Our Time to Rise in Midlife

Alexandra Kuykendall & Krista Gilbert
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Together we are rising to meet life's challenges, seasons, opportunities, and changes with strength, courage, optimism, and faith. From the heavy and hard to the light-hearted and fun, authors and leadership mentors Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall bring you honest and hopeful conversations for this moment in your life. We are intentional here. We are hopeful. We are encouraging each other. We are honest. We are realistic. We are for each other. We are God fearing and Holy Spirit welcoming. We are joyful. We are generous. We are capable. We are rising together. It is our time to meet the moment. It is our time to rise.

  1. 2D AGO

    Ep.531: The New Rules to Midlife Health Part 2 with Dr. Devan Szczepanski

    What happens when all of the things that used to work, stop working? Or maybe your body doesn't respond to exercise, diet, supplements or alcohol like your friend's does. Why?! We bring you Dr. Devan Szcepankski, the Founder and CEO of Nu Well Medicine. She is a board-certified family medicine physician with post-graduate certifications in Nutritional and Genomic Medicine. She uses nutrition and genomics to find how our bodies uniquely respond to our environments. She works one-on-one with patients to see what exactly THEY need to thrive.  So back to the why? You may be asking, Why doesn't my body work like it used to? Why does my BFF get different results with the same workout plan? Because you are a unique person with unique traits. Dr. Devan walks us through the factors from gut health to genetic predisposition that could help answer your questions and ultimately get you to better health. If you are wanting the new rules to midlife health, look no further. It's just the rules might be just as unique as you are. FIND MORE ABOUT DR DEVAN SZCZEPANSKI Dr. Devan Szczepanski- Website and Instagram Dr. Devan work - Website 2 FEW THINGS MENTIONED Books Fast Like a Girl- Dr Mindy Pelz Eat Like a Girl- Dr Mindy Pelz A Diet for Your Blood Type- QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What would it look like to pay more attention to your gut health this year? If sleep is one of the main indicator of health what shift do you need to make in your sleeping habits? What would it look like for you to advocate for greater health with your practitioners? LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

    36 min

  2. JAN 13

    Ep.530: The New Rules to Midlife Health Part 1 with Dr. Devan Szczepanski

    What happens when all of the things that used to work, stop working? Or maybe your body doesn't respond to exercise, diet, supplements or alcohol like your friend's does. Why?! We bring you Dr. Devan Szcepankski, the Founder and CEO of Nu Well Medicine. She is a board-certified family medicine physician with post-graduate certifications in Nutritional and Genomic Medicine. She uses nutrition and genomics to find how our bodies uniquely respond to our environments. She works one-on-one with patients to see what exactly THEY need to thrive.  So back to the why? You may be asking, Why doesn't my body work like it used to? Why does my BFF get different results with the same workout plan? Because you are a unique person with unique traits. Dr. Devan walks us through the factors from gut health to genetic predisposition that could help answer your questions and ultimately get you to better health. If you are wanting the new rules to midlife health, look no further. It's just the rules might be just as unique as you are. FIND MORE ABOUT DR DEVAN SZCZEPANSKI Dr. Devan Szczepanski- Website and Instagram QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What are your challenges health-wise in midlife? What is one wrong-right thing that you've been doing that you can stop doing? Has your body responded to something months or years later, where you have realised now that your body was responding to stress that happened a long time ago? How does it make you feel to consider your body responding and holding on to that stress for so long? What are you wanting to do better in your health as far as understanding your body in 2026? LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

    33 min

  3. JAN 6

    Ep.529: Inching Forward: What to Keep, What to Change and How to Enter New Year well with Krista and Alex

    Many of us feel the pressure of needing to reinvent ourselves every January.  Maybe what we actually need is a more sustainable, compassionate approach to growth. Instead of drastic resolutions, what if we explore the power of realistic goals, small shifts, and emotional agility—the kind of changes that actually stick?  This episode speaks directly to seasons of burnout and stagnation,reminding us all that acceptance is not giving up—it's often the first step forward. We discuss the circle of control, helping you discern what's yours to carry (and what isn't), and why reclaiming agency begins with clarity, not force. You'll also hear a thoughtful exploration of identity and motivation—how who we believe ourselves to be shapes the choices we make—and why mindfulness matters more than ever in midlife. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and make room for change that feels aligned instead of exhausting. The episode closes with a prayer for guidance and peace, offering grounding and hope as we step into 2026 with intention, grace, and trust.  In this episode: Why incremental change is often more powerful than big resolutions How acceptance can coexist with growth Recognizing burnout and stagnation without judgment Using the circle of control to reduce overwhelm The role of identity in lasting motivation Simple mindfulness practices for everyday life A closing prayer to anchor you as a new year begins A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Emotional Agility- Susan David Atomic Habit- James Clear QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What do you need to accept? What is in your circle of control and what isn't? What is your "I am someone who" statement? What can you keep doing, what can you stop doing and what can you start doing in 2026? LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

    42 min

  4. 12/16/2025

    Ep.528: Feeding ALL the People over the Holidays with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall

    Christmas magic makers - do you have a group you are needing to feed? Perhaps you have one significant meal you are preparing for, or like us, you have days of meals that are needed to feed more than are usually home. We have some tips for you! From how to make the food stretch (think loaves and fishes but in soup format) to how to get others to help (assign jobs or favorite foods) we've got ideas for you. We also cover how to balance from sit down to feed yourselves, how a "food bar" helps meet various preferences and dietary restrictions, and how bigger kids eat more, but also can take on a lot more responsibility.   Food during the holidays can bring an extra dose of nostalgia. Let's not let it also bring an extra dose of stress. Plan ahead. Bring a joyful attitude. And celebrate that you have mouths to feed and food to offer them. Expectations might need to be adjusted, but we believe in you and trust that, along with your team of helpers, you can feed ALL the people this holiday season. A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Proverbs 11:25 Italian Meatball Orzo Soup Italian Sausage White Bean Soup Apres Ski Chicken Dumplings Soup Zuppa Toscana Clam Chowder in bread bowls panini maker Chicken Marbella Soft Peanut Brittle QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What does success look like to you as you gather people this season? What is one way you can prepare now to gather and feed people near Christmas? What would it look like to involve others in the cooking this year? Make a list of possible meals that you can make or you can download Krista's Christmas planning guide, get it out of your head to the paper. How can you embody the spirit of Christmas this year as you host others? LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make y

    42 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    Ep.527: Hospitality That Creates Connections with Abby Kuykendall

    Are you hosting over the holidays… or avoiding it? Do you ever wonder what actually matters when you open your home—and what absolutely doesn't? If so, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. This week, Alex and Krista sit down with author and hospitality mentor Abby Kuykendall, whose book Let the Biscuits Burn gives permission to let go of entertaining to embrace the true heart of hospitality. Let's peel back the pressure, perfectionism, and Pinterest-level expectations surrounding hosting—especially during the holidays—and get honest about what true Biblical hospitality really looks like. Takeaways: Hospitality is both a spiritual gift and a discipline. True hospitality focuses on making others feel loved and seen. Entertaining is different from hospitality; it's more self-centered. Setting boundaries is crucial to prevent burnout during hosting. Practical tips can help incorporate hospitality into daily life. Creating a welcoming environment is key to effective hospitality. Hospitality can be transformative for both host and guest. Personal experiences highlight the power of opening one's home. Hospitality doesn't have to be perfect; it's about connection. The conversation encourages embracing hospitality as a rhythm. FIND MORE ABOUT ABBY KUYKENDALL Abby Kuykendall- Website and Instagram Abby Kuykendall's Book- Let the Biscuit Burn A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Revelation 19 1 Peter QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE When have you felt seen, known and loved, what did the other person do to help you feel that way? How can you be disciplined to build hospitality into your rhythms? What is one visual reminder you can create in your home or office that will trigger an invitation of hospitality? How can you get ready to be ready this holiday season? LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

    47 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    Ep.526: Celebrating Christmas When Things Feel Hard with Alex Kuykendall

    How is the world feeling to you these days? How does Christmas fit into all of the headlines of the day? What about grief during a time when we are told we should be celebrating? Alex reminds us of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Jesus came BECAUSE OF the grief of the world. He surprised the world with his arrival and now we wait with expectation for his return. Whether you aren't sure how to celebrate when your neighbors are suffering, or you are the one facing difficult circumstances - this is your annual reminder that Jesus is the hope of the world and this is why we remember his arrival every year. A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Books Celebrating Abundance by Walter Brueggermann Loving My Actual Christmas by Alex Kuykendall Episodes Episode 311- Christmas is Coming Episode 105- Loving My Actual Christmas Episode 480- Make Room for Hope Episode 481-Make Room for Peace Episode 482- Make Room for Joy Episode 483- Make Room for Love Episode 310- Moving Through Grief and Loss at Christmas Episode 507- Walking Kids Through Grief + Loss Sermon Colorado Community Church LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

    26 min

  7. 11/25/2025

    Ep.525: Freedom in Midlife with Gary Thomas

    How are you doing this week friend? Are you experiencing the busy of Thanksgiving week? The threshold of the holiday season can be overwhelming with so many responsibilities and shoulds. We are often the holiday makers for those ahead of us in life (our parents) and those behind (our kids and grandkids.) On top of the to-do list there can be the relational heaviness midlife can bring. The holidays can highlight where we are already hurting. Other midlife stressors can be equally painful. But we don't have to dread our life - or our holiday season. Gary Thomas is here to remind us that we live in freedom because Jesus offers us this gift. Yes, we have heartache, but more than that we have the promise of Christ that he has overcome the world. As you are baking your pies and basting your turkey over the next few days, join us as we dismantle some lies that are keeping us from walking in the way of Christ. Gary is honest, humble, and not wrong! This season of midlife can be disorienting and difficult. We also can experience the contrast of hope and good news that is in the resurrected Christ. FIND MORE ABOUT GARY THOMAS Gary Thomas- Website and Instagram Gary Thomas Book- The Life You Were Reborn to Live A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Genesis 3:16 Romans 7 1 Corinthians 15 John 16:33 1 Timothy 6:8 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What does it look like to pursue wisdom of God over everything at this stage in life? What does it look like to offer up your child to God, like Abraham did with Isaac? Is there an area of life where you feel you have unknowingly tipped into entitlement? Is there an area of good in your life that has become normal that you can see with fresh eyes again? LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

    40 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    Ep.524: Emotional Rest in Midlife with Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith

    Midlife can be exhausting. The amount of change we go through in this season of life brings grief. At the same time our bodies are changing in a way that can make us feel even more out of sorts. That is why Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is talking to us about emotional rest.   It's not a surprise that fear peaks its head and identity is questioned in this storm of change. Dr. Dalton-Smith reminds us we must pray for God's clarity and as we move through this journey. We need to watch our self-talk and the messages we are repeating in our own minds. And we must find a community of true belonging, where we are safe to explore these changes and how they impact our self perception.   We hope this is a place that feels like true belonging to you. As you experience the stress of midlife, we hope you press play, exhale, and remember that you belong to God no matter your age or stage. FIND MORE ABOUT DR. SAUNDRA DALTON-SMITH Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith- Website and Instagram Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Book- Being Fully Known A FEW THINGS MENTIONED DR. Saundra's other books Sacred Rest QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE Where in your life are you resisting change? If your pot is being stirred, is there something coming up in you that you need to pay attention to? What does it look like to accept your current situation so you can find the joy in what is? What form of sacred rest are you practicing so your soul is being watered? How can you explore what is underneath a fear you have? What have you been avoiding facing? What part of you are you holding back? LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier

    39 min
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About

Together we are rising to meet life's challenges, seasons, opportunities, and changes with strength, courage, optimism, and faith. From the heavy and hard to the light-hearted and fun, authors and leadership mentors Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall bring you honest and hopeful conversations for this moment in your life. We are intentional here. We are hopeful. We are encouraging each other. We are honest. We are realistic. We are for each other. We are God fearing and Holy Spirit welcoming. We are joyful. We are generous. We are capable. We are rising together. It is our time to meet the moment. It is our time to rise.

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