Our Time to Rise in Midlife

Alexandra Kuykendall & Krista Gilbert

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. 11月25日

    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 分鐘
  2. 11月18日

    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 分鐘
  3. 11月11日

    Ep.523: Using the Holidays to Create Memories that Stick with Jessica Smartt

    Do you want to make the most of this holiday season?  Do you want to let go of what doesn't matter and grab onto those things that make real and lasting memories?  So do we.     In this episode, Jessica Smartt joins us to discuss how to create lasting memories during the holidays while balancing traditions and new experiences. We talk about the importance of creating a welcoming home environment, managing expectations, and engaging older kids in meaningful activities.   We also dive into the significance of building sibling relationships and the challenges that come with the holiday season, always landing with both feet on the hope that comes from celebrating together despite difficulties.   If you want to prepare your head and heart for the holiday season, listen in!     Takeaways The holidays are a time to create special memories with family. Strong families are built through intentional moments and connections. It's important to balance time-honored traditions with new experiences. Creating a welcoming home environment can enhance family gatherings. Managing expectations is crucial to enjoying the holiday season. Flexibility is key when planning holiday activities. Engaging older kids in meaningful traditions can strengthen family bonds. Sibling relationships can be nurtured through shared holiday activities. Every family faces challenges during the holidays, and that's okay. Celebrating the holidays is an opportunity to embody hope and joy. Titles Creating Lasting Holiday Memories Balancing Traditions and New Experiences Sound Bites "I want our memories to be special." "What is your howling coyote?" "That's hope. That's beautiful." FIND MORE ABOUT JESSICA SMARTT Jessica Smartt's- Website and Instagram Jessica Smartt's Book- Come on Home A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Jessica's Other Book Memory Making Mom The Light at Tern Rock- QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What would it look like to take a posture of flexibility this holiday season? As Jessica said, God has uniquely wired you with gifts for your family, how can you capitalize on those gifts that you already have to create more of a nest for your family? How can you embody the spirit of the holiday you are celebrating? What is one action step from the podcast you can implement and be specific is it an idea, posture, game or tradition? What is the opportunity God is inviting you into your specific hard 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

    41 分鐘
  4. 11月4日

    Ep.522: Choosing the Opposite in Moments of Tension with Tammy Melchien

    The holidays are approaching, which means conversations around the dinner table. Are you looking forward to them or dreading them? We can prepare mentally and spiritually for those moments, by choosing the opposite of our natural inclinations. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, but often we don't feel like it when our buttons are being pushed. So how? How do we choose the opposite of anger, and gotcha, when that is what our instincts are indicating?   On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to not only consider the opposite, but also practice it. Tammy Melchien, a teaching pastor at Community Christian Church in Chicago, joins us as we consider what it means to be people of peace this holiday season. We do not need to meet anger with anger. We CAN make different choices with the help of the Holy Spirit. We can allow God's goodness to work in us, and therefore through us. Push play to listen in.   FIND MORE ABOUT TAMMY MELCHIEN Tammy's- Website and Instagram   Tammy's Book- Choosing the Opposite   A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Finding Nemo Movie   QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE Where is a place in your life where you could choose the opposite? Is there a person you will see over the holidays that may cause you to respond in a way that is not aligned with who you want to be? How can you prepare now to practice healthy detachment in the moment when you are with them? How can you cultivate becoming more of a person of peace both internally, what you're experiencing in your soul and externally how you respond to other people? 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 imme

    34 分鐘
  5. 10月28日

    Ep.521: The Sacred Act of Letting Go with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall

    Letting go is the name of the game in midlife. We're invited to open our hands, releasing what was and receiving what is. Whether it's a role we once held, a relationship that's shifted, a long-held dream, or even our health, midlife invites deep transformation through loss and renewal. In this episode, Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall explore the sacred art of letting go through the lens of Scripture and grounded psychological insight. They discuss the necessity of grieving what's been lost while making space for new beginnings. Ultimately, letting go isn't a passive act - it's an intentional, faith-filled practice that opens the door to freedom, peace, and deeper trust in God's unfolding story. If you find yourself in a surrendering season, this episode is for you! TAKEAWAYS: It's essential to discern when to end something and when to persevere. Letting go is a gradual process, much like building a muscle. Midlife brings significant changes that require us to let go. Grief is a natural response to change and loss. Surrendering to God's will is a key aspect of faith. Self-regulation is essential in navigating life's transitions. Letting go can be painful, as it often involves loss of identity. Ending well is important for personal growth and closure. Recognizing expectations can help in the letting go process. Scripture provides numerous examples of letting go and trusting God. FEW THINGS MENTIONED Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 John 12:24 Episode 469- Who Am I if? QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE Is there an area where you need to surrender? Thinking of Ecclesiastes 3, what season is changing for you right now? Can you form a statement much like in Ecclesiastes 3 that says there is a season for one thing and a season for another in your life, be specific in how your seasons are changing. What is God inviting you into as you discern your next steps? When have you been blessed by letting go? 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 imme

    47 分鐘
  6. 10月14日

    Ep.520: Navigating Divorce with Jessica kastner

    Jessica Kastner isn't afraid to talk about divorce. Though it's not part of what she anticipated as part of her story, it is and she wants to give women, especially Christian women, the space and place to talk about it. What does it feel like? How do we understand it in terms of faith? How can we move forward in health for ourselves and our children? Midlife is often a time when divorce enters the picture. The changes and stressors that happen can accentuate hurtful patterns. This episode is meant to be a reminder that God meets us in all circumstances. Whether divorce is part of your story or you have friends walking that road, this conversation provides a framework for forging a path toward healing. FIND MORE ABOUT JESSICA KASTNER Jessica Kastner/Blog – Website and Facebook Jessica Kastner Podcast- Free Failing Jessica Kastner Book- Hiding from My Kids in the Prayer Closet FEW THINGS MENTIONED Psalms 91 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 Alex's Book- Seeking Out Goodness QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE How has divorce impacted you? What insights did you gain from this conversation and how will it impact your relationships? How can you be a good friend to someone else that's been impacted by divorce 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 分鐘
  7. 10月7日

    Ep.519: The Questions Get Bigger: Talking About Adoption with Teens and Young Adults with Sherri Crandall

    Most resources around adoption focus on early childhood—when questions are simple and development is more predictable. But what happens when our kids become teens and young adults, and the questions grow deeper? In this episode, we sit down with Sherri Crandall, children's book author and VP of Global Ministries and Leadership Experience for The MomCo, Sherri opens up about her family's path to adoption and the evolving conversations she's having now with her daughter, Lexi, as she steps into adulthood. Together we explore: Why it's important to invite young adults to lead conversations about identity, heritage, and belonging How to honor each child's unique story, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all narrative Practical ways to help adopted young people connect to their cultural roots If you're a parent, family member, or anyone who loves an adopted child, this episode is especially for you. Join us as we dive into what it really means to walk alongside someone through adoption during the teen and young adult years. FIND MORE ABOUT SHERRI CRANDALL Sherri Crandall's – Website and Instagram Sherri Crandall's Book- Lexi the Butterfly QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE If you are not adopted, consider for a moment what it would be like to enter adulthood with no connections to your birth family, what questions would you picture rising up in you? If you are an adoptive parent, how can you let your child or young-adult lead the conversation around adoption? How can you honor your child's heritage and birth family in both your traditions and conversations? What message do you want to make sure they know from you? 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

    38 分鐘
4.8
(滿分 5 顆星)
242 則評分

簡介

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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