A Penny for Your Thoughts: Lifting Shame & Building Community

Ashley Pennington
  • 5.0 (11)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

“I am Ashley Pennington and this is “A Penny for your thoughts.” I am a wife, mom, and lover of all things Christ. As someone who has struggled with alcoholism and disordered eating, I have found healing and redemption through Christ who continues to move in my life. By using my personal story and testimony of faith, I want to connect with you. I want to create community during times of isolation. And Most importantly I want to validate you, in whatever season you find yourself. Let this be a place for you. A community for you. A place to conceptualize your thoughts. And a place for you to truly be you.”

  1. 12/19/2025

    My Birthday Reflection: When My Way Wasn’t Working

    Send us a text On this episode, I am reflecting on the past year and my word for 35 which was obedience. This past year has taught me a lot, especially about the value of intentionally connecting with God every single day. Have you ever experienced those moments where you don’t realize you are going about it your own way or you are unintentionally leading God in your prayers? It wasn’t until I took a deep dive and fully reset, that I realized I was still trying to be in control and pursue my own will over God‘s will for me.  My way wasn’t working. Something had to change.  So this episode is more about staying connected to God and not doing more or being more, but intentionally connecting to the one who has such wonderful plans in store for us. Take a listen! Support the show Want to learn more? www.xoashleyp.com Follow me: (1) Facebook Instagram (4) Ashley (Hemrich) Pennington | LinkedIn Also, make sure you use APENNY4 to get 10% off your next order from Find The Good Brand - It's Everywhere!

    35 min

  2. 08/19/2025

    Hunger No More: The Promise of the Bread of Life

    Send us a text On this episode, we are diving into John 6:27-35: Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”  Let me ask you this, “Are you someone (like me) who seeks praise from others?” Then this episode is for you. I’ve heard this scripture so many times over the years, but today, God really spoke to me and told me that I was putting work into the food that perishes, rather than fixing my eyes on Him.  That in chaos, my time with Him is the first thing to go and I fill up my to do list with (again) food that perishes.  How about you? Sound familiar? If so, take a listen. I know I needed this scripture today and I hope it resonates with you too.  xo, Ashley P Support the show Want to learn more? www.xoashleyp.com Follow me: (1) Facebook Instagram (4) Ashley (Hemrich) Pennington | LinkedIn Also, make sure you use APENNY4 to get 10% off your next order from Find The Good Brand - It's Everywhere!

    32 min

  3. 08/11/2025

    “Be Still & Know”: Trusting God during Transition

    Send us a text On today’s episode, we are leaning wholeheartedly into Psalm 46:10: “Be still & know that I am God.”  As a family, we are navigating this new transition into preschool & man, how tough it has been on this Mama’s heart. During these seasons of transition, I am always reminded of Psalm 46:10, so much so that I have it tattooed on my forearm because I forget it so much. LOL If you are listening today and going through a time of uncertainty, I invite you to lean in to this verse. God is here with us and we just have to take that moment to be in the presence of Him to know that He has a greater plan for us.  And if you’re a parent or caregiver moving through this transition season, my heart goes out to you and I pray for a safe and healthy season amidst change & uncertainty. God’s got this. He never leaves. He never fails.    Support the show Want to learn more? www.xoashleyp.com Follow me: (1) Facebook Instagram (4) Ashley (Hemrich) Pennington | LinkedIn Also, make sure you use APENNY4 to get 10% off your next order from Find The Good Brand - It's Everywhere!

    28 min

  4. 05/22/2025

    Faith Over Fear: Believing God Will Provide

    Send us a text On this episode, I want to unpack these places of restlessness and discontentment. I’ve had many recent conversations regarding this place of restlessness, this place of lack of joy in their day to day, their job, their season of parenthood, their marriage or their faith.  And if you've listened to my episodes leading up to kind of this one, I went through a period of that about two months ago where I was feeling this restlessness. I was just feeling like, am I doing what God has called me to do? What does that look like? And not really finding the joy and fulfillment in what I was doing on a day-to-day basis. And it really had to take a deeper dive into my purpose, my calling.  Are you one of those people right now who is feeling kind of that discontent? . Maybe you feel like you're just going to work to get a paycheck? Is there more out there? Like, I see people that absolutely love their jobs. Why don't I have that? Right? Maybe that's you.  Or maybe you are in a marriage where you feel like it's just boring for lack of better terms. You're just not feeling that passion and enjoyment and things just seem routine and regular and you're thinking to yourself, is there more, right? Is there some joy and fulfillment that will come out of this?  Maybe you're in a season of parenthood where things feel chaotic and you think, is this going to be my life every day for the rest of my life? Or is this just a season? Or maybe there is that mundane piece of it where you go about your day and everyday feels the same, and you wonder, where is Jesus in this?  I’m here to tell you God has plans to give us hope and a future, and it may not be exactly how we planned it or envisioned it. Let me say that again. God has plans to give us a hope and a future and it may not be exactly the way that we planned it. . In his timing, in the way that he provides for us, and who he puts in our paths. So this challenge that you're going through right now, maybe it's just this feeling of is there something next? God is nudging you in that moment, and I invite you to listen because he's telling you, yes, there is. That whatever is on your heart, I want you to move forward. I want you to seek me in all of this.  Friends, lean into that restlessness, lean into that discomfort right now where you're just feeling ugh, like, what is next? Because God is tugging on your heart right now. And when he tugs on your heart, open your ears to listen. He has a dream for you. He has a purpose, he has a plan for you, and I invite you to lean in feet first. and move with him.  Support the show Want to learn more? www.xoashleyp.com Follow me: (1) Facebook Instagram (4) Ashley (Hemrich) Pennington | LinkedIn Also, make sure you use APENNY4 to get 10% off your next order from Find The Good Brand - It's Everywhere!

    22 min

  5. 04/07/2025

    Less Stuff, More Joy: The Power of Simple Living

    Send us a text Simplicity. This season, I am basking in simplicity. Simple Living. Less Stuff, More Joy; Peace; Moments with my boys; Experiences; Jesus; etc. (You fill in your blank).  On this episode, I have felt God pull me in this direction for a long time, but I have neglected to really listen to Him and his calling for less clutter, more simplicity. Recently, we went on a little spring break trip and in these moments, and as I am packing, I am always reminded of the amount of things that we have and can choose to bring with us. I am also reminded of those around me who may decide to bring "all the things," which can certainly take away from the overall experience.  No harsh judgment, just reality. What if we stripped away the things and really leaned into the experience? Took away the "technology time" throughout our days with our kids and really leaned into boredom? A recent study found that more and more kids are not resting in their talents because they find themselves always engaged in technology. For example, we are seeing fewer athletes and artists as many of our most talented celebrities picked up a ball or a paintbrush because they were bored. Now, we have a rectangular device that we can pick up anywhere at anytime that will fully engage us for hours.  Friends, my hope and prayer is that we become more intentional with our time on this Earth. That we really lean into the things that really matter to us and choose to leave the rest. This season, I am resting in simple living. Living that encompasses boundaries. Living with the things that truly matter to me. Living for the Kingdom of God and all its treasures vs. the treasures of the world. What about you? Are you living for today or for the Kingdom?  Support the show Want to learn more? www.xoashleyp.com Follow me: (1) Facebook Instagram (4) Ashley (Hemrich) Pennington | LinkedIn Also, make sure you use APENNY4 to get 10% off your next order from Find The Good Brand - It's Everywhere!

    47 min

  6. 03/31/2025

    "Are We There Yet?": Embracing the Importance of the Journey

    Send us a text On this episode, we are diving into "the waiting." The time between decisions. The time between point A to point B. The time to pause. The path that we take to get to the destination. Friends, have you ever been so incredibly excited for something to only get there and be let down? Or to have a differing opinion than the review suggested? Let me ask you this, did you learn something about yourself along the way? Or were you so focused on getting to the destination that you neglected to notice things along the way?  Recently, my husband and I hiked 16 miles along the Appalachian Trail, which was rugged, icy, and snowy. I mean, we climbed to the top of a mountain! And on the way down, I could count twice on my hands and feet the number of people who asked us "Are we there yet?" So, that phrase and experience prompted me to dive into "the waiting."  How many of us are spending our time rushing about and not taking in God's beauty around us? How many of us spend countless hours with our heads fixated on the destination that we lose sight of learning through the journey? Through the waiting? How many of us get annoyed or frustrated when things don't go OUR way during OUR timing?  Friends, there is learning in the waiting. There is purpose in the waiting. There is pause in the waiting. There is GOD in the waiting. I invite you to learn something new about yourself today while in "the waiting."  Support the show Want to learn more? www.xoashleyp.com Follow me: (1) Facebook Instagram (4) Ashley (Hemrich) Pennington | LinkedIn Also, make sure you use APENNY4 to get 10% off your next order from Find The Good Brand - It's Everywhere!

    32 min

  7. 03/21/2025

    Obedience: Living God's Purpose

    Send us a text Obedience: Apparently, this is my word for 2025. I hadn't planned it, but "obedience" keeps coming up in my daily prayer with God.  On today's episode, we dive into what it means to be obedient to God's will and how "going our own way" is actually disobeying God and his plan for us. As an avid rule follower, I was very much taken aback when I realized that I was disobeying God when I tried to be in control. Wow. I hadn't realized that I was actually disobeying God's will for me when I decided I didn't like His timing and took the reins for myself. When I decide I want to lead instead of letting Him lead me.  How many of us are struggling to find God's voice amidst the chaos in our life? How many of us are (like me) putting "prayer" on the to-do list? Rather than praying when He needs me to hear Him. Being obedient and listening to His plan for me. His purpose for me.  Romans 8:28 is so key for our purpose, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Friends, what is your purpose? And are you living out your purpose? Are you living your life on purpose?  Friends, let's lean in together to hear God's word. To hear His plan for each of us. And start living His purpose for us.  Support the show Want to learn more? www.xoashleyp.com Follow me: (1) Facebook Instagram (4) Ashley (Hemrich) Pennington | LinkedIn Also, make sure you use APENNY4 to get 10% off your next order from Find The Good Brand - It's Everywhere!

    35 min

  8. 03/03/2025

    When Anxiety Lessens, God’s Love Expands: My Journey of Understanding

    Send us a text Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV) reads: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Recently, I took some time off from creating content, as my brain and my body needed a reset. On this episode, we explore the difference between fear and anxiety, as well as my recent struggle with the "What if" game and fear of the unknown.  I will also debunk a recent misconception regarding my former way of battling anxiety as a Christian and how the Word has completely changed my perspective for the better.  In my faith journey, I have been blessed with so many fellow believes who impart so much wisdom upon my life that I can't help but go into the Word each time I am fixated on the terrors my fear and anxiety.  I can't help but give thanks to Max Lucado: "Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World" as well as Jennie Allen: in her Restless series, Get out of your Head, and Untangle Your Emotions. These books have brought so much light and clarity into my (sometimes) chaotic brain. I invite you to check them out!  Support the show Want to learn more? www.xoashleyp.com Follow me: (1) Facebook Instagram (4) Ashley (Hemrich) Pennington | LinkedIn Also, make sure you use APENNY4 to get 10% off your next order from Find The Good Brand - It's Everywhere!

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

“I am Ashley Pennington and this is “A Penny for your thoughts.” I am a wife, mom, and lover of all things Christ. As someone who has struggled with alcoholism and disordered eating, I have found healing and redemption through Christ who continues to move in my life. By using my personal story and testimony of faith, I want to connect with you. I want to create community during times of isolation. And Most importantly I want to validate you, in whatever season you find yourself. Let this be a place for you. A community for you. A place to conceptualize your thoughts. And a place for you to truly be you.”

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