Honey for Your Heart with Bryson Kessler

Bryson Kessler
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  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

The "Honey for Your Heart" podcast, hosted by Clover + Bee boutique owner and Birmingham resident, Bryson Kessler, is a podcast about life, legacy, and love for storytelling. Struck by the stories and special wisdom of the women walking into her storefront, Bryson decided to share these legacy leaving lessons with YOU. Once a month, Bryson welcomes a guest - just like welcoming a friend through the doors of her boutique, Clover and Bee, to chat about the struggles, successes, and the sweetness of life. Her hope is that you are able to take a touch of sweetness back to your homes and community from these conversations. In the weeks in between interviews, Bryson provides a short word of inspiration to help you "put on" encouragement for your head, heart, and [overall mental health]. Whether you are encountering a tough season, on a mountain top high, or maybe just somewhere in between - tune in for a touch of sweetness and sisterhood. This is the Honey for Your Heart Podcast. www.shopcloverandbee.com

  1. 2D AGO

    54. How Do You Practice Gratitude When Life Hurts?

    Gratitude has been one of the most healing and transformational practices of my life.   In this episode, we talk about why gratitude isn't just a nice idea or positive mindset—but a biblical discipline that has the power to reshape our hearts, our thinking, and our intimacy with the Lord, especially in hard seasons.   Before diving in, I share a special moment from Season 2—Beth's own words on gratitude as she walked through cancer with unwavering faith. Even in her final days on hospice, gratitude remained a steady rhythm of her life. As she rested, my sister and I would read aloud from One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and time and again, we watched gratitude wash peace over her soul.   This episode explores: What gratitude really is—and why it matters How gratitude affects us biologically, spiritually, and emotionally Why gratitude often reveals what's hidden in our hearts How practicing gratitude trains us to depend on God rather than ourselves Why Scripture doesn't suggest gratitude—it commands it Through personal stories, Scripture, and practical application, we talk honestly about how gratitude can feel especially difficult in seasons of anxiety, loss, disappointment, and unanswered prayers—and why those are often the very moments gratitude does its deepest work.   Finally, we walk through simple, tangible ways to begin practicing gratitude today—not just in the obvious blessings, but even in the hard moments—learning to receive life with thanksgiving and trust God even when nothing changes.   If you're longing for peace, freedom, and joy that isn't dependent on circumstances, this episode is an invitation to begin the obedient, life-giving work of gratitude. Scripture Referenced Philippians 4:6–7 James 1:17 Psalm 34:1 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 Practical Takeaways Begin each day or evening by thanking God for specific moments from the last 24 hours Write your gratitude down or speak it aloud in prayer Invite the Holy Spirit to show you what He's doing even in hard moments Practice gratitude not as a feeling, but as an act of obedience A Gentle Encouragement Gratitude doesn't deny pain—but it does redirect our focus. As we practice gratitude, God slowly trains our hearts to trust Him more deeply and rest in His presence, no matter what season we're walking through. Companion Links: Listening Guide Study Guide  7 Day Companion Scripture Guide  Small Group Discussion Guide   Coming Next Week Next week, we'll talk about what it truly means to live with an eternal mindset—and how fixing our eyes on what lasts forever changes the way we live every single day.

    25 min

  2. MAR 8

    53. What If Waiting Isn't Wasted

    Waiting often feels like doing nothing — but Scripture tells us a very different story.   In this episode, Bryson invites us into one of the most formative seasons of her life: the long, sacred waiting during her sister Beth's time in hospice. Beginning with words written in real time from a CaringBridge post, Bryson reflects on the strange tension of waiting — when hours pass in a blink, but days feel endless — and how God met her in the in-between.   Through personal stories, biblical truth, and gentle reflection, this episode reframes waiting not as passive resignation, but as active trust. Bryson shares how waiting exposed areas of control in her own heart, and how God used seasons of helplessness to refine her dependence on Him. Drawing from Scripture, journaling practices, and moments of quiet surrender, she reminds us that waiting is often the place where God does His deepest work.   If you're in a season of uncertainty, grief, or unanswered questions, this episode offers steady encouragement and a reminder that God is not wasting your waiting — He is present, purposeful, and at work in ways we cannot yet see. Scripture Referenced Psalm 130:5 Isaiah 30:15 Lamentations 3:25 Romans 8:26 In This Episode, We Talk About Why waiting is active, not passive The tension of time in seasons of grief and uncertainty How waiting exposes our desire for control Learning to surrender instead of striving Practices that help us wait well: prayer, Scripture, journaling, and awareness of God's presence A Gentle Invitation As you move through this week, consider where God might be inviting you to wait with Him instead of striving on your own. If all you can do right now is wait, know that you are not behind — God is doing sacred work in the in-between. Coming Next Week Next week, we'll talk about the practice of gratitude — not just being thankful, but choosing gratitude as a spiritual discipline. It has been one of the most transformational and healing parts of Bryson's journey, and she's excited to explore it with you.   Thank you for listening and for walking this season together.   Additional Resources:  Waiting Isn't Wasted Listening Guide Waiting Isn't Wasted Study Guide Waiting Isn't Wasted Companion Scripture Guide Waiting Isn't Wasted Small Group Discussion Guide   Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/honey_for_your_heart/ For more information on Honey For Your Heart, visit: https://honeyforyourheartpodcast.com/

    11 min

  3. MAR 2

    52. Welcome to Season 3 of Honey For Your Heart

    This season marks a new beginning—one shaped by grief, surrender, and the deep work God does in places we never would have chosen, but where He so often meets us most faithfully. In this opening episode, Bryson shares why this season of the podcast will look different than the first two. After walking with her sister Beth through nine years of cancer and her final hospice days, Bryson stepped away from the podcast to grieve and wrestle with the Lord in a deeply personal way. Now, she returns changed—but anchored in the same truth that has always defined Honey For Your Heart: God is still writing good and perfect stories, even when they are hard.   Using the imagery of Kintsugi—the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold—this episode explores how God meets us in our brokenness, not to erase the cracks, but to fill them with His presence, grace, and purpose. Bryson reflects on the story of Joseph and the repeated promise that "the Lord was with him," reminding us that God's presence does not spare us from suffering, but it does ensure our pain is never wasted.   This episode sets the foundation for the season ahead—one that will focus on lessons learned in the deep places: waiting, gratitude, surrender, living with an eternal mindset, and trusting God when His plan looks different than our own.   Whether you are grieving, waiting, questioning, or simply weary, this episode is an invitation—to sit with God in the tension, to trust Him in the unfinished chapters, and to believe that even here, He is still at work.   Scripture Referenced Psalm 34:18 Genesis 39:2 Psalm 130:5 What's Coming This Season In the weeks ahead, we'll talk about: Why waiting is active, not passive Gratitude as a spiritual practice, not just a feeling What it truly means to live with an eternal mindset Holding our human desires alongside surrendered trust in God's plan Thank you for being here—and for walking into this new season together.   Additional Resources: "Lessons From The Deep" Listening Guide "Lessons From The Deep" Study Guide "Lessons From The Deep" Companion Scripture Guide "Lessons From The Deep" Small Group Discussion Guide   Follow along on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/honey_for_your_heart/   Find out more about Honey for Your Heart at https://honeyforyourheartpodcast.com/

    12 min

  4. 12/23/2024

    51. What Every Parent Should Know with Kari Kampakis

    I am so thrilled to introduce you to Kari Kampakis today! Kari is a best selling author and speaker focusing on very practical and godly tips for primarily teens (but other stages as well) and wisdom for parenting through all stages of childhood. I discovered her books about 4 years ago at a time when I was newly parenting teens and felt very lost in how to navigate that season well. A friend gave me Kari's book Love Her Well and it was truly eye opening and life changing for me, especially during that season. Soon after, we added Kari's books to Clover + Bee and had her come in for a special event for moms. Kari's wisdom is truly a gift from the Lord. She has the ability to share it in such a practical, common sense way that is easy to digest and immediately implement. Her tips are so helpful to learn how to love your child well and relate to him or her in whatever season you find yourself in.   Kari describes herself as a deep thinker, saying if you met in person, she would want to skip the small talk and dive straight into the coffee talk. That is the treat you are in for today! She has been featured on the Today Show, Focus on the Family, multiple podcasts, Yahoo News and so much more.   Kari and I dive into her story for a bit but then really settle into that good coffee talk tackling issues like anxiety, adult friendships, social media, boundaries and more. If you are a parent in any season of life, wondering if you are alone or if you are getting this thing right or how to navigate the stage you are in, grab a pen and paper and pull up a seat - this episode is just for you!   To learn more about Kari, her books and her upcoming speaking events, visit https://www.karikampakis.com/

    50 min

  5. 12/16/2024

    50. Trauma: Do I Have It and How Do I Deal With It? with Laura Williams

    At the core, this podcast is rooted in storytelling. Typically, we would walk through the story of a guest and encounter the Lord and His redemptive work through the lens of that particular story. But on this episode, we change that up a bit. Today, I want to invite you to intentionally step into your own story armed with the knowledge you obtain as you listen to this episode. Let me explain what I mean…   Our guest today is Laura Williams. Laura is the co-owner of Be Found Counseling in Brentwood, TN just south of Nashville and the host of the Encountering You Podcast which tackles touch issues in mental health and how they relate to your faith journey. Laura specializes in trauma therapy and an incredibly powerful concept called re-parenting. You might be thinking - I really don't have trauma in my life - I've not had anything major happen to me. Right off the bat, Laura dives into what trauma really is and I assure you, what she says will resonate with you.   A friend of mine says, "God Fathers best by taking us back through our story. You can not write a new story until you deal with the one you've been given". So, the hope today is that we are able to encourage each of you step into your own story from a high level perspective and start or maybe continue the process of story work.   Our prayer is that as you listen today you would feel seen in ways you haven't before or maybe receive clarification on a space within your emotions or thoughts that has been confusing or possibly even alerted to places in your life that need to be attended to currently. The tools and information Laura shares on this episode are truly life-changing. Definitely grab a pen and paper for this one and enjoy understanding more about how God has perfectly created you and discover the pathway back to the true essence of who He created you to be.   For more information on Laura, visit https://www.befoundcounseling.com/

    53 min

  6. 12/09/2024

    49. One Prayer Away: The Pathway To Healing with Lauren Fortenberry

    Do you find yourself feeling "stuck" in the hard seasons of life? Maybe you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, confused, alone or simply not sure how to survive one more day in the space you find yourself today. If I am describing you, know that you are not alone and in God's grace and kindness, He has a special word, especially for you today.   My guest today is Lauren Fortenberry. Lauren is a writer and speaker with a passion to fearlessly and faithfully encourage women through the love of Jesus Christ. Her desire is to point every Sister's heart to God's promises and healing. This desire and passion was born out of a very hard season in her own life. Today, she shares her journey through that season and the beautiful way the Lord met her there and began to teach her daily more about Who He is and what He promises - and it all started with a single prayer.   She is the Author of One Prayer Away, an inspirational and encouraging devotional book written in poetic form that daily points you to the freedom that can be found in Christ. Lauren states: "When you cannot see the road ahead. When you wonder if the hurt is beyond healing. When you are at the edge of what your heart can handle. Whether you are struggling or seeking, flying or failing - God is with you! You can trust Him to hold you through it all."   As you hear Lauren share her story today, it is our prayer that the Lord would use her words to bring peace, encouragement and healing to your soul and most importantly remind you that you never walk a single second of this life alone. He is with you. He is for you. He is holding you and He is not wasting a moment of the season you are in.   For more information about Lauren or One Prayer Away, visit https://laurenfortenberry.com/

    39 min

  7. 11/25/2024

    48. How to Break Free From Anxiety and Insecurity with Whitney Lowe

    If you find yourself struggling with anxiety, burnout and insecurity, especially as it relates to the comparison game that is so prevalent on social media today, this episode is one you do not want to miss!   My guest today is Whitney Lowe. Whitney is a Christian influencer who wants to see young women excited about God's work: in the Bible, in history, in the world, and in them. She writes and creates an Instagram called @ScribbleDevos, which was a project born from the realization that young women simply do not interact with the Bible enough to be changed by its truth.   Whitney is passionate about disrupting the toxic scroll of social media with hope, peace, and light straight from Scripture. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, who is a pastor, and their two young children   She just released a new book called Set Your Eyes Higher: A 40-Day Reset to Slow Your Anxiety and Fix Your Focus on God. The book was inspired by the realization that constantly staring at her phone and computer were causing her increased anxiety and insecurity – and that the only way to combat this addiction to screens was to set her gaze UP and OUT.    Today, we dive into a number of common toxic struggles including social media information overload, insecurity and anxiety, burnout, rest vs counterfeit rest, the joys and struggles of motherhood, and so much more! Whitney has a gift of simplifying these issues that can seem to drown us and overwhelm us into understandable truths with practical applications to break free from the struggle and step into a Godly rhythm in these areas of our lives. This conversation was so life giving and encouraging to me - I know it will be for you as well.   For more information about Whitney, visit https://www.scribbledevos.com/

    45 min

  8. 11/18/2024

    47. Finding Healing and Strength In The Midst of Burnout with Tara Austin

    My guest today is someone that I've followed on social media and watched her inspiring story unfold for several years. Last year, I had the privilege to meet her at a conference and hear a bit more of that story but also see her authenticity and vulnerability first hand.   Tara Austin is the founder and CEO of Ruthie Grace, a women's clothing boutique empire. She has a storefront in Montgomery, TX and a massive online presence servicing customers all over the globe. In addition to Ruthie Grace, she is also the co-owner of Forged, a men's boutique with her husband Josh and she has recently been spending much of her time investing in other retail store owners, teaching strategies to grow and scale their businesses, as she has done with Ruthie Grace. In addition to all of those things, she is the mother to three precious boys! Needless to say, she is very busy.   Today, Tara shares the history of Ruthie Grace, which she started with very little experience but a lot of confidence in how the Lord created her and gifted her. She also dives into how the Lord walked with her through a season of extreme burnout and ultimately uprooted some deep lies she was believing about herself and how He transformed her as a person, calling her to then share that journey with others.   I know, that like me, you will find inspiration in Tara's story as she stepped out on faith and trust into a calling the Lord had on her life. And you will find encouragement in her vulnerability as she shares some of the deep valleys she walked along the way and how the Lord was faithful to His promises to redeem and refine her as he carried her through the storm.

    58 min
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About

The "Honey for Your Heart" podcast, hosted by Clover + Bee boutique owner and Birmingham resident, Bryson Kessler, is a podcast about life, legacy, and love for storytelling. Struck by the stories and special wisdom of the women walking into her storefront, Bryson decided to share these legacy leaving lessons with YOU. Once a month, Bryson welcomes a guest - just like welcoming a friend through the doors of her boutique, Clover and Bee, to chat about the struggles, successes, and the sweetness of life. Her hope is that you are able to take a touch of sweetness back to your homes and community from these conversations. In the weeks in between interviews, Bryson provides a short word of inspiration to help you "put on" encouragement for your head, heart, and [overall mental health]. Whether you are encountering a tough season, on a mountain top high, or maybe just somewhere in between - tune in for a touch of sweetness and sisterhood. This is the Honey for Your Heart Podcast. www.shopcloverandbee.com

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