Our Time to Rise Krista Gilbert & Alexandra Kuykendall

Are you raising teens or young adults? Then these next two episodes are just for you. In part one of this two part series, we are talking about rising to meet this specific season of parenting.
Therapist, author and parent Kristen Hatton joins us to discuss over and under parenting (and how to not do either), how to live with the uncertainty of not knowing a child’s future and how to avoid the trap of codependency.
We know this is a tricky time in life. We’re WITH you in it! Let’s rise together.
Find Kristen Hatton on her website.
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW Kristen’s new book – Parenting Ahead
Our interview with Curt Thompson – neurologist and expert in the integration of neuroscience and faith
Adam Young, the YOU diagram
Codependent No More
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!

Friendship is intentional. If you want depth to this lifeline of a relationship, you need to make it a priority. In our second part of our conversation around healthy friendships, Krista and Alex continue with their discussion of attributes they've noticed about each other that have strengthened their relationship over three decades.

From humility to honesty a friendship requires trust - often over time. It also requires the kind of commitment that creates safety. But how do we incorporate these building blocks into our everyday interactions? How do we have the kinds of relationships that are both encouraging and challenging us to growth in the very best ways?

We hope this conversation inspires some reflection on your own friendships and encourages you to consider where you want to invest your time and energy this year. We all want friends. We all want to be good friends. We don't often pause to consider how we are doing in this arena. This series is intended to help us do just that.

I few things mentioned
Boundaries and Safe People by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Reflection questions
When was a time a friend believed the best in you? How did that feel?

How well do you keep confidences? Who can you trust to keep things confidential?

Who is within arm's reach that you would like to become better friends with? What can you do with intention this week to reach out to that friend?

 

The podcast co-hosts, Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall, have been friends for over 30 years. Because of this, they have observed qualities and behaviors in each other that make the other person an especially good friend. Podcast listeners often ask about their friendship, but they've never talked about it at length on the show...until now.
Using what they notice in each other as friends, Krista and Alex, are able to talk through what makes a good friend. Some of the things they highlight are personal qualities or character attributes, and some are how those qualities play out practically.
Quality friendship is critical to a healthy and thriving life. If other relationships in your life are changing, or if you simply want to be a better friend, focusing in on the kinds of friendships you are working toward can improve your overall health. It is our time to rise and be the kinds of friends we'd like to have.

A few things mentioned on the show
The Good Life: Lessons From the World's Longest Scientific Study on Happiness

Loving My Actual Neighbor: 7 Practices to Treasure the People Right in Front of You

The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days

 

Questions for reflection
How would you like to be a better friend to others?

How can you give a long-term friendship new priority?

What practical things can you do to ask better questions? Be a more active listener?

How can you be intentional about checking in on a friend's milestones and important moments?

It’s time to reset our homes for fall! Do you want to create warm and cozy for the season? We’ve got a few decorating and styling tips for you in this episode.
Join our conversation with Anh Lin, designer and host of the popular blog Girl and the Word, as we discuss creating places of joy, peace and hope. She also gets very practical, telling us what lightbulbs to get for the best ambient lighting.
Our exterior impacts our interior. Anh is a great example of someone who used design and space to help heal trauma in her life. She helps people discover how they can do the same.
This is a great episode to usher in September this year.
Follow Anh Lin on Instagram
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW Astronaut Star Galaxy Projector Light
3 SPACES TO HAVE IN YOUR HOME: a place of joy (Anh’s plant wall)
a place of peace (Anh’s tea corner)
a place of hope (see Anh’s cross altar)
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What is one change I can make to create more “cozy” in my home this fall? Where is my place of joy, my place of peace and my place of hope? Is there a place of my home that isn’t serving me? What can I do differently in that space? Let us know on Instagram how you liked this episode!

As summer comes to a close we know you are getting back into your fall routines. This likely means you are busier and you still need to make dinner.
The problem is what to make? Amiright?
Krista and Alex talk through their own pantry staples, what they consider a great weeknight meal, and then ten actual dinner ideas that are healthy, taste good, and most of all SIMPLE!
Listen in to get ideas going and find recipe links below. Because dinner should be nourishing for those who eat it and enjoyable for those who make it.
IDEAS, RECIPES AND SUCH MENTIONED ON THE EPISODE: 1. Garlic Spinach Shrimp (with or without Orzo)
2. Killer Flank Steak
3. “Healing Chicken Noodle Soup” from Food Family Style: Simple and Tasty Recipes for Everyday Life by Leigh Vickery
2 Tbs. olive oil
3/4 cup celery, diced
1 – 1 1/4 cups carrots, diced
1 cup yellow onion, diced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 qts. chicken stock
2 1/2 cups wide egg noodles
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 tsp. fresh thyme
Heat oil in large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add celery, carrots, onion, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Slowly pour in chicken stock. Bring to a boil, and add egg noodles. Stir once, and allow noodles to cook 10 minutes (do not overcook). Add chicken and thyme and heat through. Serve hot.
Miracle noodles
4. Lemon Garlic Salmon or Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon
Half-baked harvest salmon bowls recipe
5. Taco Salad (old school, but customizable and really can be yummy also back to what we always have in stock)
6. Sheet pan lemon chicken or sheet pan Kielbasa with roasted vegetables 
7. Mediterranean Plate (olives, hummus, pita, gyros meat or prosciutto, cheeses, crackers, fruit)
Homemade hummus recipe
Trader Joe’s tahini
8. Meatball Soup or meatball Subs or Spag and meatballs
9. The formula = protein + carb + veggies allows for mix and match anything (pork chops, chicken, sausage, steak) (quinoa, potatoes, cous cous, rice, and BREAD), salad / veggies (just don’t forget to use them!)
10. Zucchini boat pizzas (can do homemade pizzas on premade crusts or TJ flatbread pizzas)
BONUS:  CURRY! 
Episode 201 Fall Kitchen Series: The Everyday Table with Abby and April
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: -What are three staples you can add to your pantry that you can always have on hand?
-What are three go-to meals you can use in a pinch?
-What are three new recipes you’d like to try?

The start of the new school year also signals each of us to get back to our routines. Whether we have kids in school or not, it’s a natural time to hit the reset button.
In this episode we talk about getting one percent better, how to make our brain work for us rather than against us, what daily habits matter and how we can cast a vote towards who we want to become.
We learn to boss our brains and make pre-decisions that help us get to where we want to go. If you are wanting to reset your mind and systems this fall, you’ll love this conversation.
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Krista’s Daily Dozen Checklist

Kelly Minter’s podcast episode
Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith’s podcast episode on rest
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE Take some time to journal or talk through these.
What is one area where you are 2 degrees off? How can you course correct in this area? What pre-decisions or pre-decision do you need to make? In what area do you need to boss your brain? What is the one change you want above all others in your routine this fall? 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!