

When we say love everyone, don’t we want to preface  it with….everyone but…..or I can love almost everyone but….that big but gives us some trouble. So in this day and age, when Covid-19, and the upcoming election, and racial tensions have seemed to have us doing the opposite of love, how do we ACTUALLY live out this statement?   This week we are talking about our last phrase of our lunchbox note, Love Everyone,  which will also be a series on our podcast this fall. You can go to our website www.bestronstory.com or check out episode 25 to see how a lunchbox note inspired our family, our company, our podcast and our new children’s book. Each month this fall we will be diving into each phrase, series style.    Each week in August I have talked about what each phrase has meant to us.    This week I will be going talking about what  loving everyone can mean. I talk about how hard it is to hate someone close up, and if we really actually believe we are to love our neighbor, how do we do that if we don’t know them

On today’s episode we are exploring the second line of our “lunchbox note” phrase, PROTECT THE WEAK.    Head back to episode 25 if you don’t know about the lunchbox note that inspired our company, podcast, and new children’s book.    This fall we will be interviewing different guests who live out this PROTECT THE WEAK phrase on a regular basis. From rescuing those from being trafficked to being a safe place for those on the streets. Each week they will give us tangible ways for us to do the same in our own environment.    Listen in this week, as I explain this phrase and what it has meant to our family.  Did you know we have a new children’s book? Get The Lunchbox Note: a story of loving others here. The perfect message for back to school.

This month we are outlining our series that we will start this fall.  Same Podcast, new content! We have never done a series before so I am super excited about it.  As most of you know we started our podcast because our community asked us to share stories of those we were meeting that were loving others well. For the past year and a half we have been sharing stories of those who are loving in creative ways in hopes of inspiring the listener to love others in their own way. Because we believe love shows up in different ways, big and small; and all ways make a difference.    But these next few months we are going to do our first series where each podcast is based on a certain topic. What we are doing is taking the phrase that has inspired us the most, you know the one that was written on the lunchbox note that said BE STRONG, PROTECT THE WEAK, LOVE EVERYONE. The one that inspired our company, family coaching, podcast and new children’s book that was just sold out in Target what??   This phrase was written to ou

Michelle McKinney is our guest today and she brings the FIRE and inspiration to know what our purpose is and live in it. She helps women design, define and bring their God-given dreams to life. She believes that every woman can fulfill her God-given purpose, and she is on a mission to help them get there. That’s why she started her company,  Dreams Unleashed, to help others pursue their dreams. My favorite piece of advice is when she says, “Our dreams are never about ME, they’re always about others”. When we live into our gifts and purpose we are making others better and serving others. She talks about advocating for ourselves which in turn helps us advocate for others. If you are squelched in your dreams or don’t know what your purpose is, this is the podcast for you. And if you know your purpose this podcast will inspire you to stick with it. Michelle gives us some tangible ways to know our gifts and steps to live into them. She is literally coaching us through this podcast and you can use many of the tips

Today we are talking about one of the best, when it comes to caring for those in the margins. She defines the marginalized as those who are not in the main narrative. Some people can be obvious and some not as much. Danielle talks about no matter where we live or what we do it is our responsibility to find and learn from those who have been pushed out of the main story. This has to be one of the most important interviews I have ever done. She gives us practical ways to listen and learn from those we may have never known. Whether it be refugee, homeless, those in foster care, etc... Danielle’s goal is to live a life of love and she gives us very practical ways in how to take the first steps in becoming love in our communities. As a 20 year veteran of the Salvation Army, Danielle has fought for those who are marginalized or have felt less than. Danielle Strickland is currently based in Toronto, Canada. Her aggressive compassion has served people firsthand in countries all over the world. From establishing Justi

Today’s guest is a kindred heart. He loves those that many people see as invisible. He spends a lot of time with the homeless and gives us tips to keep our eyes open to others who many just disregard. We talk about the years when someone gave him a chance when he was a young boy and in poverty himself. We talked about when he lived on the streets so he could truly understand those he was going to serve. Get ready for your hearts to be open.  Terence believes EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE SEEN. Terence Lester is  an author, non-profit leader, activist, and founder of LOVE BEYOND WALLS and THE DIGNITY MUSEUM, and just released his latest book, I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People.  His awareness campaigns have been featured on MLK50, USA Today, NBC, and so many others. They have been viewed by millions of people worldwide. In 2018, Terence led the March Against Poverty as he walked from Atlanta to Memphis (386 miles). He finished the march and spoke at the historic Lorraine Motel for the 50th Annivers

This week we have the hilarious Melissa Radke (comedian, author, viral video sensation, and star of the show Radkes on USA Network.  I am so excited to share this interview. She is not only everyone’s immediate best friend because of her realness, but she teaches us about persevering when others have torn you down. Melissa grew up as a talented singer, but after multiple producers turned her down and told her awful things about her appearence, she fell into a depression. And then when she turned 40 she had a change of heart. She was making a commitment to live ONE WHOLE YEAR of BRAVE, no matter what, she wrote the  best selling book EAT CAKE, BE BRAVE out of her experience.  Her hilarious videos have been viewed more than 40 million times worldwide and her family just finished with the first season of The Radkes on USA network.  She inspires us to be unapologetically ourselves. She teaches us to be brave even when others try to keep us small. I promise you will laugh out loud after listening, but also be enco