Grit 'n' Grace: Good Girls Breaking Bad Rules

In our driven, multi-tasking culture it's so, so hard to rest. But what if rest is the key? What if rest, not work, is just what you've been looking for to find your way back to your truest, God-created self? It's not just possible to bring God great glory in rest, it's actually a requirement. Amy and Cheri process their struggles with rest and share what they're learning through a few simple practices. Rest just might be what we reforming perfectionists and people-pleasers need most!

It's easy to get lost. Not the kind of lost that you can fix with a GPS, but the kind of lost when you don't quite remember who you are anymore. Michele DeRusha, author of True You, helps us to find our way back to the person God created us to be. Pushing back the false facade of busyness and achievement, we can find wholeness and healing. This touching interview is fuel for the real you who's waiting for you to find your way back!

In a hilariously pathetic conversation, Amy and Cheri chronicle their objections, obstacles, and abject failures with rest. Thankfully, in a turn of the tide, they also give some powerful but simple solutions to their rest issues. If you want to laugh at two women with struggles instead of crying over your own, you'll want to tune in. Misery loves company after all!

How many times recently have you awakened in the morning with the thought, "I'm still so tired"? Dr. Saundra Dalton, author of Sacred Rest, says that many of us have made chronic rest deficit our norm. The good news is that in this interview, she offers solutions beyond the quick fixes that have left us disappointed. Tune in for a truly transforming conversation that will help you to create deeply restorative rest.

It often seems safer and less painful to hide our hurts. Could there possibly be an advantage to revealing them? Cheri and Amy talk through painful times that were actually improved by bringing the hard things into the light. Grounded in the truth that the Lord is close to the broken-hearted, they unpack the gifts of transparency and authenticity that far surpass the "safety" of keeping hurts hidden.

On a day that should have been one of the happiest of her life, Melinda Means, author of Invisible Wounds, experienced a terrible longterm setback. In this interview, she shares what she hid for years, revealing the hope-filled lessons she learned along the way. If you suffer from chronic physical, spiritual or emotional pain, this episode will leave you with encouragement and tools for a better future.

Following the Holy Spirit can be intimidating. Questions arise like, "What if He asks me to give up control?" or "What if He takes me someplace I don't want to go?" Cheri and Amy have grappled with the same questions. They're learning to surrender to the Holy Spirit, though, because they're starting the see the unexpected joy of seeing Him as a present from God. This episode is filled with their real-life stories of learning to receive, unwrap and enjoy the Holy Spirit as a gift!

Some of us get squirmy when the subject of the Holy Spirit comes up. We're not too sure what to do with this sometimes-controversial person of the Trinity, but Suzie Eller, author of the Spirit-Led Heart leads us to engage with Him. In this conversation, Suzie unpacks the roles and impact of the Holy Spirit and tells us why relationship with Him is transformational in your everyday life. You can be empowered by the Holy Spirit; it's a promise!

It's such a human habit to keep on doing what you've always done, hoping for different results. (It's also been informally dubbed the definition of insanity...) In this episode, Amy and Cheri process what they learned while following through on their intentional pre-decisions to do things differently — during the holidays and during their spontaneous January sabbatical. The good news is that we aren't trapped in our ruts; we have an open invitation from Jesus to follow Him from our old into His new!

The New Year is full of possibilities ... and uncertainties. Join Amy and Cheri for a frank discussion of where we look for validation when we're feeling insecure and the difference it makes when Jesus fills our empty places. They also share their words for 2019, along with an announcement about how they're already living those words out.

While the holidays give us a chance to reconnect with family and friends, they can also be a time when old sore spots get re-bruised. Amy 'n' Cheri tackle the timely topic of forgiving holiday hurts. Oh, the freedom we receive when we embrace—and extend—God's grace!

Amy and Cheri talk candidly about how to recognize when we might be the ones driving others crazy and discuss practical ways to recalibrate on the fly. Amy shares an all-new attitude she's practicing this year ... plus some exciting news. Here's to a joy-full Christmas!

Even as we sing about "heavenly peace," we recovering people-pleasers, perfectionists — and those of us who are Highly Sensitive People — can struggle not to over-react to circumstances we can't control. (You knew "The C Word" had to make an appearance!) Amy and Cheri discuss practical ways to avoid "Contact Crazy" at Christmas and unpack the "HSP Pivot" Cheri's been practicing. Even when external circumstances are less-than-ideal, internal peace isn't just possible—it's a promise ... a gift God offers each one of us.

With so many expectations swirling around us during the holidays, even the most reformed perfectionist can revert back to old ways. In this candid convo, Amy 'n' Cheri contrast their "ideal" holiday selves with their "real" holiday selves and discuss what hinders us from being our most authentic selves at Christmastime. They also share and reflect upon two scriptures that will help you stay secure in your identity in Christ, all the way into the New Year ... and beyond!

If you've ever promised yourself, "This year, I'm going to focus on the reason for the season!" only find yourself in full-blown perfectionism come December 25th, this episode is for you. Amy and Cheri share why and how they've handed over too much authority during the holidays. Plus, they discuss a Biblical litmus test for discerning the difference between healthy accommodation and unhealthy people-pleasing — this time of year, and all year long.

Jesus is our "Prince of Peace" — so why do we place so many expectations on ourselves this time of year? Amy 'n' Cheri discuss times they've had to scale back on their usual holiday decorations and celebrations, and how to keep accidental "Christmas creep" from taking over our lives. Be sure to listen for the one word Amy is eliminating from her vocabulary ... plus the new theory she's testing! And rest in the assurance that Jesus replaces all our try-hard efforts with the peace of knowing Him.

The holidays pose a real challenge for reforming perfectionists and people-pleasers, and those of us who are Highly Sensitive People! In this episode, Amy and Cheri discuss how to know when you've done "enough" ... and what's really of greatest importance (hint: it has nothing to do with Pinterest!)

Most perfectionists and people-pleasers try to avoid failure at any cost. But as Amy and Cheri have learned, sometimes what initially appears to be a failure turns out to be the seed for a bountiful crop of unexpected blessings from God.

Do you know your personal brand? Do you communicate it everywhere you go? Personal brand is a powerful idea that can change our work like and our personal life for the better. Amy 'n' Cheri discuss the development of their own personal brand and give you tips for finding your own. You'll also hear why it may be more important to hone your strengths than to focus on your weaknesses. Sounds like freedom, right? Listen for your own strengths in the list Cheri and Amy give. (And make sure to tune in to find out Cheri's signature color that's become part of her personal brand. Do you think you know it?)

Over half of churched women work outside their homes, but many say they feel that this part of their lives is ignored in the faith realm. With sixty-five years of combined corporate experience, Paula Brown Stafford and Lisa Grimes, co-authors of Remember Who You Are, share hard-earned wisdom about work and family that's steeped in their strong faith. In this episode, Paula and Lisa give lessons of grit with rich measures of grace to their sisters in the working world.