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.
We all want to create a life that counts, but that seems so complicated. So hard. So very uncomfortable. Amy 'n' Cheri discuss the lessons they learned from their conversation with Susy Flory, author of So Long Status Quo, and they identify some simple steps that we can take to move out of our comfort zones into a more impactful life. (And listen in to find out the surprising activity that Amy calls "her jam.")
For decades, Susy Flory, author of So Long Status Quo, has written the inspiring stories of others. But she has something that she wants everyone to know... YOUR story can make a difference! By sharing simple steps toward a bigger story and how to find the courage to share it, Susy sets us in motion to change our world like many of the women she has studied for her books.
Do you spend all year eagerly awaiting "the most wonderful time of the year"? Or do you get too wrapped up in holiday stress to enjoy the reason for the season? In this mini-sode, Amy 'n' Cheri tackle the topic of the holidays and what we can do NOW to enjoy more peace, joy, and love THEN.
What do you do when your "amazing" has fallen and can't get up? In this crazy-busy, demanding world, a girl needs to know how to refill when she's running on empty.
Amy 'n' Cheri discuss some practical steps to turn to the Source when your own spring of positivity has run dry.
Are you amazed by the sparkle of others while you feel dull, flat and well... far less than amazing? Stacey Thacker, author of Fresh Out of Amazing, unpacks five routes to the same dead end of exhaustion and frustration, and then she leads us out of that dead-end by helping us focus on our source of amazing, God Himself. This episode will pick up the girl who thought she was down for the count!
We all want to be known as women who can be counted on, but there are some hidden traps involved. Over-helping. Savior complexes.Personal exhaustion. How can we become reliable friends, co-worker, wives and neighbors without slipping on the downsides?
In this episode, Cheri and Amy candidly share failures and successes lived on their way to growth. Tune in for one tip that's a game-changer!
Wonderful women who love deeply often also struggle with control. (Cheri and Amy might be in this club!) Let's just admit it. It's easy to think that we're "helping God" when we're really controlling our people and our circumstances.In this transforming interview, Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of It's All Under Control, gently leads we who default to control toward redirecting our gifts until we shine!
In this busy world, can we maintain both relationships and hustle? We can if it's holy hustle. Holla! Cheri and Amy process their conversation with Crystal Stine, author of Holy Hustle, and share the lessons they've learned over the years about when to say yes and how to say no. This episode is essential if you're feeling a little hassled but trying to keep your sanity!
Paid jobs. Volunteer jobs. Serving and helping. How do we do it all, love what we're doing AND keep our sanity? Crystal Stine, author of Holy Hustle, shares the secrets of working with our whole hearts while preserving a whole life. Listen in today while Crystal helps us with work, rest, comparison and connection!
"Is it Perfectionism ... or is it focus?"
In this bonus episode, Amy and Cheri dissect the difference between the all-or-nothing thinking of Perfectionism and the intense focus some projects require. They share tips for recognizing when the "just chip away at it 15 minutes a day until it's done" approach will NOT work and for setting yourself up for success when it's time to put on blinders and focus.
Then, Tonya Kubo — facilitator of both the Grit 'n' Grace Girls Facebook Group and the Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group — and Cheri discuss the upcoming online book club for You Don't Have to Try So Hard, co-authored by Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory. Join us for 6 weeks of banishing the "P-bullies" of Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, Performanicsm, and Procrastination from our heads, our hearts, and and our homes — together!
We're not made for the exhaustion of try-harder living. Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory, co-authors of You Don't Have to Try So Hard, share how to overcome the four "P Bullies"--perfectionism, people pleasing, performancism, procrastination. If you need insight on how to overcome these and strength to rest from them, listen in to this episode!
How do we get beyond our fear of dealing with the sticky topic of race to help create positive change? Cheri and Amy process their big take-aways from the interviews with Lucrecia Berry and share the steps they're committing to take. If you want to be part of a movement toward a more unified world, listen in and take action steps to build a more compassionate community.
Cheri and Amy couldn't fit all the questions they had to ask Lucrecia Berry, author of What Lies Between Us, into one episode. In this follow-up, Lucrecia shares practical advice for how to handle conversations about race when you just don't know what to say. It's possible to create safe places to build unity, and Lucrecia Berry gives us the tools!
Bringing change into the charged issues of race in America is an area in which many of us feel unsure. Lucretia Berry, the fierce-hearted author of What Lies Between Us, shares how to build our vocabulary and muscles for having difficult but transforming conversations about race. In this riveting episode, Lucretia shares her personal journey of discussions in her family and equips us for these conversations in our own lives. This is for every person who has watched the problems of race on the news and thought, I wish I knew what to do to help.
Fear can wash over us suddenly and then wash us away. Away from peace. Away from our purpose. Away from relationships with the people we love. Cheri and Amy discuss practical ways to deal with fear so that we stayed anchored to God in the storms of worry. (You don't want to miss hearing how Cheri called her own intervention!)