Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder‪?‬ Molly Stillman | Speaker, Author, Loud Laugher

Every parent struggles with maintaining their own identity while also trying to pour all their energy into being a mother or a father. Our guest this week knows all about that. Dr. Morgan Cutlip knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood and she’s been determined to help others navigate that with more success.
You might have come across her on social media, her podcast, her blog, or through the courses on her website. She also just published a new blook called Love Yourself Without Losing Yourself, and it’s all about how moms can beat burnout and banish guilt. But even better, it actually provides some practical tips for taking care of ourselves.
Her focus might be on motherhood, but you’ll quickly realize that this also applies to the dads out there. Really, anyone with kids can benefit from listening to Morgan and that’s why we’re really excited to bring you this interview.
4:05 – Morgan 101
Her experience in the relationship education field Struggling with motherhood  What pushed her to make this her mission 10:24 – Challenges of motherhood
Overwhelming amount of advice about what’s right and wrong Conflicting advice from social media ‘experts’ What she learned from her parents 24:19 – Parenting now vs past generations
Every generation faces its own set of challenges No child will leave their childhood experience without something Putting parenthood on a pedestal 30:33 – Mom guilt
Intensive mothering Giving yourself permission Putting your own identity on the backburner 47:19 – Her book
3 reasons self-care irritates her 5 areas that exist in all relationships Touch purposefully FEATURED QUOTES
”I know I didn't have the answers, but I knew I had the skill sets to figure out how to empower moms to navigate motherhood differently. And so that's when I made up my mind, this is what I wanted to do.”
“We have overcorrected, and it's all done with good intentions. But sometimes too much of a good thing becomes bad. And we have left ourselves in a place where we are parenting so intensely, that we can't help but feel like we're regularly getting it wrong.”
“Sometimes we need that permission to not make everything about our kids, right. And I think a lot of us then if we if we act on that permission, we will feel guilty about it. And so we have to deal with what's underneath that guilt in order to get that get rid of that because it's not serving us.”
 
Connect with Dr. Morgan Cutlip: https://drmorgancutlip.com
Get her book ‘Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself’: https://drmorgancutlip.com/book/
 
About Dr. Morgan Cutlip: Dr. Morgan Cutlip knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. She is experienced and trained in translating psychological theory and research into practical, accessible, and actionable advice, which she shares with her clients and social media followers (@drmorgancutlip) and through her courses, podcast, and her blog as cofounder of MyLoveThinks.com. Dr. Cutlip earned her masters in human development and family science and her doctorate in counseling psychology. She is a mother of two wild kids, wife of her high school sweetheart, and life-long lover of all things relationship.
Buy the book here: LOVE YOUR KIDS WITHOUT LOSING YOURSELF. For more information, visit https://www.mylovethinks.com/links/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/drmorgancutlip/

What if your past could become your passageway to true connection? This week, we welcome the author of Get Past Your Past, Jason VanRuler. Jason opens up about his journey from a broken home and the struggle trying to avoid repeating those same patterns. He brings insights on healing, the power of vulnerability, and the role of psychological care, self-help, and healthy relationships in our lives.
I love this conversation with Jason because we really dive deep into the journey of healing from our past and how challenging that can be. We talk about how we find the courage to be vulnerable with people around us and how it is really important to feel it to heal it. We get deep in this episode and I know you’re going to love it as well.
3:10 – Jason 101 Coming from a broken home with trauma and chaos and abuse When did things begin to change for him? The things he wanted to do differently when he reached adulthood 12:09 – Feel It to Heal It Why is it so difficult for people to deal with grief? Bringing other people into the equation to help you heal Opening up and building trust incrementally 20:03 – Steps to find someone to be vulnerable with Taking it step-by-step, there is not shortcut Don’t try to make someone your person How we think about it and talk about it changes over time 29:41 – The struggle to forgive ourselves When did you stop deserving forgiveness? Common thread for people that struggle with forgiveness Honoring people we hurt by being better 41:46 – Action steps you can take Be honest with yourself about what’s going on Recognizing the cost Hope is always there even if you can’t see it FEATURED QUOTES "If you don't know how to do it differently, you return to what you know. And within a couple of years, I just sort of built the life I was running from."
“I think the best way we can honor the people we hurt is by being better. And we can't be better if we if we don't forgive ourselves because people don't improve what they don't value.”
“If you're in this season and this space, use that growth. And remember that when you feel those times of regret in those moments, that's actually a sign you changed for the better. Because you never would have noticed it otherwise.”
____ 
Connect with Jason: https://www.jasonvr.com/
Get Jason’s book ‘Get Past Your Past’: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Past-Your-Facing-Connection/dp/0310367417

I am so excited to be joined by Christa Hardin this week, founder of Reflections Counseling Center and the host of the immensely popular Enneagram and Marriage podcast, which has over a million downloads. For over two decades, Christa has been helping couples find renewal and happiness together. Utilizing the Enneagram, alongside other research-based marriage tools, she works to offer couples a deeper understanding of their unique strengths and shadows.
This episode brings a powerful exploration of how our individual personalities influence our ability to communicate in relationships. We’ll also dive into the exciting release of Christa's new book, "The Enneagram in Marriage: Your Guide to Thriving Together in Your Unique Pairing," which is set to hit the shelves this month.
4:02 – Christa 101 A calling to working with couples Using the Enneagram as a tool in counseling “You shine brighter in the world when your gifts are in harmony together” 18:43 – Understanding your spouse The 9 types of Enneagram personalities Seeking out how to love each other Express what you’re learning about yourself 28:42 – Relationship dynamics through the Enneagram Working with couples of different Enneagram types Recognizing strengths and shadows within a relationship Bringing your unique gifts to the table 35:40 – Some common enneagram parings Enneagram 1 and 3 Enneagram 8 and 9 Marriage as a marathon, not a sprint 41:46 – Using the enneagram to learn about yourself Starting generous conversations Date nights each week Christa’s new book coming out October 3rd, 2023 FEATURED QUOTES You shine brighter in the world when your gifts are in harmony together.
By looking at the way our spouse sees the world differently, we do become more expansive.
There's these little cues you can start giving to your spouse as you come to know your personality.
https://www.enneagraminyourmarriage.com/home
Jesse Eubanks show: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/podcast/jesse-eubanks-332/
Ian Morgan Cron show: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/podcast/enneagram-ian-morgan-cron/

Today I am thrilled to be joined by Chuck and Ashley Elliott, content creators who you may recognize from platforms such as YouVersion or RightNow Media. Beyond their online presence, Chuck is a pastor at Bethel Church in Evansville, Indiana, while Ashley serves as a licensed counselor.
Recently, Chuck and Ashley co-authored a transformative book titled I Used to Be ____. Life can take unexpected turns, and when you find yourself grappling with loss- whether it's the loss of a relationship, a job, a sense of security, or an identity- you enter the realm of "used to be." It's a space that can feel stifling, leaving you trapped in memories of what once was. But Chuck and Ashley are here to remind you that while it's natural to dwell in this space for a while, it's not where you're meant to stay.
This episode dives deep into the heart of grief and the path to healing. This is such a powerful conversation that I am so excited to share.
4:39 – Chuck and Ashley 101 Meeting at Lee University Finding their love for ministry together The story behind I Used To Be _____ 11:56 – Experiencing grief Grief is not linear Everyone’s journey is unique What does God want for us? 27:33 – There is hope God does not want us to stay stuck in these places The Lord is near to the brokenhearted God is worth the sacrifice 38:00 – What God teaches through suffering Through suffering and grief, God can do his best work John 3:30 47:47 – Navigating seasons of loss Acknowledge big and small losses Breathe and be patient with yourself The complex interplay between grief and joy 47:47 – Supporting those in grief Find creative ways to offer support Don’t feel like you have to say the perfect thing Be present FEATURED QUOTES
Don’t feel like you have to say the perfect thing because there is no perfect thing to say. When you show up, you don't have to say something to take away their pain.
Give yourself permission to take care of yourself. When you don't feel like you're okay, tell someone you don't feel okay.
You can be joyful and grieving at the same time. You can laugh and cry at the same time.
https://www.chuckandashley.com/

Hey there, amazing listeners! I’m excited to share today’s special episode with you. You see, today marks a significant milestone for me: I'm celebrating my 38th birthday! What better way to celebrate than with all of you?
Birthdays, especially as we grow into adulthood, carry this intriguing blend of excitement, reflection, and dread. Lately, I've been pondering this unique tension surrounding birthdays, especially the big ones ending in “0.” Now, I'll admit when I hit 30, I wasn't exactly thrilled. But as the years rolled by, my mindset shifted, and I find myself loving my late 30s.
What's changed, you ask? Well, it's this newfound appreciation for life that I've developed. Life is a precious, fragile thing, and I've been deeply reminded of this truth the past couple of years. So, for my birthday special, I'm sharing five heartfelt prayers with you – prayers for my own growth, for my kids, my husband (whose 40th we won't mention), and my friends.
These aren't just for birthdays; they're wishes for the year ahead, full of hope and purpose. I invite you to listen in, no matter where your own birthday falls. Together, let's embrace the journey, celebrate life, and look forward to the amazing possibilities each new year holds.
4:39 – Prayer of Gratitude
Expressing deep gratitude for life’s blessings Asking for wisdom and guidance through a posture of gratitude Practicing daily gratitude 5:55 – Prayer of Praise
Praising God for who He is, what He’s done, what He’s doing and what He will do Praising God for your growth in mind, body, and spirit Appreciating God’s involvement in the details 6:51 – Prayer of Reflection
Looking back on the journey of life, with all its challenges, successes, regrets, and growth Letting go of regrets and fears that have weighed you down How do I use the regrets and mistakes that I've made to grow and to move forward? 8:04 – Prayer for Wisdom
James 1:5 – God grants wisdom to those who ask Seeking guidance for decisions, steps, and the next right things to do in your life journey Learning from those who have experienced much in life 10:25 – Prayer for Joy and Celebration
Cultivating a joyful spirit and embracing celebration Finding joy in the little things Making the most of opportunities, being present in the moment, and creating meaningful connections FEATURED QUOTES
We are all living on borrowed time. And so a birthday is something to celebrate.
How do I use the regrets that I have or the mistakes that I've made to grow and to move forward?
Wisdom is the prayer that we pray that God always says yes to.

I am so glad to be back! I took three weeks off from the podcast. If you have been here since the beginning, you know that I’ve only taken one week off in the past seven years. It was one of those summers where I gave myself time to rest, and I pulled out some replay episodes.
I planned to come back last week, but I got sick and lost my voice. I am here now and am so excited about what’s on the horizon, especially my first book coming out. This week is a solo episode and we’re talking about figuring out your vision and purpose for your life.
5:18 – Have a vision The Bible says where there is no vision, people perish. Ask yourself, if money were no object, what would you do with the rest of your life? What do you think God put you here to do? 7:34 – Spend time with God Are you regularly spending time with God? Are you reading the Bible? That’s God’s love letter to us. Reading the Bible will help you spot the fake, phony lies. 10:51 – Pray This sounds overly simplistic. But when you are intentional with prayer, things happen. Call on your Heavenly Father. You can pray literally anytime. 13:03 – Be part of a Godly community Take an extra step and invite people into your space and your life. You cannot do this alone. Cultivate a Godly community. FEATURED QUOTES Today, I’m going through the three things that really begin to help you understand what your vision and purpose is for your life.
Ask yourself, if money were no object, what would you do with the rest of your life?
Are you regularly spending time with God?