The AMPLIFY Show Emily Richett

In today’s powerful episode, I’m talking with Melissa Ohden. I recorded this interview seven months ago but was waiting for the right time to share it- and a more honest answer would be that I hesitated to share this because I knew the interview may make some people uncomfortable.  
 
While the topic of the interview may seem political or controversial,  Melissa’s story really is for everyone. It’s the story that often gets overlooked in the whole life and choice debates. It’s one that I didn’t even realize existed until I heard her share it 7-8 years ago at a fundraiser for a pregnancy center in Grand Rapids. 
 
Melissa Ohden is the author of “You Carried Me: A Daughter’s Memoir." The book tells her story from the time she learns she was the survivor of a botched abortion– all the way to finding her biological parents and her journey through anger and shame to eventual forgiveness and empowerment. Ultimately, Melissa’s story is one of survival and love. 
 
Melissa is a master’s level social worker and the founder of a nonprofit that helps other survivors like her.  
 
I know her story has the power to change hearts and to change minds- but that isn’t why I’m sharing it. 
 
I share it because so few others will, especially in the secular media. I share it because Melissa is a beautiful woman who has overcome incredible hardship- she survived a terrible injustice and she now gives a voice to thousands like her who are shunned and ignored by our society and lawmakers. In any other scenario, Melissa would be a woman our culture, and especially other women, cheer for. But that is not the world Melissa – or the rest of us – lives in. 
 
As she so powerfully shared with Congress many times and with us on the show, she is “a woman who has the right to get her own abortion and yet… she didn’t have the right to be born in the first place...”
 
But as you’ll hear, because of a medical mistake, the courage of some incredible nurses, and the grace of God (there’s no denying divine intervention here!), Melissa was born. 
 
I’m honored to share her story with you today. 
 
​​If today’s episode resonates with you, be sure to tag, comment, or message the show’s Instagram page and let us know what you think! You can also grab links to the resources we talk about below.



Mentioned in the episode: Melissa’s Book Melissa’s Website Connect with me: Website Instagram Facebook This episode was first published at emilyrichett.com/episode-74.

In today’s Biz Pep Talk, I’m talking about the trap many mom entrepreneurs find themselves in and how to break free from it: trading time for money. 
 
I share how I transitioned my business from one that required a lot of my physical time and also drained my energy, leaving me without as much to give to my family, to one that gives me a lot of freedom and the ability to scale up or down depending on my season, desire, or needs. 
 
In this episode I cover:
 
The traditional “time for money” business model that leverages growing a team to get more time and why this doesn’t always work for many of us - especially moms who want to pour into their homes & families more than an office/large teams. The mindset shift of viewing money as potentially limitless vs. time, which is completely finite How to make more impact and income by sharing your knowledge or expertise in an online course Simple questions to ask to figure out what kind of course you could create and sell to others The positive ways this business model has impacted my company and my life and how you can get started doing it for yourself The exact method I use to create a course that doesn’t require a ton of time or money before getting your first paid customers (can be found at emilyrichett.com/courseapply) If this episode resonates with you, let me know over on Instagram @theamplifyshow!  
 
 
Mentioned in the episode: Episode 44: 5 Reasons To Launch A Course AMPLIFY Course Launch  Connect with me: Website Instagram- this is the only social media platform where I check messages Facebook - I’m here, but not really :)  This episode was first published at emilyrichett.com/episode-73. 

Today on The AMPLIFY Show, I’m welcoming back Kim John Payne, a counselor, researcher, and the author of eight books about children. 
 
He was one of the first guests on this show, and I highly recommend going back and listening to that interview in Episode 6 if you like this one!
 
Last time, we talked about his 2009 book Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids. 
 
In this interview, we talk about two big topics that have changed for parents since Simplicity Parenting was released, and why he added them as new sections when he rewrote the book in 2019. 
 
We also chat about emotional resiliency - how to manage our own emotions and model that for our kids - which he dives deep into in his upcoming book Emotionally Resilient Tweens and Teens. 
 
And he shares a really troubling condition that more and more kids are experiencing, which is a complete detachment from parents, and the really scary damage that can happen to the parent-child relationship when the parent is too attached to their phone. 
 
If you’re a parent, I think you’re going to love this interview. And be sure to check out some of Kim’s books, which are linked below and available on his website. 



Mentioned in the episode: Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids Being Your Best When Your Kids Are At Their Worst Episode 6: Simplicity Parenting and Entrepreneurship with Kim John Payne  Connect with Kim: Website Podcast Facebook Connect with me: Website Instagram Facebook This episode was first published at emilyrichett.com/episode-72. 

I’m back recording some new episodes after a bit of a break during Lent and my season doing Magnify90– you can hear more about what Magnify90 is just a few episodes back where I interviewed the creator, Kaylene Brown. 
 
In this episode I share about my experience with Lent and Magnify90 during a Michigan winter, my husband recovering from knee surgery, sick kids, you name it. 
 
I also talk with Father Mark-Mary Ames, the author of Habits For Holiness: Small Steps For Making Big Spiritual Progress and a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal. 
 
Fr. Mark-Mary put it beautifully: that we’re all craving to live at a high level, to live passionately, and to be “all in” - and in doing that, we actually want the unwatered truth.
 
We want the real, hard truth, delivered with love & boldness, and that is exactly what you get from Father Mark-Mary in this interview. He also shares some specific steps and strategies for pursuing holiness.
 
​​If today’s episode resonates with you, be sure to tag, comment, or message the show’s Instagram page and let us know what you think! You can also grab links to the resources we talk about below.



Mentioned in the episode: My interview with Kaylene Brown, creator of Magnify90 Habits For Holiness book Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) Connect with CFR on Instagram Connect with me: Website Instagram Facebook This episode was first published at emilyrichett.com/episode-71. 

I’m sure we’ve all wondered what our last words will be, but do you ever think about the possibility that your words might be the last that someone else hears? 
 
In Episode 70 of The AMPLIFY Show (70, can you believe it?), I share my thoughts on the significance of last words, including the unexpected ones that have inspired me to be better, even during the ordinary, small moments. 
 
I’m also sharing an update about this current season I’m in and some of the learning and growth that comes from hard seasons. And I mention a few resources that have been helping and inspiring me, which you can find below!
 
Mentioned in the episode: Hallow App: https://hallow.com/ Every Sacred Sunday: https://everysacredsunday.com/ Fr. Mike Schmitz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fathermikeschmitz/ My interview with Kim John Payne: https://emilyrichett.com/2019/10/17/episode-6-simplicity-parenting-and-entrepreneurship-with-kim-john-payne/  My interview with Adam Cayton-Holland: https://emilyrichett.com/2020/06/11/episode-21-purpose-through-tragedy-comedy-through-life-with-adam-cayton-holland/  
Connect with me: Website Instagram Facebook  
This episode was first published at emilyrichett.com/episode-70.

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Sean McCool about tech-straction and psychological pacifiers. 

Sean is an award-winning marketing consultant, a coach for entrepreneurs over 40, and a fellow podcaster. I enjoyed being on his show, Persuasion by The Pint, a few months ago!
 
In this interview, Sean shares his historical perspective and lessons on technology, why it’s so distracting, and we debate a bit about how much responsibility companies have over technology versus our own responsibility. 
 
Sean does a great job of sharing from historical perspectives. He's a great researcher, and he sent over a podcast syllabus in advance with all the topics he planned to cover - I’ve copied Sean’s notes at the end of this episode's show notes, which you can find at emilyrichett.com/episode-69.
 
Mentioned in the episode: Connect with Sean McCool: https://seanmccool.com/ Sean’s podcast, Persuasion by the Pint: ​​https://persuasionbythepint.com/ C.S. Lewis Article: https://www.godreports.com/2020/05/c-s-lewis-on-facing-fears-of-the-a-bomb-and-pandemics/ My episode about reviving my email newsletter after years: https://emilyrichett.com/2021/10/05/episode-53-biz-pep-talk-send-the-dang-email/  
Connect with me: Website Instagram Facebook  
This episode was first published at emilyrichett.com/episode-69.