This Is Your Nudge

laurasmithauthor
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Welcome to the This Is Your Nudge podcast. I'm your host, Laura L. Smith. Join me as I chat with the most amazing guests about how we can stop making excuses. Step out of some-day and into the promises and goodness God has for us today. This is your nudge.

  1. This is Your Nudge to Reflect on how Easter Can Change Your Life

    2D AGO

    This is Your Nudge to Reflect on how Easter Can Change Your Life

    What if the hardest thing isn’t understanding what Jesus did… but actually receiving it? In this special Easter episode of This Is Your Nudge, I’m slowing down with you to reflect on the weight and beauty of the cross. Not just what it means, but what it cost. Because when we really sit with that, the sacrifice, the love, the intentionality, it changes how we live. I’m walking through the reality that Jesus didn’t just give us a moment or a message… He gave us everything. And sometimes, we treat that gift like it’s too big, too much, or maybe even something we have to earn. But friend, this is your nudge to stop striving and start receiving. What Jesus’ sacrifice actually cost, and why that matters How the cross mirrors the way we give (and struggle to receive) in our own lives The powerful connection between Psalm 22 and Jesus’ crucifixion Why receiving God’s gifts can feel harder than earning them Practical ways to actually live in the abundance Jesus already gave us This episode is an invitation. Not to do more. Not to try harder. But to open your hands and receive what’s already been given. Because Easter isn’t just something we celebrate—it’s something we’re meant to live in. This is your nudge:Stop minimizing the gift.Stop holding it at arm’s length.Stop thinking it’s for someone else. It’s for you. Right now. *This episode is adapted from a chapter in Restore My Soul: the Power and Promise of 30 Psalms by Laura L. Smith copyright 2022, published by Our Daily Bread Publishing Links: Laura L. Smith:  Website https://www.laurasmithauthor.com/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurasmithauthor/ Brave Woman, Mighty God book: https://amzn.to/4qSiW4r Here’s what we talk about in this episode: Nuuly: $30 off your first month, cancel or pause your subscription at any time: https://share.nuuly.com/laura5845

    12 min
  2. This is Your Nudge to Fight the Enemy with Beth Guckenberger

    MAR 16

    This is Your Nudge to Fight the Enemy with Beth Guckenberger

    Ever felt like you’re fighting a battle you can’t quite see? Maybe it shows up as fear, discouragement, anger, or a heaviness that seems to come out of nowhere. If that’s you, this episode is your nudge to start proactively fighting. You’re not powerless. God has given you everything you need to win the battle before it even starts.. Today I’m joined by my friend, Beth Guckenberger. We talk about something many believers experience but don’t always discuss: spiritual warfare. Beth brings wisdom, clarity, and hope as we unpack how to recognize the enemy’s tactics and stand firm in the authority we already have in Christ. This conversation isn’t about living in fear, it’s about living aware, equipped, and confident in the victory Jesus has already won. Beth shares practical ways to prepare your heart and mind through prayer, Scripture, confession, worship, and community so that when spiritual battles come (and they will), you’re ready. The enemy is real—but God is way more powerful. Understanding the enemy’s tactics helps us stay spiritually alert. Fear and anger can often signal deeper spiritual battles happening beneath the surface. We have authority in Christ to stand against the enemy’s schemes. Confession, prayer, and worship are powerful tools for spiritual freedom. Scripture renews our minds and strengthens us in moments of doubt. Beth reminds us the battlefield often starts in our minds—but when we fill our thoughts with truth, worship, and the promises of God, the enemy loses his ground. This episode is your nudge to take down the enemy by standing firm in the power of Jesus. Beth Guckenberger Beth Guckenberger is a speaker, author, and the co-executive director of Back2Back Ministries. Through her ministry and writing, Beth helps believers live with courageous faith and deeper trust in God. She is the author of several books including Reckless Faith, Throw the First Punch, and The Heart Who Wanted to Lasso Thoughts. Beth is passionate about equipping people to recognize spiritual battles and walk confidently in the authority Christ has given them. Beth Guckenberger: https://recklessfaith.com/?v=0b3b97fa6688 Beth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bguckenberger/ Throw the First Punch – Beth Guckenberger https://amzn.to/4pWmMbp The Heart Who Wanted to Lasso Thoughts – Beth Guckenberger https://amzn.to/4pmvcZW The Bible App https://www.bible.com/ Worship music for spiritual warfare and encouragement https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7oX3bprpkQJBpws5TliMP0?si=FazI_xMbTLK82kpAeChmCA Laura L. Smith:  Website https://www.laurasmithauthor.com/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurasmithauthor/ Brave Woman, Mighty God book: https://amzn.to/4qSiW4r Nuuly: $30 off your first month, cancel or pause your subscription at any time: https://share.nuuly.com/laura5845  Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:Resources Mentioned

    46 min
  3. What Does Jesus Have for YOU? with Laura L. Smith

    MAR 6

    What Does Jesus Have for YOU? with Laura L. Smith

    Have you ever felt like someone else is doing it better, faster, or more “important”? That you’re not enough? If that’s you, this episode is your nudge to stop looking around and start leaning into exactly who God created you to be. Today, I’m sharing stories of incredible women in the Bible who didn’t have the same gifts, roles, or callings—but each of them said yes to God in their own unique way. And because of that? Their lives made an eternal impact. We’re talking about women like Mary Magdalene, Martha, Mary, and Lydia each one showing us that bravery doesn’t look one way. It looks like obedience. It looks like trust. It looks like showing up with what you have and letting God do the rest. You don’t need someone else’s calling, you need to be faithful to your assignment. Martha and Mary show us there’s beauty in both serving and sitting at Jesus’ feet. Lydia teaches us that leadership and influence can start right where you are. You don’t have to have it all figured out, just a little faith (even mustard-seed size) is enough. God created you with unique gifts on purpose—not by accident. Obedience often starts small but leads to a big impact. This is your reminder: you don’t need to be more like anyone else. You just need to be available to God. If you’ve been waiting for the right time, or doubting if it even matters—this is it. This is your nudge to say yes. Laura L. Smith:  Website https://www.laurasmithauthor.com/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurasmithauthor/ 99 cent Brave Woman, Mighty God book: https://amzn.to/4kN06ZJ Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:Nuuly: $30 off your first month, cancel or pause your subscription at any time: https://share.nuuly.com/laura5845

    25 min
  4. This is Your Nudge to choose HOPE with Gloria Umanah

    FEB 16

    This is Your Nudge to choose HOPE with Gloria Umanah

    If you're feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the world or wondering how to do something that matters, this episode is your nudge to choose hope and take action to share that hope with others. I’m honored to sit down with Gloria Umanah, a visionary leader, L'Oréal Women of Worth honoree, and the creative force behind Hope Booth. Gloria shares her powerful story of stepping out of despair and into purpose, the spark that started Hope Booth, and how a simple, immersive moment of truth and love can completely shift someone’s trajectory. We talk about what hope really is, not just wishful thinking, but movement toward healing and light. Gloria opens up about how suffering can become soil for something beautiful, how community fuels our mental health, and how faith gives hope its staying power. This isn’t just a conversation, it's a wake-up call to grab onto the hope Jesus offers… and to live with intention, margin, and eyes wide open to those around us. Hope is not passive, it’s action-oriented and rooted in belief. Suffering doesn’t cancel hope, it often deepens it. Being present and living with margin allows us to notice and serve others. Faith in Jesus fuels sustainable hope when everything else feels shaky. Healthy community is essential for healing and mental wellness. Celebrating the small wins in dark places matters. You don’t have to fix everything, you just need to bring hope where you are. Gloria Umanah is the founder and executive director of The Ex-Nihilo Collective, visionary behind Hope Booth, and an internationally recognized Christian spoken word artist and communicator based in Atlanta. She’s passionate about seeing a generation awakened to the freedom found in Christ and is dedicated to building creative, hope-filled experiences that spark healing and connection. Links: Laura L. Smith: Laura L. Smith: https://www.laurasmithauthor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/laurasmithauthor/ Brave Woman, Mighty God book https://amzn.to/4qSiW4r Nuuly: $30 off your first month, cancel or pause your subscription at any time: https://share.nuuly.com/laura5845  Website Instagram   Brave Woman, Mighty God book Gloria Umanah: https://www.gloriaumanah.com/ Donate to HOPE booths: https://hopebooth.org/partner Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:About Gloria Umanah:

    47 min
  5. This is Your Nudge to…love someone in recovery with Caroline Beidler

    FEB 2

    This is Your Nudge to…love someone in recovery with Caroline Beidler

    Maybe someone you love is walking through recovery, maybe you’re that someone. Or maybe you just want to better understand addiction, healing, and what real support looks like so you can love others well. This episode is for you. I’m joined by compassionate and kind dear friend, Caroline Beidler, a recovery advocate, author, and community-builder. Together, we talk about the real journey of recovery—not just sobriety, but the process of becoming whole again. We explore how identity, community, faith, and love all play a part in the healing journey. Caroline opens up about how we can support those in recovery without losing ourselves in the process. She gives practical insight on navigating social events, setting boundaries, and how mocktails (yes, really!) can help create inclusive spaces for everyone. Most of all, she reminds us that addiction is not a moral failing—it’s a place where compassion is desperately needed. Recovery is about more than sobriety—it’s about building a meaningful, joyful life. You can support someone in recovery and take care of your own emotional health. Boundaries are not just helpful—they’re necessary. Talking openly about addiction reduces shame and creates healing spaces. Milestones in recovery deserve to be celebrated, big and small. Addiction isn’t a choice, and approaching it with grace changes everything. Recovery isn’t just possible, it can be beautiful. Whether you’re personally impacted by addiction or just want to learn how to love better, this episode is your nudge to lean in with open hands and a compassionate heart. Caroline Beidler, is an author, speaker, and the Managing Editor of Recovery.com. Her own lived experience in addiction, mental health, and trauma recovery inspires her to help others find recovery in all its varying forms. She has built a global network of recovery supporters. Caroline lives in Eastern Tennessee with her husband and her twins where she enjoys hiking in the mountains and building up her community’s local recovery ministry. Links:  Laura L. Smith: Laura L. Smith: https://www.laurasmithauthor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/laurasmithauthor/ Brave Woman, Mighty God book https://amzn.to/4qSiW4r Nuuly: $30 off your first month, cancel or pause your subscription at any time: https://share.nuuly.com/laura5845  Website Instagram   Brave Woman, Mighty God book Caroline Beidler: https://www.carolinebeidler.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/carolinebeidler_official/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinebeidlermsw When You Love Someone in Recovery. book:https://amzn.to/4gm1bWe Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:About Caroline Beidler:

    44 min
  6. This is Your Nudge to…untangle shame with Dr. Zoe Shaw

    JAN 19

    This is Your Nudge to…untangle shame with Dr. Zoe Shaw

    If shame has ever whispered that you're not enough, or made you feel like hiding parts of your story, this episode is for you. My conversation with the wise and compassionate Dr. Zoe Shaw is your gentle, firm nudge to stop letting shame call the shots in your life. Together, we unpack the difference between guilt and shame (spoiler: one can be helpful, the other absolutely isn't). We also talk about how shame sneaks into our relationships, decisions, and identity. Dr. Zoe, a licensed psychotherapist and author. She shares powerful insight on what shame really is, where it comes from, and how we can begin to untangle it, through awareness, curiosity, movement, and grace. We talk about what healing looks like when shame has been wrapped around us for years, and why self-forgiveness and setting healthy boundaries are essential for growth. There’s no quick fix, but there is hope. Shame says “I am wrong.” Guilt says “I did something wrong.” There’s a big difference. Shame thrives in secrecy. Naming it is the first step to healing. Movement matters—our bodies store emotional pain and need release too. Setting boundaries is not selfish, it’s self-care. Curiosity over condemnation leads to healing. If you’ve been carrying shame or battling the lies it tells you, this episode is a reminder that you’re not stuck. God’s healing is real, and your healing can begin today. Dr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist, speaker, and author with over 20 years of experience helping women untangle shame, co-dependency, and perfectionism. She's a mom of five (two still at home, one with special needs), a former UCLA athlete, and a bold truth-teller with a tender heart. Her passion is helping women step into the freedom and healthy love Jesus offers.  Make sure to follow This Is Your Nudge so you don’t miss a single episode of truth, healing, and the gentle push you need to step into the life God has for you. Links:  Laura L. Smith: Laura L. Smith: https://www.laurasmithauthor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/laurasmithauthor/ Brave Woman, Mighty God book https://amzn.to/4qSiW4r Nuuly: $30 off your first month, cancel or pause your subscription at any time: https://share.nuuly.com/laura5845  Website Instagram   Brave Woman, Mighty God book Dr. Zoe Shaw: https://drzoeshaw.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drzoeshaw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrZoeShaw/ Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@dr.zoeshawtalks/videos Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/drzoeshaw/ Stronger in the Difficult Places. book: https://amzn.to/4nTHyse Free resources:  Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™: Opt in : https://dr-zoe-shaw-enterprises.kit.com/7247f0bc86 Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places  https://dr-zoe-shaw-enterprises.kit.com/a8adebb5af

    43 min
  7. This is Your Nudge to…love your neighbor Jenni Wong Clayville

    JAN 5

    This is Your Nudge to…love your neighbor Jenni Wong Clayville

    Does Jesus’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” feel challenging in a world that feels so divided? If you’ve ever struggled with how to love people who think, live, or believe differently than you do, this episode is your nudge to love your neighbor. I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Jenni Wong-Clayvillel, a pastor, leader, foodie, and all-around firecracker of encouragement. Together, we talk about what it means to live out the greatest commandment, to love God and love others. And not just the easy people. But the complicated ones. The different ones. The people who challenge us to grow. From her years in ministry Jenni shares real-life, practical ways to listen better, stay curious, and build bridges instead of barriers. We talk about how community shapes us, how prayer softens even the hardest relationships, and how God's kingdom is more diverse than we may realize. Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a choice we make, even when it’s hard. Curiosity and questions are powerful tools for understanding others. Listening well means setting aside assumptions and truly being present. Diversity reveals more of God’s beauty and design. Praying for those we struggle to love can be transformational. Loving others well often means showing up, again and again. Jenni’s wisdom, humor, and love for Jesus will inspire you to live more open-hearted and intentionally connected. If you’re ready to love more like Jesus, this is your nudge. Jenni has been in full-time ministry since 2001, serving as a pastor in Portland, Texas, Oklahoma, and now the Washington DC area, where she and her husband Brian recently launched NOVA Community Church. She’s a proud boy-mom to Chance and Paxton, an unpretentious foodie, a very serious coffee snob, a mediocre CrossFitter, and a self-proclaimed comedienne. Her passion for people and her heart for God shine through in every conversation. Follow This Is Your Nudge to keep getting those little pushes that remind you, you’re not meant to stay stuck. You’re called to step forward in love, faith, and purpose today. Links: Laura L. Smith: https://www.laurasmithauthor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/laurasmithauthor/ Brave Woman, Mighty God book https://amzn.to/4rpX5lk Nuuly: $30 off your first month, cancel or pause your subscription at any time: https://share.nuuly.com/laura5845  Jenni Wong-Clayville: https://www.instagram.com/jclayville/reels/?hl=en https://www.propelwomen.org/content/soulhealthy-leadership/gjebmn https://novacommunity.church/who-we-are

    46 min
  8. This is Your Nudge to Let Go With Alexandra Hoover

    12/15/2025

    This is Your Nudge to Let Go With Alexandra Hoover

    Healing can be heavy. If you've been walking through pain, carrying offense, or wrestling with how to move forward, this episode is for you. This conversation with t Alexandra Hoover is your nudge to stop carrying the hurt alone and to step into the healing God is offering. Alexandra and I talk openly about trauma, offense, and the deep work of healing. We explore how acknowledging pain is not weakness but the first step toward wholeness. We also dive into what forgiveness really means (and what it doesn't), the importance of vulnerability, and how our identity in Christ gives us the courage to face what hurts. With grace and wisdom, Alexandra reminds us that God doesn’t want us to shove down our pain or mask it with distractions. He wants to walk through it with us—toward freedom. Healing starts when we name and acknowledge our pain. Offense is a weight we can choose to carry—or release to God. Vulnerability is not weakness; it's a doorway to healing. Forgiveness isn’t condoning, it’s releasing. When we don’t forgive, we’re the ones held hostage. We are not our trauma. We are beloved daughters of the King. Faith is essential in the journey to healing. You are not alone, and healing is possible. This is your nudge to face what’s been weighing you down and let God begin the healing work. You don’t have to figure it out all at once—you just have to say yes to the next step. Alexandra Hoover is a compassionate writer, speaker, and author of Eyes Up and Without Wavering. A proud Latina, she’s committed to helping people navigate life’s pain with hope and faith. She serves her local church, is pursuing a master’s degree in women and theology at Northern Seminary, and somehow juggles it all while being a wife and mom of three. You can find her at alexandravhoover.com or on Instagram @alexandravhoover.  Follow This Is Your Nudge so you never miss a moment of clarity, courage, or hope—and so you’re always reminded: you don’t have to stay stuck. There’s healing, and there’s joy ahead. Links: Laura L. Smith: https://www.laurasmithauthor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/laurasmithauthor/ Brave Woman, Mighty God book https://amzn.to/4rpX5lk Nuuly: $30 off your first month, cancel or pause your subscription at any time: https://share.nuuly.com/laura5845  Alexandra Hoover: https://www.alexandravhoover.com/ You Can Let Go book: https://amzn.to/48yup1U Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:About Alexandra Hoover:

    42 min
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About

Welcome to the This Is Your Nudge podcast. I'm your host, Laura L. Smith. Join me as I chat with the most amazing guests about how we can stop making excuses. Step out of some-day and into the promises and goodness God has for us today. This is your nudge.

Information

  • Creator
    laurasmithauthor
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © laurasmithauthor
  • Show Website
    This Is Your Nudge

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