Girls Talking Life Yohonna Smith

Welcome to a Girls Talking Life Extra. It’s not a full show, just a short chat – usually with a past guest – but today I’m introducing you to a new friend. New to the show that is! You may be familiar with Myquillyn Smith, also known as "The Nester.”
She is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Welcome Home and Cozy Minimalist Home. For the past 15 years, she has been encouraging women to embrace their space--imperfections and all--and make it their own.
Her home in North Carolina has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal, and Cottages & Bungalows. She's never met a home she didn't love. 
Today Myquillyn and I are talking about her new book HOUSE RULES. You’ll hear her talk about how perfection is not the goal. The goal is for you to love your home and invite people in. Rule #1: learn the rules and then break them beautifully.
 
RELATED EPISODES
If you’d like to hear more on hospitality and inviting people in, I encourage you to check out episodes #74 [A Warm and Welcoming Home for the Holidays] with Alieta Casey and #133 [Love Your Neighbors] with Twyla Franz.
 
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After listening, tell me what you thought! Did this episode resonate with you? I would love your feedback.
On Apple Podcasts, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, choose Go to Show, scroll down, and under Ratings and Reviews, tap Write a Review. It’s quick and easy! 
 
CONNECT WITH MYQUILLYN
Find her online at TheNester.com and on Instagram @TheNester.
 
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Do you feel intimidated when it comes to opening your Bible? Do you read your Bible but feel like you don’t get much out of it? Do you need something to freshen up your current Bible-studying routine?
My guest today is the lovely Portia Collins, a Christian Bible teacher, writer, and podcaster with a passion for sharing God’s Word. But it hasn’t always been that way. Portia shares her story of struggle, of turning to the Bible in desperation, and how when she did, she was changed.
You’ll hear us talk about…
Why we need to study the Word for ourselves
Reading vs. studying
Getting started with Bible study
Fresh ideas for experienced bible-studiers
Portia is the founder of She Shall Be Called, a nonprofit women’s ministry focused on Bible literacy. You can also catch her hosting two weekly podcasts: Grounded—a podcast/videocast from Revive Our Hearts—and Sweet Tea with Jasmine & Portia.
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SUPPORT THE SHOW
After listening, tell me what you thought! Did this episode resonate with you? I would love your feedback.
On Apple Podcasts, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, choose Go to Show, scroll down, and under Ratings and Reviews, tap Write a Review. It’s quick and easy! 
 
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Are you going through a big change right now? Or maybe lots of little ones?
Change is inevitable and even good change can be hard.
Author Andi Andrew joins me to chat about how we show amid of the changes we face, how it’s okay to grieve the losses, show gratitude for what’s next, and how through the transition we can grow to be more like Christ.
You’ll hear us talk about…
The grief of letting go Change that molds us Avoiding vs. welcoming Processing change with integrity Friendship through transition  
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If you’re listening in real time, my birthday is in two weeks! As a gift to me would you be willing to support the show by leaving a rating or review?
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  OUR SPONSOR Custom art by Connie Lawson 
Weeds Seeds and Beautiful Things 

How do you interact with people who are different than you?
If someone has different beliefs or political associations, do you automatically dismiss them?
What if your actions of friendship could save the world?
Author and speaker Carrie Stephens is on the show talking about the power of a diverse community, how we can move toward people who are different than us, and how we show up in the world as followers of Jesus first.  
You’ll hear us talk about…
The Book of Ruth
Why we need diverse friendships
Forgiveness and redemption
Law, love, and politics
 Carrie Stephens is the author of Holy Guacamole: A Glorious Discovery of your Undeniable Worth (Shiloh, February 2020), Jesus, Love, & Tacos: A Spicy Take on Lordship, Community, and Mission (Leafwood, October 2022), and co-author of Friendship Can Save the World: The Book of Ruth and the Power of Diverse Community (Leafwood, September 2023).
Carrie and her husband, Morgan, live in Austin, Texas, and have four incredible kids. After serving as campus ministers for ten years at the University of Texas, Carrie and Morgan have led Mosaic Church, a richly diverse community of faith in Austin, since 2009. They are passionate about reaching lives and transforming cities through church planting, campus ministry, and missional work.
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EPISODE REFLECTION GUIDE
Grab your free Reflection Guide for this episode. It highlights key points and gives you the chance to take what you heard, reflect on it, and apply it to your life.
 
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  OUR SPONSOR Custom art by Connie Lawson - Weeds Seeds and Beautiful Things 

How well do you know the people who live close to you? How well do you love them?
Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, but how do we actually do that?
Missional neighboring advocate Twyla Franz is on the show today helping us get closer to Jesus and grow deep, missional friendships with our neighbors.
You’ll hear us talk about…
What missional living is
What it means to be visible and interruptible
How humility and curiosity can deepen friendships
Overcoming the obstacles to missional neighboring
Twyla Franz is a big believer in baby steps and ripple-effect living. An Enneagram 9 learning to live open. She loves front-yard conversations with neighbors, chalk-painted furniture, and Yogi’s blueberry tea. As a missional neighboring guide, she helps others get close to Jesus and grow deep, missional friendships with neighbors.
Find her words (written and recorded) on twylafranz.com. Other places Twyla writes include (in)courage, Relevant, Her View From Home, and The Grit and Grace Project. She also hosts Begin Within: A Gratitude Series to encourage year-round gratitude (because gratitude, she says, has a ripple effect).
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  OUR SPONSOR Custom art by Connie Lawson - Weeds Seeds and Beautiful Things 
 
 
 

As you begin to settle into 2024 are you wondering how to make the most of this year? How to make the most of your life?
As you look at your goals and intentions for the year are they pointing you toward your purpose or are they all about performance?
Shawna Sullivan joins me to chat about how we can view our lives through a new lens, not living for achievements and accolades but taking small, practical steps toward the purposes God has for us.
You’ll hear us talk about…
Shawna’s story of performance to purpose
5 focus areas to help you live with purpose
Pursuing authentic relationships
5 prayers to create space for God to move this year
Shawna Sullivan is a mother and home educator to four children. After 13 years, she traded the hustle and bustle of New York City for the suburbs of north Texas. She will never take a backyard, time with family, air conditioning, or her own laundry room for granted. Shawna writes regularly for Family Christian and Christian Parenting online. Her passion for living faithfully, not perfectly, informs her words and ministry.
 
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE A Practical Guide for a Purposeful Life
The Bible Recap
5 Prayers to Create Space for God to Move This Year
 
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