Building For Life

One simple shift can change the way an entire year feels: trade resolutions for a compass. We walk through a clear, faith-rooted method to choose a Word of the Year and then show how to turn that word into daily decisions, healthy boundaries, and small acts of courage that actually stick. No lofty slogans—just a grounded practice that helps you listen for direction and build a life that grows. Fir...

If your calendar feels heavier than your heart, this conversation offers a reset. We look at why overcommitment creeps in—identity pressure, fear of disappointing others, and the comparison vortex—and how that constant motion drains joy, money, and connection. Rather than sprinting from event to event, we lay out a practical way to design a season that actually feels like you: more presence, less...

Pressure builds fast when the calendar crowds, the family gathers, and everyone brings unspoken expectations to the table. We dive into a practical, compassionate approach to holiday boundaries—treating them not as walls but as gates that protect energy, time, and emotional health. With Allison joining, we unpack why December often magnifies stress, how false guilt keeps us stuck in old roles, and...

Holiday sparkle without the spiral—let’s make that real. We open our new series by replacing default December chaos with a simple compass: choose how you want to feel first, then let every plan, purchase, and RSVP flow from that choice. Peace, connection, and simplicity stop being wishes and start becoming criteria. When the calendar crowds in, this one question cuts through the noise: what experi...

Want a steadier nervous system and deeper healing without going it alone? We dig into the power of co-regulation—how a calm, safe presence helps the body downshift—and share practical ways to build the kind of community that actually accelerates growth. We start with the tug-of-war between isolation and connection. Some of us process quietly with prayer and reflection, others need to talk it out....

The stress alarm doesn’t always blare; sometimes it’s a faint beep you can’t locate. We pull back the curtain on how we learned to find that sound in our bodies, calm it with steady rhythms, and build a life that doesn’t swing between burst and burnout. Our journey moves from discovering Terry Wardle’s formational prayer to blending it with practical nervous system tools that bring the prefrontal...

What if the fastest way to grow is to stop judging yourself and start studying yourself? We dig into the practice of curiosity over condemnation and show how small, honest questions can unlock big changes. Instead of letting a harsh inner critic call the shots, we walk through simple ways to observe your thoughts, track your emotions, and name the patterns shaping your choices, so you can respond...

The days feel full, the noise feels constant, and yet there’s a quieter way to live that doesn’t depend on perfect conditions. We sat down to unpack how protecting calm becomes a daily discipline that steadies your body, clears your mind, and anchors your heart when everything else is shifting. From faith as an unchanging foundation to micro‑rhythms that fit real life, we share how a secure base t...

Some walls hold up the house; others just look pretty. We talk about the kind of community that actually carries weight—confidential, honest, and steady enough to challenge you when you drift—and why it’s the difference between a life that creaks and a life that thrives. We break down clear traits of a safe circle: people who honor your story, keep confidence, resist quick judgment, and offer real...

Leadership doesn’t happen on the mountaintop; it happens in the mud. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it means to lead when nothing is tidy, decisions are imperfect, and the pressure to “look polished” is loud. Instead of chasing an image, we walk through how presence beats perfection, why asking the so-called “dumb” question speeds up learning, and how modeling vulnerability turns quiet roo...

What kind of wake do you leave behind—calm water that carries people forward or chop that wears them out? We take that image and build a practical, human playbook for creating a company that gives life and a life that makes others stronger. From faith-shaped focus to day-to-day leadership habits, we map the small moves that add up to a culture people can feel. We unpack stewardship over ownership—...

Surrender. The very word can make us uncomfortable. But what if the path to peace runs directly through letting go of what we can't control? On this episode of Building for Life, we dive into the challenging but transformative practice of surrender. We explore how acknowledging our lack of control—far from being a sign of weakness—actually becomes a doorway to unexpected strength and resilien...

What if the bravest people aren't fearless at all? In this thought-provoking discussion, Missy Manuel and Allison Babin challenge conventional wisdom about courage by exploring how true bravery often means moving forward while carrying fear like a backpack. Through vulnerable personal stories, Missy shares how she navigated a high-stakes business opportunity by processing her fear rather than...

Life rarely asks permission before demolishing our carefully constructed plans. Miss Emanuel knows this firsthand, having faced both her husband's unexpected death and a devastating propane grill explosion within six months. What makes her story remarkable isn't just her survival, but her ability to find genuine gratitude amid these life-altering circumstances. When everything familiar v...

September 12th started like any other day for Missy Manuel. She dropped her husband Greg off at the airport, said goodbye, and went about her day. Hours later, she received the phone call that would change everything – his plane had crashed. In one moment, the life she had designed with her husband of 38 years was completely altered. This raw and powerful season premiere takes us through Missy&apo...

We appreciate you tuning in to the Building for Life Podcast! We are so excited to close out this season and prepare for next season, which will start in January of 2025. Join us again, as we'll be discussing all things building - homes and lives - with great interviews and brand new content. Please join us then!

Ever feel like you're juggling too many challenges at once? This week on the Building for Life podcast, Missy Manuel and Taylor Burtner are here to share their firsthand experiences of turning tough times into growth opportunities. We take you behind the scenes at Manual Companies, where exhaustion and setbacks have pushed us to our limits. Discover the power of maintaining a positive mindset...

Can you imagine breaking free from the never-ending hustle and bustle of everyday life to truly connect with yourself and your spiritual guidance? Join Cheryl Evans and me, Missy Manuel, on this enlightening episode of the Building for Life podcast as we uncover the common pitfalls that often hinder personal growth. We discuss how our fast-paced society pressures us to be constantly on the move, m...

Ready to embark on a transformative journey of growth and healing? Join me, Missy Manuel, as I sit down with my dear friend and seasoned therapist, Cheryl Evans, for a heartfelt conversation about the unprecedented surge in self-improvement and therapy, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cheryl sheds light on the urgency and hunger people now have to connect the dots in their lives a...

Ever wondered how acknowledging personal brokenness can pave the way for profound healing? Join Missy Manuel, Allison Babin, and Hailey Stroderd on the Building for Life podcast as they guide you through their own stories of trauma, anxiety, and the misplaced blame resulting from the illusion of control. Through heartfelt conversations, they reveal practical steps like self-inventory and seeking s...

What does it take to truly heal and transform from within? Join us on this deeply moving episode of the Building for Life podcast, where Hailey shares her powerful journey of healing and growth. Discover how, despite entering marriage with deep-seated wounds from the past, Hailey found hope through a spiritual community and a godly family. When her relationship with Eric reached a breaking point,...

Ever wondered how to break free from the chains of your past and truly transform your life? This week, we sit down with Hailey Stroderd, who shares her incredible journey of personal growth and healing. Hailey opens up about "firing the liar" and "crucifying the victim"—two powerful concepts she uses to dismantle false narratives and overcome a victim mentality. She emphasizes...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to truly break free from a life of bondage and start anew? Join us on the Building for Life podcast as we welcome our special guest, Hailey Stroderd, a woman whose journey from a life-threatening lifestyle to transformative freedom will leave you awe-inspired. Born into a realm of shame and a broken love story, Hailey opens up about the struggles that led her d...

What if the key to personal growth this summer lies in the stories you read and the people you meet? Join Missy, Taylor, and Allison on the latest episode of the Building for Life podcast as we explore how summer can be a transformative season for both our minds and hearts. Taylor dives into her current reads—"Fans First" by Jesse Cole and "A Man's Search for Meaning"—shar...