The GoodHard Story Podcast

My friend Kim is a writer, speaker, and podcaster who has the gift of finding the arc of a story, even in the messiest moments. Lately she’s been searching for the storyline of grace throughout her life and what she found has changed everything.Kim is witty, winsome, and oh-so-wise. In our hour together, she was as generous with her tears as she was with her laughter as we discussed the places where God’s grace meets our grief. Show NotesWhat we mentioned:Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections on Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting - https://a.co/d/0bTx1bcWStar for Jesus (And Other Jobs I Quit): Rediscovering the Grace that Sets Us Free by Kimberly Stewart - https://a.co/d/0eW6qxG4The GoodHard Story Podcast Ep. 114 with Adam Young - https://pod.link/1496882479/episode/ZWZlMTg1NjUtNzhkZC00Mjg3LTg5YmEtZDRhMDQxMTQxYzA4Scriptures we referenced:Ecclesiastes 7:2Psalm 4:1Where to find Kim:Website: https://www.kimberlystuart.com/Instagram: @kimberly.stuart.writesFor more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me: https://hopeheals.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, a monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content: http://eepurl.com/gGUnlfGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/spaces⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Today I’m introducing you to a friend who has decided to make his life into a “joy lab.” His circumstances are anything but easy - tune in to see why - but he’s learned how to thrive within them.Will Acuff is a disability dad, husband, author, and founder of a non-profit that helps underestimated entrepreneurs launch their own businesses. He has become an expert at building a life that can handle the hard stuff and today he’s sharing his hard-won method with us. It starts with self-awareness and it ends with joy.What we mentioned:Corner to Corner - https://cornertocorner.org/No Elevator to Everest: Shift from Survive to Thrive through Spirit-Led Self-Awareness - https://a.co/d/04Tq0wFFHenry Nouwen - author and theologian“You’ve never met a mere mortal.” - C.S. LewisAmy Julia Becker’s Take the Next Step Podcast - https://amyjuliabecker.com/take-the-next-step-podcast/Praxis - https://www.praxis.co/Goldman Sachs (female business training program) Scriptures we referenced:John 14Ephesians 3:20John 10:10Luke 15For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me: https://hopeheals.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, a monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content: http://eepurl.com/gGUnlfGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/spaces⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

I stumbled into a place of leadership, almost by accident, after surviving an out-of-the-blue stroke and becoming a beacon of hope for a lot of people. I wanted to rise to the occasion of encouraging those people and pointing them to Jesus, but I quickly learned that leadership isn’t automatic. It’s a skill to develop. I wish I’d had a guide like Jo Saxton…which is exactly why I’m sharing her genius with you!Jo is a speaker, author, podcast, and leadership coach who has given her life to helping women find their God-given places of leadership so they can thrive in their families, communities, and workplaces. Whether you’re a woman or not…whether you see yourself as a leader or not…this conversation has something for you. What we mentioned:Ezer Collective The Dream of You: Let Go of Broken Identities and Live the Life You Were Made For by Jo SaxtonScriptures we referenced:Genesis 1:27Genesis 2:18Psalm 121:1–2Psalm 46:1Judges 4–52 Kings 22:14–201 Chronicles 4:9–10Acts 16:14–15Romans 16Psalm 139:1–6, 13–14Joel 2:25Matthew 5:13–16 Jeremiah 29:7Where to find more on Jo Saxton:www.josaxton.comInstagram: @josaxtonFor more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me: https://hopeheals.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, a monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content: http://eepurl.com/gGUnlfGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/spaces⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Benjamin Wills is a man who has given every part of his life to the good/hard work of seeing people and communities restored to their God-given fullness. He’s worked and lived in marginalized communities, welcomed children into his family through adoption, shepherded a congregation in the Anglican church, and pastored my own Hope Heals Camp community for over five years! Benjamin is gentle and humble of heart, while being an absolute force for God’s goodness in the city of Atlanta. I cannot wait for you to get to know this one-of-a-kind friend and soak up his wisdom on raising kids who know they’re beloved by God, the gift of spiritual direction, and the unexpected spiritual rhythms that have formed his soul most deeply.Show NotesWhat we mentioned:Adam Young - https://adamyoungcounseling.com/Curt Thompson - https://curtthompsonmd.com/Hope Heals Camp - https://hopeheals.com/campThe Daily Examen - https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/Scriptures we referenced:Romans 12:2John 6:68Where to find more from Benjamin Wills: www.sozojustice.com Sozo Instagram: @sozojusticecollectivePersonal Instagram: @mrwills23For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me: https://hopeheals.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, a monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content: http://eepurl.com/gGUnlfGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/spaces⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Parenting dynamics are complicated, to say the very least. Every mother and father will leave wounds on their children, no matter how carefully (or carelessly) they parent. Today I’m sitting down with Melanie Shankle, who was generous enough to share about the wounds left by her mother as well as the healing she’s found in raising a daughter of her own. Through her bestselling books and hilarious podcast, Melanie has shared her life with us for nearly two decades—from the frivolous and fun stuff to the hard and the heavy stuff. Her most recent book, Here Be Dragons, was one of the best books I’ve read in the last year. In true Melanie fashion, this conversation about aging well, relating to young adult kids, and breaking generational cycles is as heavy as it is light. I think you’ll enjoy every minute.Show Notes:What we mentioned:Here Be Dragons: Treading the Deep Waters of Motherhood, Mean Girls, and Generational Trauma by Melanie Shankle - https://a.co/d/0giagu3Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn by Melanie Shankle - https://a.co/d/0TMFnLlSongs for the Anxious Heart - https://open.spotify.com/album/6mA22vsD5MvgUPCEPKgjBg?si=vHtRb743RuGHJQKLvAkK0w Scriptures we referenced:James 1:4Isaiah 61:32 Corinthians 1:4Where to find Melanie Shankle:The Big Boo Cast - https://pod.link/262921699@melanieshankle on InstagramAbout Hope Heals:For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me: https://hopeheals.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, a monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content: http://eepurl.com/gGUnlfGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/spaces⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

In this enlightening conversation, trauma therapist Adam Young shares insights from his expertise in story work and healing. He discusses how small moments in childhood shape our emotional responses and the best outcome of trauma—heart enlargement, which fosters greater capacity for connection. Adam explores the core traits of those who heal instead of becoming bitter, emphasizes the importance of candid dialogue with God, and gives advice on authentic emotional prayer. The discussion is rich with hope and practical wisdom for overcoming life's challenges.

Episode 113: Rich Villodas on Finding the Spacious LifeNeed a bit of soul rest today? I’m offering you an hour that feels both like a deep breath AND a challenge to live differently. Rich Villodas is one of the few people who can pull off this refreshing combination, and we are blessed to have him on The GoodHard Story Podcast this week. He’s been a source of inspiration and encouragement to me for many years now. In a world full of loud voices competing for the spotlight, Rich has remained a gentle, steady, and humble conduit of Jesus’ wisdom and grace.During our conversation, Rich shared some vitally important “how to’s” with me: how to examine your interior life, how to take your love for God out of its tidy compartment, how to be formed by Christ rather than your idea of Christ, and how to teach our kids to navigate complexity.Show NotesWhat we mentioned:The Narrow Path: How the Subversive Way of Jesus Satisfies Our Souls by Rich Villodas - https://a.co/d/dqVs2JWEpisode 85: My New Way of Understanding Beauty with Brook Hensley - https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/episode-85-my-new-way-of-understanding-beauty-with/id1496882479?i=1000689600342&l=en-GBThe Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus by Rich Villodas - https://a.co/d/84WTasBScriptures we referenced:The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5 - 72 Corinthians 12:9Galatians 4:19 Romans 8:29Where to find Rich Villodas:@richvillodas on X@richvillodas on Instagramhttps://www.richvillodas.com/About Hope Heals:For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me: https://hopeheals.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, a monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content: http://eepurl.com/gGUnlfGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/spaces⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

My guest today is unlike anyone else I know. Andy Crouch is a genius writer, thinker, and speaker whose career has spanned from Harvard to Christianity Today to Praxis. Andy is inviting Christians to be creative, generative culture makers, and his words have deeply shaped my worldview and faith journey.You might want to be prepared to take notes during our conversation today, because Andy Crouch speaks more wisdom per minute than just about anyone else I know. He shared so many nuggets with me, including how he’s rejected a shallow-souled life, the surprisingly simple spiritual practice that starts his day, and the important distinction between charmed and blessed.Show NotesWhat we mentioned:The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World by Andy Crouch - https://a.co/d/g6hq8l8Praxis - https://www.praxis.co/A Redemptive Thesis for Valuing Disability - http://hopeheals.com/thesisWhere to find Andy Crouch: https://andy-crouch.com/For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me: https://hopeheals.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, a monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content: http://eepurl.com/gGUnlfGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/spaces⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

Following God does not always mean understanding God.  In fact, following God can lead us away from comfort, conformity, and communities we once loved. Few people are living that story more authentically than my guest Nancy French. She is a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter who has a dramatic story of her very own. Nancy has been abused and alienated by the people she trusted most, yet she’s continued to show up to her life and to the good/hard work God has for her.I adore this woman and the way she’s navigating the complex landscape of her life. In our conversation, she was so generous to share how she’s reconciling loving God more than ever even when the church confuses her, how she’s pursuing unity with people who see the world differently, and how she’s raising resilient kids. You do not want to miss this hour with my new friend Nancy French.Show NotesMake a donation to Hope Heals at hopeheals.com/support.What we mentioned:Ghosted: An American Story by Nancy French - https://a.co/d/cRyFY5bAll My Knotted Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore - https://a.co/d/5ignBRQWhere the Light Fell: A Memoir by Philip Yancey - https://a.co/d/7iX4U2eThe Holy Post Podcast - https://pod.link/591157388Good Faith Podcast - https://pod.link/1594454747Beth Moore on The GoodHard Story Podcast - https://pod.link/1496882479/episode/NDdjMDEzNWEtMDU1NS00YWVkLWEwZDgtNGNlNWM4MzQxYWQzWhere to find Nancy:Website: nancyfrench.comTwitter / X: @nancyafrenchScriptures we referenced:James 1:4Ecclesiastes 7:2For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me: https://hopeheals.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, a monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content: http://eepurl.com/gGUnlfGet to know us:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/spaces⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

I deeply believe that good therapy has been the ultimate enhancement to my faith journey. It’s helped me replace false narratives with the truest story of who God is, what he’s done for me, and how much he loves me. And if you’ve listened to my podcast for any amount of time, you know I love interviewing a therapist…maybe it’s my way of getting a free session, ha!Today we have the privilege of hearing from Monica DiCristina, a counselor, speaker, and writer who struggled for years with her mental health before finding healing through therapy. I left our rich conversation with an understanding of why naming my pain is the first step toward healing, getting comfortable with other people’s pain, and tools for coping with moments of anxiety.Show NotesMake a donation to Hope Heals at hopeheals.com/support.What we mentioned:Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist’s Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are from What Hurts by Monica DiCristina - https://a.co/d/enk65rtAdam Young on The GoodHard Story Podcast - https://pod.link/1496882479/episode/NWE5Yzg2YzAtNjE4Yy00M2M1LThkMDYtZTk2YTVhNWQ0MWVjThe Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff Jonathan Haidt - https://a.co/d/6y9n8GJWhere to Find Monica:Website: https://monicadicristina.comInstagram: @monicadicristinaStill Becoming PodcastGet More from Katherine:For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me: https://hopeheals.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/⁠Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, a monthly digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content: http://eepurl.com/gGUnlfGet to know Hope Heals:⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/spaces⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.com/Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/