Let go, Lean In

Cindy Kizanis, M.A. MFT, Doctor of Intercultural Studies, is an adjunct professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Western Seminary and co-founder of Be.loved Ministries. She has been encouraging, teaching, and equipping women for over 25 years. She loves reading, music, painting and creating, and is always ready for a good kitchen dance party! Since deciding to close her therapy practice, she ha...

Today I want to introduce you to a voice I've been listening to for several years.  Justin McRoberts is an author, coach, speaker, and songwriter. He is the author of six books, including the upcoming, Sacred Strides (May 2023). For over 20 years, Justin has helped artists, ministers, and entrepreneurs find their way. From the stage, through his stories in books or during coaching sessions, he lea...

Carole Duff completed a 34-year career in education, as an award-winning high school history and social studies teacher, mid-management administrator and curriculum technologist. She is also an accomplished presenter, serious flutist, and avid naturalist. Carole has written articles for the professional journals Educational Leadership and Momentum. After pivoting to writing narrative nonfiction, h...

Today we learned of another mass school shooting. Monday, March 27, 2023 six people were killed at school. Three children. Three adults. And the gun woman.  I am overwhelmed. I share a blessing from The Lives We Actually Have by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie called For This Grief-stricken Day. I also talk about what is also true for each of us. Listen in...

Today is the launch day of Andrea's first book, I'm Such a Messterpiece  We talk about writing, life and faith sprinkled with dealing with anxiety and depression. It's a great conversation with my friend who is now a published author! About the book: Battling anxiety and depression, along with the shame and stigma of mental illness, Andrea Nyberg was drowning in hopelessness. With her physical, me...

I love to share conversations I'm privileged to have recorded for you where you get to learn what the guest is about. In this episode you get to hear a bit of what I am about in the realm of my faith journey. 

In today's episode you hear my conversation with Dorothy Littell Greco. Dorothy is the author of two books on marriage, the most recent one, Marriage in the Middle, is one I'm grateful to have read. Dorothy's bio is a first person account; here's part of how Dorothy introduces herself: "I’m a story-teller. Sometimes I use words and sometimes I use images. I pay attention to what happens on the sid...

Do you ever wonder about or ponder questions beginning with the words "What if...? Do you find you listen to a negative voice instead of a voice of encouragement? This episode is for you. Important links and questions will be posted in the shownotes on Let Go, Lean In Podcast 

Happy Tuesday! Happy Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras! In fact, laissez le bon temps rouler! Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is an interesting season in the church calendar. If you are familiar with lenten practices you know it's typical to do without something during this season. Some people practice adding in something such as volunteering in the community.  I share some ideas an...

Jessica Richie is a producer and writer. She serves as the executive director of the Everything Happens Initiative at Duke University and the executive producer of the Everything Happens podcast , which hosts wise, funny, and tender conversations between Dr. Kate Bowler and guests about lives that don't always work out. Based on their work together, Kate and Jess co-wrote a book of spiritual refle...

The concept of self-care has been complicated for many women, myself included. Some teachings have emphasized the self in self-care labeling the concept selfish and anti-Christian. I bought into that line of thinking for many years; not taking care of the sacred vessel God has blessed me with. My health suffered as did my relationships. Self-care is NOT selfish. Self-care is essential and each of...

I've come to Audible slowly. Not an early adopter because I struggled with the legitimacy of reading. I had to talk myself through the process of learning a language whether your heart language or a second or third or more. We learn listening. Reading is actually the third stage of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and then writing.  All that to say, I've made peace with reading book...

Moving toward the next milestone in episodes, beginning again with one. One hundred one to be exact. Sharing with you the value of practicing affirmations and the kinds of fruit that can be born in your life: mind, heart and body being supported and encouraged by helpful, authentic words. Research is behind this episode! Check it out.

*Applause* Woohoo! 100 Episodes! I'm sharing the fun with you; Top 5 Episodes, Top 5 Books Read and Top 4 Things I've Learned as a Podcaster. Plus there is a gift for you in the show notes at letgoleaninpodcast.com

In this unique episode, I pull back the curtain to reveal who and what is behind Let Go, Lean In Podcast.  I also have a reminder of the invitation to join a coaching group using the Enneagram wisdom for growth and development. Thanks again for being here!

Happy New Year! It's been a rainy start in California but today there is a break in the rain! Can't complain; we desperately need the rain but there is also the tragic loss of lives due to flooding in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mourning for those families who have lost loved ones. In this podcast episode I want to help you see each of our blind spots for the nine types of the Enneagram. Listen to...

You're not invited to use your imagination a lot as an adult. In fact, imagination can be called a bad thing in certain circles.   What would growth and change be like if you were invited to imagine releasing the things you want to change into the hands of the One who created you? What if you put into practice casting your cares into the Eternal River of God's Grace?   That is what this episode is...

There are 12 days until the new year 2023. When I was ten that year was so far off it was part of science fiction writing! I hope you are making space to reflect on this past year and are setting some intentions for what you'd like to see and be a part of in the coming year.  Making lasting change takes practice and learning what tools you already have to move forward is what this episode is about...

Michelle Van Loon is the author of 7 books including Becoming Sage: Cultivating Maturity, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife. She is the founder of the website and newsletter for women in the second half of life, TheSageForum.com. She's been married to Bill for 43 years, and is mom of three and grandmother to two teen boys. Midlife spiritual formation is a focus of her work and the passion of he...

In this episode I have the privilege of introducing you to Gem Fadling. Gem Fadling, CLC, is a founding partner of Unhurried Living, a non-profit that trains people to rest deeper, live fuller and lead better. She is a Certified Life Coach and a trained Spiritual Director who coaches women at the intersection of spiritual leadership and soul care. Gem is the host of the I Can Do That! Podcast as w...

Our lives are full of endings and beginnings. Some endings are joyful like moving from an apartment into your first home. Or completing your education and finding your first career job. Some endings are hard and challenging to navigate like finding out your company is downsizing and you didn't make the cut. Or hearing news of the death of a loved one. Sudden endings that we don't choose can be the...

We all have experienced so many losses over the past several years; loss of jobs, loss of revenue and even loss of loved ones. That's where I find myself today. In this personal reflection I point out the practice of being quiet, of having eyes to see and ears to hear the gifts of grace that are offered when you're hurting.

Starting this episode a bit differently with a personal reflection on my computer use; connecting this anecdote to the question What difference does a small change make? You'll learn more than you want to know about me but I also share a practical tool and the insight I've gleaned in relationship to the posture toward time.

Quiet here since August. Why? I've been practicing Discernment in the Second Half. Listen in to hear what that is and the tool that I've been using to let go and lean in.

Celebrations! My husband's birthday was this past week AND Let Go, Lean In Podcast is TWO years old! It's important to celebrate milestones but it's also important to celebrate your resilience. This episode is about just that. Listen in!