Quiet is something difficult to find in our modern world. We are bombarded with crowded schedules, constant availability through screens and information overload. The noise can be deafening. We think “quiet” is a luxury we can’t afford and yet it’s necessary for our souls to thrive. Sarah Clarkson delves into the transformative power of quiet. Drawing inspiration from her own journey and her latest book, Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention, Sarah reflects on the profound connection between stillness, healing, and spiritual renewal. She explores why quiet is vital for both the body and soul and how embracing small, quiet moments can lead to a more peaceful life. She also shares practical ways to find and embrace moments of quiet in daily life. Sarah Clarkson is an author and blogger who writes regularly about literature, faith and beauty. She studied theology at Oxford and is the author and co-author of six books, including This Beautiful Truth. She has an active following on Instagram where she hosts regular live read-alouds from the poems, novels, or essays that bring her courage. She can often be found with a good cup of tea and a book in hand in her old English vicarage home in Oxford, where she lives with her Anglican vicar husband, Thomas, and their 4 children. www.sarahclarkson.com Instagram @SarahWanders

Do you ever feel overwhelmed, stressed or down? Do you wish you could go through this crazy life with some more calm? Life is always going to happen, but our mindset and thought patterns determine how we perceive what goes on around us. If we can have healthy habits, it can make a world of difference in how we navigate life and come out with resilience, peace and joy. Diane Arnold has gone through some difficult seasons and knows first hand how some of these habits can help you keep going, even when you don’t feel like it. Diane Arnold is a licensed family and marriage counselor. Through her study of relationship attachment, she has spoken and written extensively on overcoming trauma and betrayal. Diane is also one of the founders of The Grace Center, an emotional healing center located in South Carolina. Diane and Neal have been married for 43 years and have three adult boys, three wonderful daughter-in-law’s and five grandchildren. Together they formed The Family Collective. For more about Diane and her resources: www.thefamilycollective.co

Would you say “Yes” to God if you knew you might lose your home, your job and your kid? We are called to sacrifice in our lives, but it’s not easy and some sacrifices are more painful than others. Valerie Juillerat knew God had some special assignments for her and when she was warned of the price she may pay, she said yes. Valerie boldly tells her story of a hard season and how her foundation in faith anchored her during the storm and enabled her to come out stronger. Valerie Juillerat is the founder of Lessons of the Heart Ministries; a platform in which she shares her testimony and insights as a speaker, author and artist. Her recently released book is Finding Hope When Storms Don’t Cease. Valerie is co-owner and Vice President of EPCO Accounting & Tax Services. A trip to Africa and her love for the African people have led her to serve as a Director of the Board for Chandelle Global Education. Valerie has two sons and lives with her husband, Tim, in Indiana. To connect with Valerie: www.valeriejuillerat.com

We often have big goals for the New Year but give out of steam quickly and are left disappointed and frustrated. In this empowering episode, we welcome Marnie Swedberg, an international leadership mentor, speaker, and author, to discuss some of the challenges and some solutions so you can navigate your purpose in today’s fast-paced world. Marnie shares practical tips on setting meaningful goals, managing time wisely, and developing a mindset rooted in joy and flexibility. Whether you’re striving to balance personal and professional commitments or looking for inspiration to step into your God-given purpose, this episode offers a wealth of encouragement and actionable steps. Marnie Swedberg embodies faith-in-action while generating "aha" moments of perspective transformation. This author of 14 books, mentor to millions, and host of the largest online directory of its kind in the world, brings joy, energy, and insights to every conversation. Fun and fast-paced, yet peaceful and approachable, her history includes fires, floods, a tornado, car wrecks, business set-backs, a burglary, lightning strike, sudden death in the family, and more. She models come-back behavior, possibility thinking, and profound faith. Connect with Marnie Swedberg • Website: www.marnie.com • Instagram: @MarnieSwedberg • Facebook: Marnie Swedberg Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Have you ever read all the way through the Bible? Maybe you started, but life interrupted and you stopped. Maybe the whole idea is too intimidating, and you haven’t even tried. We know God uses His Word to speak to us, guide us, encourage and empower us, and yet we seldom take advantage of the treasure awaiting us inside the pages of His Holy Book. A shift from should to want can make all the difference and our guest Janet McHenry has seen the life changing power that difference can make.

Janet McHenry is the author of 27 books--eight on prayer, including the bestselling PrayerWalk and her newest, Looking Up: Finding Joy as you Read and Pray Through the Bible. She serves on the California leadership team for the National Day of Prayer and as prayer ministries coordinator at The Bridge Church in Reno. Her prayer walking has been featured in national magazines such as Health, and she is the creator of an online Teachable course called Prayer School. Janet’s business name is called Looking Up! because she loves helping others develop a deeper relationship with God through the study of His Word and a praying lifestyle.

www.janetmchenry.com

Perspective is all about how we see the circumstances around us, and it affects our attitude and behavior. People in similar situations can respond in vastly different ways depending on their perspective. Wrapping up the Keeping Christ in Christmas: Dare to go Deeper series is Angela Donadio and she has a perspective on Christmas and life that few of us have. Prepare to have your lens on life cleared up a bit as we talk about embracing limitations, keeping Christ in us and living based on God’s assignments for us. Angela Donadio is a ministry mentor, author, international speaker, and Founder of Voice of the Voiceless and Communicators’ Collective. As a seasoned Bible teacher with thirty years of ministry experience and a survivor of two near-death health crises, Angela is passionate about helping others ground their worth in the word instead of the narrative of the world. She holds a Masters in Leadership and Ministry, and partners with her husband, Dale, to lead River of Life, a diverse church near Washington, D.C. She is an adventure junkie, lover of statement earrings, and grateful mom to two young adults. One stop shop for Angela: www.angeladonadio.com

There is a disconnect that happens when our actions don’t line up with our words and the church has been guilty many times. We can turn people off from God when our actions are harsh or uncaring, which is why Jesus said He wanted us to be kind to each other people. I had a very honest conversation with Greg West of Daybreak Church in Williamsburg about how Keeping Christ in Christmas means caring for the least of these, now and all year.

Greg West has been in ministry for over 30 years. He has served in various capacities including as a missionary, evangelist, local pastor, church planter, ​and university chaplain. Greg is currently the Outreach Pastor at Daybreak Church in Williamsburg and the Conference Superintendent of the Global Methodist Church in Virginia. He and his wife, Eileen, have 3 children and enjoy life in Virginia Beach.

To follow Greg: https://www.lifeinhisname.net/

The hustle and bustle of Christmas and the holiday season can crowd out peace and leave us disappointed and frazzled. We use phrases like “Keep Christ in Christmas”, but what does it really look like in our lives to worship the baby King and live differently? This conversation with Pastor Jeff Noble will have you breathing deep and calming down during the busy holiday season. We will share insights on slowing down during the holiday season, being present with others, and remembering that Christ is everything—through December and beyond. Jeff Noble has been pastor of Northstar Church in Blacksburg, VA (Go Hokies!) for 15 years. He and Carolyn have two adult, married kids, one grandson, and two grand dogs. He's a native Arkansan (Go Hogs!). Hobbies: coffee, fantasy football & rearranging the dishwasher. Jeff’s blog: https://www.jeffnoble.net/ NorthStar Church: dontgo.be or https://northstarfamily.org/ To connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com