The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

My guest for The Happy Hour #335 is Mary Marantz. Mary is the author of the book “Dirt” about growing up in a single wide trailer in West Virginia before going on to Yale. She is also the host of The Mary Marantz Show. In today’s episode, Mary talks about reconciling her childhood and the pressure she put on herself to achieve, as well as what it’s been like to walk through infertility. She also dives into the journey that inspired her book: facing the shame that she carried from her past, and coming to a place of embracing it as a huge part of the story God is writing for her. I love when she says “The story that you have was never a shackle. It was never this thing holding you back and disqualifying you from things before you even begin. It’s getting to this place where you actually not only embrace the story, but you’re willing to put it out front and center.” I love that so much. For the full summary and show links, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #334 is J.D. Greear. J.D. Greear is currently serving as the 62nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention and is pastor of one of the fastest-growing churches in North America, The Summit Church, which is located in Raleigh-Durham, N. C. In this episode, we talk about the challenge of parenting teenagers as we get ready to launch them into the world, and how to lead Christ-followers to a state of unity without uniformity as we face sin and injustice. He also dives into a very important topic about the problem with teaching children to ask Jesus into their hearts, and what coming to salvation really looks like. I definitely used those terms in the past as a parent and was also taught similarly to myself growing up. But I love so much when pastor J.D. says, “Conversion is a posture you begin to take for the finished work of Christ. You assume that posture in a moment. You hold that posture for a lifetime.” For the full summary and show links, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #333 is Ian Morgan Cron. Ian Morgan Cron is a psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, and host of the popular podcast, Typology. He's also the author of the best-selling book, The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery. I had the honor of being a guest on Ian’s Typology podcast recently, and I am so thankful he is joining me on The Happy Hour today! One thing I really loved that he shares is how to be better consumers of people’s views even when we don’t know or understand how they see the world. It’s easy to make a quick judgment and villainize one another for our differences, but this is where the beauty of self-awareness steps in. I love when he says, “It’s a big mistake to think that your way of seeing the world is normal and that any other view is abnormal. It’s even worse to think, without any self-interrogation, that your way of seeing the world is right and the only right way of seeing the world.” I don’t know about you, but that was definitely convicting for me. For the full summary and show links, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #332 is Alena Pitts. At just 16-years-old, Alena is an actress, singer, writer and speaker, most known for her role in the movie War Room. In today's episode, Alena tells us what it was like to walk-through her biggest challenge: unexpectedly losing her mom and how it became bearable solely because of Jesus. As a fellow enneagram six, I definitely relate to Alena in a lot of ways, especially worst case scenarios. But I love so much when Alena says, “What I had imagined as the worst case scenario was the worst case scenario at one point in my life. And I survived.” I am consistently impressed by Alena’s wisdom and strength at such a young age, and I am always cheering her on as a role model for Christian girls. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

On today’s show my friends Amy Wolff and Eugene Cho join me. We talk about how to engage in the nuance of political policies, and being careful not to dehumanize those we disagree with. I really value the way Amy and Eugene pursue unity in Christ above all, and how they allow that truth to shape the way they engage in these conversations. For the full episode and show links, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #331 is Mandisa! For the few people who may be unfamiliar with her, Mandisa is a gospel and contemporary Christian recording artist. She came to the spotlight on the fifth season of American Idol, and was given an incredible opportunity to share publicly about her faith. In this episode, Mandisa talks about learning how to lovingly disagree with one another and washing the feet of our enemies. Mandisa also gets vulnerable about her journey to pursuing mental and physical health by healing from depression and working through childhood wounds. She shares about times where she was trapped in a deep, emotional pit, and how she has learned to find her comfort in Christ rather than temporary things. I love when she says “I used to say that God doesn’t call us to comfort, but now I actually believe He does. He calls us to His comfort. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter.” For the full summary and show links, click the link below! Text YOUBEYOU to 33777 Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #330 is Karen Swallow Prior. Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In today’s episode, Karen talks about her experience of going from a private person to a public person, the stigmas and baggage that come with remaining a southern baptist, and some of the downsides of having a visible platform. She also gets vulnerable about some of the recent challenges she is facing around leaving her employer of 21 years, and the corruption of power that we see within the evangelical world. For the full summary and show links, click the link below! Text YOUBEYOU to 33777 Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

Surprise! We have a Monday episode for you! On today’s show my friends Kathryn Freeman and Scott Sauls join me. You will enjoy hearing from both of them as we talk about things like how to engage in policy work that may not fully align with our Christian worldview, and how to fill a hostile world with gentleness. We jump right into these conversations and our hope is that you would be encouraged to view every issue through the lens of God’s word. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #329 is Lori Champion. Lori and her husband, Joe, co-founded Celebration Church in Austin, TX. In today’s episode, Lori dives into being a woman in church leadership, and the journey she walked through beforehand of feeling trapped in the desert and incapable of being used by God. It’s easy to feel lost or forgotten in the Lord’s plan for our lives, especially when we know that we’ve been equipped for so much more than we’re currently doing, or more than our culture has told us. But I love so much when Lori says, “God has a way to find you. He’s not going to waste you.” I don’t know if you needed that reminder today, but if you ever feel like God has forgotten to use you, remember His promises in the desert. He is not going to waste you. For the full summary and show links, click the link below! Text YOUBEYOU to 33777 Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #328 is Dr. Derwin Gray. Dr. Derwin L. Gray is the lead pastor of Transformation Church in South Carolina. In today's episode, Pastor Derwin dives into what it really looks like to find true happiness in the midst of tragedy and sin. I love when he says, “The happiness that Jesus wants to give us is not a happiness that’s based on our circumstances. The happiness that Jesus wants to give to us is a happiness of becoming who we were meant to be.” That is such an important reminder. It is easy to think that we will be happy if everything in our life is in line with what the world deems is successful. Pastor Derwin reminds us that happiness is not found in those worldly successes, but rather in fully stepping into our role as Christ followers, and falling deeply in love with who Jesus is. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #327 is Kim Walker-Smith. I definitely had a fan-girl moment the first time I met Kim in person, and I am so happy she is joining us on the podcast today! In this episode, Kim talks about the importance of finding our identity in more than just what we do, the process of writing and recording her album, and her testimony of coming to know Christ. Kim also dives heavily into how much church and leading worship has changed as a result of COVID-19, and what living a life of worship truly means. She is so transparent about how easy it can be for churches and leaders to hide behind the so-called “production” of it all. I love when she says, “When you take it all away, do you still have Jesus to offer?” That is such an important question to ask. I’m so grateful for Kim’s transparency and faithfulness to rooting her identity in what Christ has done, and who He is. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #326 is….ME! My sweet husband, Aaron, is the host for today’s show and we talk all about my new book, You Be You! In today’s episode, we talk about the meaning of You Be You through a biblical and godly lens, and even dish out on some of the pros and cons of having a public platform. We also talk about what it looks like to live a life that is committed to what’s been placed in front of us, while also living open-handed to what God may have for us. I’ve said it time and time again: I want women to really believe that they matter right where they are and the voice that God’s put in them. It’s not less than mine because I speak into a microphone every week. It’s just different, and it matters. When you read this book, I truly pray that it is a reminder for what has always been true - that God has touched you and equipped you for a life of glorifying Him exactly where you are. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #325 is Andrew Peterson. Some of you may know Andrew as simply a musician or artist, which is true. But it is much deeper than that. For more than twenty years now, Andrew has been about the business of quietly changing lives in four-minute increments. In today’s episode, Andrew shares about his experience growing up as a pastor’s kid and nominal Christian, coming face to face with childhood wounds, and dismantling the superiority of “creatives” by redefining its meaning. Andrew also went into detail about what it’s like transitioning from parenting your children to stepping into friendship with them. This was a conversation I didn’t know I needed, but I’m so thankful it happened. I hope you walk away from this episode feeling less alone and more understood. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #324 is Melissa Zaldivar. Melissa is a writer, podcast host and author. Melissa has such an important message for listeners and I’m so excited for you to hear it. She tells us about the importance of knowing the meaning of scripture and translations, and that good theology is the lens to the way we view the world. She also talks in depth about how we learn through loss, and the way God meets us before the victories just as much as He does after the victories. For the full summary and show links, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guests for The Happy Hour #323 are Stevie & Sazan Hendrix. This power couple have become some of my dearest friends, and they are actually the very first couple to be interviewed together on The Happy Hour! Stevie & Sazan work in the content creation space, and have built their own personal brand through YouTube, Instagram, podcasts and blogs. In today’s episode, they talk about how this 2020 season has forced them to slow down, shifting their business from makeup/beauty to a motivational platform, and feeling led to leave LA behind. For the full summary, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #322 is Brooke Ligertwood. Brooke is a songwriter, musician, producer and head of worship for Hillsong Worship. In today's episode, we talk about what repentance and revival looks like in 2020 through everything happening in this season of life. It’s no secret that we’ve all been unexpectedly stripped of our systems and patterns, and possibly came to realize that these things were idols in our lives. I love when Brooke says, “We need to be prepared to have our hands open and our hearts open to stop clinging to our systems.” For the full summary, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #321 is the ever-so-talented musical artist, Lecrae. Apart from being a Grammy award winning artist, Lecrae is an author, actor, and founder of the Christian hip-hop music label, Reach Records. Lecrae also recently released an album called Restoration, and has a book called I Am Restored that is set to release next month! In this episode, we talk about being an artist in the age of social media, racism in the church, and overcoming depression. For the full summary, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #319 is Stephanie May Wilson. Stephanie is known as the go-to guide for 20 & 30-something women as they navigate their most important relationships. In this episode, Stephanie shares about her journey with unexplained infertility and IVF, trusting the character of God while walking through difficult seasons, and her thankfulness for having the opportunity to walk others through those same experiences once she’s on the other side of them. I love when she says “When we go through something hard, that experience transforms us into the person that is uniquely qualified to help someone else through that exact thing.” What a great reminder that is. I hope you walk away with the steady truth that God truly knows what is good for His children. For the full summary and show links, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #318 is Caitlin Crosby. Caitlin Crosby is the founder and CEO of The Giving Keys, an organization that engraves inspirational words as a way to pay it forward and encourage people who need words of truth. In today’s episode, Caitlin dives into her fight with mental health and normalizing failure as part of being human. She says, “My mind isn’t going to tell me what to think. I’m going to tell my mind what to think.” It is such a good reminder to know that we don’t have to give into the lies we tell ourselves, but instead take it captive and pour truth over it. For the full summary, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #317 is Kayla Stoecklein. In August of 2018, Kayla lost her husband, Andrew—pastor of Inland Hills Church in Chino, California—to suicide. In the wake of the tragedy, she embarked on a brave journey to better understand his harrowing battle with mental illness and, ultimately, to overcome the stigma of suicide. She also has a book releasing on September 8th called Fear Gone Wild. For the full summary and details on pre-ordering Kayla's book, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #316 is Anna Golden. Anna is a 24-year-old worship pastor at Relentless Church in Greenville, South Carolina. In today’s episode, Anna talks about what it was like growing up as a show-biz kid in a creative family, navigating leading worship as a young person, and some of the stigmas surrounding being a single worship pastor. Anna also opens up about the level of responsibility that comes with leading worship for a congregation, and the importance of accountability from someone who knows you deeply. I love when she says, “being a worship leader is actually 10% of what you do on-stage and 90% of what you do off-stage.” For the full summary, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #315 is Amy Julia Becker. Amy Julia is such an advocate for social justice, and we dive into how her experience as a mother to a child with down syndrome really opened her eyes to the privilege she has had in her life. For full summary, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #314 is Rachel Gilson. In today’s episode, we talk about Rachel growing up in a non-religious home, finding Christ in the midst of same-sex attraction, and ways that the church can come alongside the LGBTQ+ community. Rachel also tells us about the challenge of trusting God even when we don’t understand, and how this affects our pursuit of self-desires. I love so much how she worded it by saying, “We cannot trust in the most tender places and the riskiest places unless the person asking us is someone who has proven beyond a doubt that they are trustworthy.” For full summary, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #313 is Eugene Cho. Eugene is the President and CEO of Bread for the World, a Christian advocacy organization urging our nation’s decision-makers to end hunger at home and abroad. He is also the founder/visionary of One Day’s Wages, as well as the founder and former Senior Pastor of Quest Church. Eugene lives in Seattle with his wife of 24 years and three children. He released a book earlier this year called Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging Politics. Friends, I am beyond excited to share this episode with you. It’s thought-provoking, encouraging, and challenging which is the perfect blend for a great conversation. Eugene talks about fighting against the stereotypes surrounding poverty in the U.S., starting a new job and leaving his home of Seattle behind, and engaging in civic duty beyond voting. He also gets into the effects of political tension in our nation and how we can often place our allegiance to political parties above the kingdom of God. Division is never easy or light, but I love it when Eugene says, “To be a Christ-follower is to be faithful amid tension.” Wow. I know the world sometimes feels like it’s crumbling, but I’m so thankful for Eugene’s reminder that we are called to love God and love people through the tension. I hope you walk away from this conversation feeling as encouraged as I did. To connect more about Jamie’s book, text YOUBEYOU to 33777. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #312 is Pastor Mike Todd. Mike Todd is the lead pastor of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pastor Mike and his wife, Natalie, have been married since 2010 and live in Tulsa along with their three beautiful children: Isabella, Michael Jr., and Ava, affectionately known as “The Todd Squad”. Pastor Mike is also the author of the book Relationship Goals, which ended up becoming a New York Times bestseller. His driving passion is representing God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ. Friends, Pastor Mike is the real deal and I could not be more excited that he is joining us on the podcast today. In this episode, we talk about finding the pace of grace, being faithful stewards of what God has given us, and the story of how Mike went from being the sound guy to the lead pastor at Transformation Church. Pastor Mike also opens up about being transparent in our struggles in order to find healing in Christ and community, more specifically within the topic of pornography. He talks about how people often view pastors as being inhuman, but we need to be aware that all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God, and in order to be transformed, we need to be transparent. I love when he says, “Honesty is telling the truth when somebody asks you. Transparency is offering up your truth.” It’s scary to think about how we might be perceived, but Pastor Mike reminds us that our freedom is so much more valuable than the opinions of others. I hope this conversation helps lead you closer to finding freedom in Christ from whatever struggles you are facing today. To connect more about Jamie’s book, text YOUBEYOU to 33777. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #311 is Sophie Hudson. Sophie has been a long time guest on the podcast and we are so happy to have her back for the fourth time! She currently lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband and son. Sophie is the co-host of The Big Boo Cast and author of five books, including her most recent release Stand All The Way Up: Stories of Staying In It When You Want to Burn It All Down. Friends, Sophie is truly such a joy to talk to and I am always so encouraged by her heart and honesty. In this episode, we talk about everything from our life-changing safari in Kenya to navigating trauma in the midst of the world’s unusual circumstances. Sophie also dives into finding encouragement in a world where you feel like you want to burn it all down. As the Enneagram 9 that she is, Sophie is a natural peacemaker. Like most of us, conflict feels very disruptive to her, and yet it has become our norm. She talks about the hope of knowing that Jesus operates in the middle of conflict and fear and reminds us that “When He is with us in the boat, He will get us to the other side.” When all we want to do is scream at the waves, Jesus has always been the calm that we need. I hope this conversation reminds you of the truth that Jesus is and always will be steady and sure. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #310 is Sam Collier. Today’s episode is a special one because Sam is our very first official male guest on The Happy Hour and we are so excited to have him! Sam is a pastor, author, speaker, and host of the TV Show/Radio-Podcast A Greater Story with Sam Collier. He also released a book yesterday called A Greater Story: My Rescue, Your Purpose, and Our Place in God’s Plan. In today’s episode, Sam and I talk about meeting his biological family at the age of 25, trading music for ministry, and finding our purpose in the mess of life. Sam also dives into laying down our desires for God’s glory, and how he never planned to do ministry, write a book, or share about his adoption story. I love when he shares about the moment God said to him, “I need to strip you of your ‘desires’...would you be willing to trade your desires for mine, and your dreams for mine?” Y’all, what a great reminder that is! Laying down our desires in order to build a new identity and pursue God’s purpose for our lives. To read more of Sam’s encouraging words, be sure to check out his book, A Greater Story: My Rescue, Your Purpose, and Our Place in God’s Plan. Want to connect more about Jamie’s book? Text YOUBEYOU to 33777. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for Happy Hour #309 is Morgan Harper Nichols. Morgan is a popular Instagram poet and artist who has created her life’s work around the stories of others. Each poem she shares is created in response to the personal stories submitted by her friends and followers. Her creativity and gifted artwork seems to express exactly what I am feeling, and I know so many of you have felt the same way. Friends, I have been a long time admirer of Morgan for so many reasons and I am so excited to share our conversation with you today. In this episode, we talk about her upbringing in a family of creatives, how she’s pursuing community in 2020, and how her love for music led her to poetry. We also dove into using art for a purpose, and how she has been learning to see her art as a gift to others rather than something she feels required to create. She says “What I love about gifts is that it’s not necessarily about the talent or perfection of it. It’s about the heart of the person that gave it to you wanting to share their heart with you.” As creatives, it’s easy for us to feel the pressure to constantly put out our best work. Morgan reminds us that sometimes we create art that resonates with people so much, even when we think it’s not our best. I hope you walk away feeling encouraged by her reminder that God can truly use what we think is unusable to meet people where they’re at. I’m so thankful for Morgan sharing her gift of words with us today! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

The Happy Hour #308 is a special one! You’ve probably heard me mention our Patreon Party by now, but you might not be so sure if you really want to join. That’s why we decided to share with you some of our favorite episodes from our Patreon Party for the past three weeks! We’ve shared from our marriage mini-series, After the Show, and now you’re getting a sneak peek at UNPlugged: LIVE with the Iveys! This episode, like every other episode of UNPlugged, gets a little wild. You truly never know what you’re going to get with this crew! Aaron, Story, Lyndsey, and myself dive into a Q+A section of the show where we answer your questions from the chat like where we want to go as soon as quarantine is over -- spoiler alert: Story said MEXICO! A girl after my own heart. We chat about all of the silly things in quarantine like whether our kids our arguing more or less being home all the time, how I haven’t taken my Birkenstocks off in 15 weeks, what it will be like to eat at a restaurant someday, and how things actually get done around Ivey Media. More than anything, this episode is a BLAST! I hope you have even half as much fun listening as we have recording it for our Patreon Party! To learn more about Patreon and how you can join check out jamieivey.com/patreon! When you sign up for our $6 month VIP party membership, you get weekly Patreon versions of The Happy Hour shows, a monthly After the Show with me and a guest answering your questions, and the monthly UNplugged: LIVE with the Iveys! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! My guest for today’s episode is Preston Perry! Preston is a spoken word poet, father, apologist, and is married to a friend of the show, Jackie Hill-Perry. In this episode, Preston and I dive into his last 10 years. We chat about meeting Jackie for the first time at a poetry event and their subsequent friendships, how Preston was exposed to the Gospel and led to Christ by the radical transformation in his friend Gary’s life, and how he is carrying on that legacy as a father to his girls. Preston also shares about how he and Jackie are trying to avoid the burnout with their kids that can happen growing up in a Christian home. He says, “We don’t want to hand our kids our religion, we want to display it for them, allow them the free-will that God gave them...and give them space to seek God.” Friends, Preston is wise beyond his years and I’m so grateful for the ways in which he defends the faith “with gentleness and respect” and continues to be vulnerable in his relationships and with us today. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

Today’s episode is the second in a series of three episodes we’re sharing with you from our Patreon Party! It’s from a series called After the Show where we invite our Patreon listeners to submit their questions about one of the Happy Hour episodes and it is one of my very favorite parts of the Patreon Party. Today’s episode is with my real life friend, Dr. Andrea Holman. Andrea serves as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Huston-Tillotson University where she teaches, conducts research, and gives talks and trainings around the city about race, racism and privilege and their impact on interpersonal relations. She also uses her expertise to assist foster/adoptive parents pursuing interracial adoption through the local foster agency through which she and her husband are currently licensed foster parents. In this episode, Lyndsey and I get to talk with Andrea about some of the questions you guys had surrounding foster care, advocacy, and beauty standards in the church, just to name a few. We talk about the goal of fostering to always be reunification, how important it is to name our pride, and humanize the parents while allowing humility to be the bridge between birth-families and foster-families. Andrea shares with us so transparently about the weight of holding space for herself and other people of color in predominantly white spaces and the impact it can have if it’s not balanced with life-giving people and events. I love the advice Andrea communicates when we were talking about how white women can approach interpersonal relationships and advocacy. She says, “rather than making the interaction about you, because that’s what privilege allows you to do, make it about them. See them, ask them, be okay holding and maintaining your own emotional response, because that is work for the person of color to hold your emotional response.” Friends, I am so grateful for Andrea, her experience, expertise, and the time she shared with us today! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to head over to our Patreon Party and check out more of what we have going on there, including a brand new show I’m launching with Aaron called On the Other Side. It’s going to be a good time! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! My guest for today’s episode is Dr. Russel Moore! Russell Moore is president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the moral and public policy agency of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. Dr. Moore is the author of several books, including Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel and The Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home. A native Mississippian, he and his wife Maria are the parents of five sons. At the beginning of today’s episode, Dr. Moore and I chat about his past 10 years and I’m not exaggerating when I say that I needed a nap after hearing all of the things he has walked through and accomplished. In 2010 alone, he and Maria had four boys and a fifth on the way. He was the Chief Academic Officer at a theological seminary, a full-time pastor, and was teaching a full load of classes! That’s a lot. We then got to chat about how he managed stress through those seasons and how hindsight really is 20/20. We also talk about the ERLC and their commission to equip churches and families making ethical and moral decisions, which can be anything from adoption and foster care to end of life hospitalization issues and everything in between. Dr. Moore shares with us how relevant and important this is right now as the world is wrestling with racial injustice, especially within the church. I loved his response when I asked him where the hope is in this season. He says, “the hope in it is that you have more people across the board...seeing that this is a problem and that this has a set of biblical answers and a way that the bible forms our consciences and intuitions to be able to bear one another's burdens.” Friends, I am so grateful for Dr. Moore’s leadership -- especially right now as we’re all wading through rough waters. I hope today’s episode was as enlightening and encouraging for you as it was for me! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

The Happy Hour #306 is a special one! You’ve probably heard me mention our Patreon Party by now, but you might not be so sure if you really want to join. That’s why we decided to share with you some of our favorite episodes from our Patreon Party for the next three weeks! In this episode, you will hear a conversation that my boo, Aaron and I had with the enneagram fairy godmother, Susanne Stabile, and her “arm candy” husband, Joe Stabile. Suzanne is a highly sought after speaker and teacher, known for her engaging laugh, personal vulnerability and creative approach to Enneagram instruction. She is the co-author The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self Discovery with Ian Cron and she followed that with her second best seller, The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships. Reverend Joe Stabile is a United Methodist Church pastor as well as Co-Founder in the Trinity Ministry, in Dallas, Texas. In our time together, the four of us talk about everything from family night and the enneagram to building marriages and navigating the world of church leadership. Joe shares about how he entered seminary at 14 years old and his following decades as a celibate Catholic priest. He and Suzanne tell us about how their stories came together and the hard work and spiritual practices that have lent to the beauty of their marriage. We talk a lot about marriage -- the good, the bad, the ugly and how one way or another, sitting face-to-face with your knees touching your partner’s leaves almost no space for conflict. Suzanne and Joe explain how marriage, much like our relationship with God, is “one long obedience in the same direction” and a matter of making the next right decision. I especially love when Suzanne, speaking on the hard work of marriage said, “[chemistry] is lovely, but chemistry won’t get you through sick kids and drama and recovery and tragedy...sometimes being in love is a decision.” Friends, this conversation from 2019 (which feels like 100 years ago!) is so rich! I promise you could listen to it five different times and hear something new each round -- and I’m absolutely speaking from experience! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! My guest today is Barnabas Piper. Barnabas is an author, a podcaster, and serves on staff at Immanuel Church in Nashville, TN. He currently lives in the Nashville suburbs with his two daughters and their dog, and is getting married this month! Friends, today’s conversation was so refreshing. In this episode, Barnabas and I talk all about life growing up in the church, what faith has looked like for him over the past decade, and some really exciting things for him on the horizon. Barnabas talks about starting this past decade by losing his job and the eventual collapse of his first marriage. He shares openly about what it was like to navigate divorce in the context of the church and the ways in which God has been working through his story. We chat about the tendency to be both judge and jury when dealing with painful things because, like Barnabas says, “It’s much easier to be emotionally and relationally disengaged, dealing only with the facts of the matter rather than sitting in the pain [of the other person].” You guys, I love the way he talks about the friends who wouldn’t let him go over the past decade -- the way God holds on to us is so dear. I am also so grateful for the vulnerability Barnabas offers us in this conversation and I think you’ll really be blessed by this conversation. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #305 is Megan Lively. Megan has worked in social media marketing and management since 2008. In 2019, she transitioned away from that and is now using her experience, education, and love for the church to equip the church in the area of social media through Relevant Reach. I first met Megan at an ERLC (Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission) Conference in Dallas where we were both invited to speak. While I was there to talk about how to care for friends as they heal from abuse, Megan was there to share boldly and for the first time about her own story of being raped while in Seminary and the subsequent trauma and retraumatization she has endured and begun to heal from. In today’s episode, Megan shares her story with us much like she did that day in Dallas. We discuss how we process trauma and PTSD, the effects shame has on victims of abuse, and how these events have shaped her relationship with God and with the church. Megan tells us about the healing ways people have responded to her story, like her husband and her pastor and, unfortunately, how she encountered times where “Instead of people viewing [her] as an image-bearer, they viewed [her] as someone who was there to make life messy for the church -- and the church needs to be protected.” Friends, today’s episode is important for so many reasons. I’m incredibly grateful for Megan’s vulnerability, bravery, and willingness to share with all of us today! My prayer is that if you or someone you know has experienced or is experiencing abuse, you will be encouraged to reach out to a loved one and a counselor. This should not happen to you and it’s not okay. If you are someone who has been told of abuse, I pray that you can be an empathetic listener and take action to support them.

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! My guest today is Sharon Miller. Sharon leads Bright City Church in Durham, NC with her husband Ike. She is the author of 2 books--Free of Me, and Nice--and has a PhD on women and calling. She is also a mother of three! In 2010, Sharon’s life looked very different. She and her husband, Ike, were newly married and about to move to Chicago where they would begin their PhD program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Since then, she has had 3 babies, published 2 books and a bible study, planted a church, AND become a pastor! Quite the decade if you ask me. In this episode, Sharon and I talk about life as women in ministry, navigating what it means to be a “nice Christian woman” and what we are really called to in this life. She poignantly shares about the personal reckoning she had when she was hesitant to speak about race during the Ferguson protests and how she felt convicted about something Jesus would not have hesitated on. Ultimately, she realized that she had discipled herself into a false discipleship and had “to grapple with what we’re called to. Are we called to this nice chrisiaity that looks a lot like the real thing...or are we called to be like Jesus?” If you enjoy our conversation today, I would highly suggest checking out Sharon’s book, Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us to More! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 304 is Jill Dobrowansky. Jill uses her gift of conversation to host the Feed Your Spirit Podcast -- a space where she talks to friends about how God has brought them through difficult seasons and what they learned about God during and after this time. She and her husband Eric eside in New Jersey – where during the summer months, you can find her on the beach with a book in her hands or out for a nice long run. You guys, getting to talk with Jill was SO encouraging! In today’s episode, Jill and I talk about her experience with the Your Story Matters study and how she created the Facebook page, Our Story Matters, to further connect women in the YSM study. Jill shares so vulnerably with us about her own story of her years of running from God and finding herself pregnant at 19. Then, how God showed His love and grace to her by placing steadfast people in her life to care for her deeply. We also got to talk about leading a study like Your Story Matters and how important it is to care for people’s stories well by being an active listener and stepping into difficult or emotional places with them. Jill reminds us that while the enemy might be good at making us feel shameful, God does not judge us. What a gift that reminder is! Friends, I hope today’s episode is as refreshing for you as it is for me! If you’re interested in learning more about Your Story Matters, be sure to go to Jamieivey.com/YourStoryMatters. For the full summary and links to the show, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! In today’s episode, we’re going off the beaten path to celebrate. That’s right, it’s Your Last Decade: Graduate Edition!! My first guest today is Caitlin Smith. Caitlin is a native Austinite (aka a unicorn!) and a recent Texas Ex. She just graduated with her Masters of Science in Marketing and has been a sports photographer for UT Women’s Basketball. In this episode, Caitlin and I talk about what it’s been like living in a missional community, how “vulnerability breeds vulnerability,” and how we need to learn how to love mercy not just for ourselves, but for others as well! You guys, Caitlin is so wise and I loved our conversation today. She has navigated graduation in such a tricky season and done so with grace and understanding. I love her advice to college-aged women, to “be confident in who you are and who God created you to be uniquely.” In the second half of the episode, I chat with Holly Norris. Holly lives in Georgia with her husband and just graduated from nursing school. She was nominated to be on the show by her friend Amber -- thanks Amber! In our time together, we got to talk about her time in high school and the ways she believed that nursing was out of her reach and how she trusted in God’s faithfulness and that He would fulfill her dreams and purposes. She tells us about how her passion for nursing is driven by connecting with other people and how she loves that she gets to show Jesus to the people she treats and works with. Her advice is to “never feel like you’re less-than...because God’s going to be there with [you]!” so good! I love how clearly God’s steadfastness shines through Holly’s story and how deeply she has embraced it -- it’s so encouraging. Happy graduation to all of the 2020 grads this year! I’m so excited to see your next 10 years!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 303 is Anjuli Paschall. After graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University, Anjuli earned her master’s degree in spiritual formation and soul care from Talbot Seminary. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their five children. Anjuli is the founder of The Moms We Love Club and writes regularly for (in)Courage. Her first book, Stay: Discovering Grace, Freedom, and Wholeness, Where You Never Imagined Looking released in March 2020. Friends, getting to talk with Anjuli was such a treat! In this episode, we chat about everything from homeschooling kids and the surprising effects of COVID-19 on our family dynamics to navigating friendship as adults and sitting with difficult emotions, whether that is how we see ourselves in motherhood or the fear of allowing ourselves to truly be seen by those around us. Anjuli also dives into the difficulty and beauty of slowing down and getting to know yourself in place without producing anything. I love when she says, “We’ll never be able to know the love of God in our heart until we’re able to go into our heart. We wonder about that disconnect -- ‘Why do I know God loves me, but I don’t feel God loves me?’ -- it’s because you have to know your heart...so pay attention to the [difficult emotions] you’re resistant to.” Y’all, so good!! To read more of Anjuli’s words, be sure to check out her book, Stay. For the full summary and links to the show, click the link below! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! In today’s episode, we’re going off the beaten path to celebrate. That’s right, it’s Your Last Decade: Graduate Edition!! Not only do I have two separate guests, but I also have two different kinds of graduates. My first guest today is EJ Priest. EJ is a recent high school grad from Indiana who was nominated to be a guest by her Aunt Lori! In this episode, We talk about her past 10 years, the challenges she has faced, including her type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and how she has navigated celebrating her senior year in such an unprecedented season. She shares with us how she’s been able to maintain her passion for serving others during quarantine and what it looks like to love others well who might receive a similar diagnosis. I love when she says, “questions don’t offend me, questions show me that you care...and you want to listen.” Sometimes the best way we can love people is by asking questions and listening well. In the second half of the episode, I chat with Christian Huff. Christian is a recent college grad from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and the husband of my dear friend, Sadie Robertson! In our time together, we got to chat about his time in college, how God spoke to Christian in meaningful ways and the effects that has had on his life since. From winning the little league state championship at 12 years old to moving to Louisiana during quarantine, and recently transitioning into marriage, Christian’s past 10 years have been nothing short of eventful. While EJ and Christian might have different experiences and different backgrounds, one thing that is constant between the two is the ways in which God has made himself evident in their lives and is continuing to write their stories. Happy graduation to all of the 2020 grads this year! We at the Happy Hour are so grateful for you!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 302 is Gena Thomas. Gena is a writer, a faith wrestler, a wife, and a mom. She and her husband, Andrew, have been married for 11 years and they have two children, an 8-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl. Gena has published two books, A Smoldering Wick: Igniting Missions Work with Sustainable Practices and Separated by the Border: A Birth Mother, a Foster Mother, and a Migrant Child's 3,000-Mile Journey. You guys, I have been eager for Gena to be a guest on The Happy Hour since I read her book, Separated by the Border. I originally read the book before my trip to the border last year with Tess Clark and the women of Welcome and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Today’s conversation with Gena is so rich and I’m really grateful for her time. In this episode, we talk about lament as a spiritual discipline, her time as a missionary in Mexico, and her unique path to fostering her daughter from Honduras. Gena also shares about the policies that directly affect families at the border and the action she and other women are taking to influence legislative change. I hope this conversation was as encouraging and enlightening for you as it was for me. We can learn so much through proximity and listening to others' stories. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! Today, I’m talking with Jimmy McNeal. Jimmy’s energy and passion for God is contagious, and he leads worship out of an overflow of his love for Jesus. Serving as one of the Worship Pastors within Austin Stone Worship, God continues to challenge Jimmy to live out his life with purpose, while loving and serving others in the process. 10 years ago, Jimmy was living his best single life and serving on the worship team at Austin Stone. Then in 2013, he and his wife, Staci, started dating, got engaged, married and then got pregnant! Y’all -- what a year! In this episode, we talk about Jimmy’s new album and the creativity behind it. Jimmy also shares so vulnerably about the pain of grieving 2 miscarriages in the past decade and what it’s been like walking through the loss of 3 family members due to COVID-19 and the real impact the global pandemic has had on his family. Friends, I have so much respect for Jimmy and I know this episode is going to be a gift for you. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 301 is Danielle Coke. Danielle is the incredibly talented artist behind @OhHappyDani on Instagram where she makes doodles designed to encourage faith, inspire justice, and guide us as we love our neighbors well. You guys, Dani is one of a kind! In our conversation today, we talk about her recent thrust into the social media limelight with her illustrations that have gone viral in light of recent events. She shares about her upbringing in a Jamaican family in New York, navigating spiritual abuse in the church, and how God redeemed her relationship with Him and showed Dani His true character through scripture. We talk about how to handle the hateful comments on social media and doing the inner work necessary to address bias in all of us. I love when Dani says, “Often surrounding the conversation surrounding race, we encourage people to pull up a seat to the table, to sit with us and join the conversation...but I don’t see this as a table discussion anymore. I see it as a moving train...so please get on board, but know the train is moving...it’s not slowing down.” Friends, I’m so grateful for my conversation with Dani today and I hope you are as blessed by it as I am. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! My guest today is Derek Minor. Derek has earned the title of veteran in the game not only as a rapper but also as a producer and businessman. After a decade of making music, the award-winning artist has established himself as a leading voice of hope in the midst of darkness. Friends, Derek is a light and I so enjoyed our conversation today. In this episode, we chat about his last 10 years, starting his own record label, Reflection Music Group, his introduction to the white Evangelical church, and navigating the tightrope of being Black, Christian, and a Hip-Hop artist. He also shares transparently about his struggles in a predominantly white church during the shootings of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Philando Castile, and other Black men lost to police violence. I found it especially moving (or convicting?) when Derek says, “The version of unity that [the church] is asking for always involves the Black people being quiet about their pain and the white people getting to move on.” I am so grateful for Derek’s voice and the way he uses his platform so honestly; the world is better for it. To see some of Derek’s other ventures, check out Ownership is the New Black -- a movement promoting and supporting black ownership, shifting our consumer power to ownership power. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

Hello friends and welcome to The Happy Hour’s 300th episode! Between this milestone and celebrating our 6th birthday in May, it feels like it’s been a big month around here. I am so grateful for my past guests and each of my listeners, I truly couldn’t do this without you. My guests for today’s episode are 4 of my favorite people on the planet -- my kids! Last year, in an episode over on our Patreon Party, my son Deacon predicted that they would be back for the 300th episode, and it has turned out to be more than a little prophetic. In today’s episode, my kids, Cayden, Amos, Deacon, and Story join me to answer the questions that you all submitted last week. We touch on a range of topics including race, adoption, transracial adoption, sex, porn, social media, and faith. My kids share their thoughts about living in a biracial family, tips for how parents can best cultivate open relationships with their kids, and where they each see themselves in 10 years; I’m crossing my fingers for grandkids! You guys, this was such a joy for me to do and I hope this conversation encourages you to talk with your kids, relatives, and friends about topics that can feel awkward or uncomfortable and normalize topics that have traditionally been off-limits. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! My guest today is Katie Wussow. Katie is a Christian, wife, mother of two, and native Texan living in Washington, D.C. She is also a business coach for creative entrepreneurs, helping them build profitable businesses that allow them to make a full-time living doing what they love. You guys, Katie is one of my dear real-life friends and I had a great time talking to her today. We talk BIG faith and BIG transitions over Katie’s last 10 years and how God encourages us specifically according to our dreams, ambitions, and paths. Katie dives into how God stripped away all the earthly identities she had invested in to stretch her faith in Him and refine her vision for what she has to offer the world. In this episode, she reminds us that, “There are a million paths and you can only walk the one the Lord is asking you to walk.” Friends, I love this simple encouragement that we can all apply to our own lives. If you loved this conversation as much as I did, be sure to check out Katie’s podcast, The Game Changer. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 299 is Lore Ferguson Wilbert. Lore is a writer on spiritual formation, faith, culture, and theology in life and recently released a book titled, Handle with Care: How Jesus Redeems the Power of Touch in Life and Ministry. Friends, my conversation with Lore today is so rich. She speaks beautifully and honestly about the redemption and attention that Jesus brings to the theology of touch and how that influenced her exploration into this topic and subsequently her book, Handle with Care. We also dive into her fundamentalist upbringing, how that shaped her doubts as a 20-something, and her experience with the gospel. There are so many things that have stuck with me about our conversation, but I especially love when Lore references Aimee Byrd and says that “avoidance is not purity.” The topic of physical touch is so important, especially for those in the church, and I hope you are encouraged by Lore’s words today. Be sure you check out Lore’s new book, Handle with Care: How Jesus Redeems the Power of Touch in Life and Ministry. Handle with Care is the book you need to dive into the theology of touch and know that “somewhere in the mess of our assumptions and fears about touch, there is something beautiful and good and God-given.” Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #298 is Lauren McAfee. Lauren is a speaker, writer, connector, and coffee enthusiast with a heart to engage others in the Bible. With her husband Michael McAfee, she is the author of Not What You Think: Why the Bible Might Be Nothing We Expected Yet Everything We Need. In today’s episode, Lauren and I talk Hobby Lobby, the Museum of the Bible, and getting her PhD in Ethics and Public Policy at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Lauren also shares so vulnerably about her tumultuous path toward motherhood, her family’s adoption story with their daughter Zion, Zion’s cancer diagnosis, and how she tethered herself to the Word. I was so moved when Lauren told the story of her friend reassuring her with Lauren’s own words -- that “even if we never have this longing for children fulfilled, Jesus is enough.” Friends, Lauren has fought so courageously to stay close to God through difficult seasons and she is a great encouragement to all of us that we find contentment in Christ and not our circumstances. Be sure to check out Lauren’s book, Not What You Think: Why the Bible Might Be Nothing We Expected Yet Everything We Need. Not What You Think is the book you need to clear the deck on your preconceptions of the Bible and encounter it anew. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

As we enter this new decade, I thought it would be fun to talk to a few friends and reflect back on what life was like 10 years ago. In these conversations, you’ll hear guests speak about what God has done in their life, their dreams and goals, things they would have done differently, and things they’re most proud of. And, looking back always causes me to look forward, so we’ll also chat about dreams for the next ten years! My guest today is Lyndsey Sweeney. Lyndsey is Ivey Media’s Operations Manager, Podcast Producer, and the reason anything ever gets done around here -- seriously. Today is also her birthday! Make sure you send her some love over on Instagram. This podcast was recorded for our Patreon Party in May 2019 and it’s such a joy to look back and see how things have changed and, now, to chat this week about what Lyndsey is looking forward to in her next decade. In this episode, we talk about some of the painful things that Lyndsey has walked through in the last 10 years including her dad’s untimely death, the closed doors to pursuing a dream, the struggles of having an auto-immune disease, and how she is fighting for joy and contentment despite life’s difficulties. Friends, I am so grateful for Lyndsey’s transparency and faithfulness. I love when she says that “[God] has been so constant when I have been so distant, and I cannot ignore His constant faithfulness to me in any of the things I do moving forward.” What an encouragement for all of us! I hope you’re as blessed by this conversation as I was. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour #297 is Paula Faris. Paula is an Emmy-nominated journalist and television correspondent for ABC News. She is known for her tenure as co-anchor of Good Morning America Weekend from 2014–2018 and as co-host of The View from 2015–2018. Y’all, this conversation is the first time I met Paula and it did not take long to know that this lady is the real deal and someone I am so happy to call a friend. In this episode, Paula and I talk about how God asked her to walk away from what the world sees and, if we are honest, what we see as a wildly successful career. We also chat about imposter syndrome, living in the space of faith and media, and how she’s navigated those waters. Paula is so full of wisdom and I just love when she says that you can’t control what people think of you, but what you can control is your attitude and how you respond to a situation. Because when you’re faced with something difficult, “it reveals your character, it doesn’t define it.” I adore stories like Paula’s because it is such an example of God's kingdom ways overriding those of the world we live in for now. Paula’s book, Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling is available now. And be sure you check out Paula’s podcast, Journeys of Faith with Paula Faris, to learn a bit more about the faith stories of the influencers in our world. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE