Anchored with Purpose | Faith, Family, Purpose, Dreaming, Planning, Overcoming Anxiety, Overcoming Overwhelm

What happens when a goal you were excited about starts to feel impossible? A few weeks ago, I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon. But what most people didn't know was that just weeks earlier, I was seriously wondering whether I should give up on the goal altogether. Life had happened. Training hadn't gone according to plan. I was far behind where I thought I should be. Then a friend...

Have you ever scrolled through Instagram looking for one health answer and suddenly found yourself wondering if you have high cortisol, a hormone imbalance, parasites, or five other things you had never worried about before? There is so much noise in the health and wellness space, and it can leave us feeling like our bodies are another problem we need to solve. In this episode of Anchored with Pur...

What happens when you step away from the noise long enough to hear yourself think again? 🍂 COME EXPERIENCE UNPLUGGED Unplugged is intentionally small, with space for just 12 women and only 6 overnight guests. Learn more and reserve your spot: https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/df5e0a6591 In this episode of Anchored with Purpose , Melissa is taking you somewhere special: Hilltop , a private, of...

What if you didn’t need to completely reinvent your life this fall? In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa shares a simple exercise from her retail leadership days that she’s bringing into this new season: Start, Stop, Continue. It’s a simple way to step back and ask what you want more of, what you’re ready to release, and what is already working that you want to protect. Melissa shares...

Have you ever been so good at something that you assumed it couldn’t possibly be valuable because it comes naturally to you? Or spent so much time giving to everyone else that you barely recognize what’s left for you? In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa sits down with author, coach, and former direct sales leader Amy Kemp for a powerful conversation about leadership, purpose, knowing...

What if getting away from your everyday routine could help you discover that you're capable of more than you thought? In this episode of Anchored with Purpose , Melissa Wilkinson shares stories from a very special family vacation to Puerto Rico, where three generations of her Puerto Rican family traveled together. From introducing her boys to their Puerto Rican heritage and experiencing Spanish Ma...

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, Everything is good, so why do I still feel like something is missing? That longing for more doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ungrateful or doing something wrong. It may actually be an invitation from God to go deeper. In this episode of Anchored with Purpose , Melissa sits down with her mentor and Rebuilt Parish co-founder Tom Corcoran to talk about hi...

Maybe you started the year with big goals, a meaningful Word of the Year, and the best intentions, only to find yourself feeling like life has taken over. If that's you, this episode is your reminder that you don't have to wait until January for a fresh start. In this episode of Anchored with Purpose , Melissa Wilkinson shares the simple mid-year practice that has transformed her own life: the Lif...

Have you ever felt like you're always rushing? Racing from one responsibility to the next, checking things off your to do list, and wondering why you still feel exhausted? In this episode, Melissa Wilkinson shares the lessons God has been teaching her through an unexpected slower season. After both she and her husband faced surgeries this summer, Melissa was forced to step away from her normal rou...

Have you ever felt like family vacations aren't really vacations... they're just parenting in a different location? If you've ever packed for everyone, cooked every meal, cleaned up every mess, and wondered if you'll ever actually relax on vacation again, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Anchored with Purpose , Melissa Wilkinson shares why this year's annual beach vacation felt com...

Summer doesn't have to be packed with camps and expensive activities to make a lasting impact. In this solo episode of Anchored with Purpose , Melissa Wilkinson shares a behind-the-scenes look at her family's summer and the unexpected lessons that have come from slowing down, embracing flexibility, and intentionally preparing her boys for adulthood. After an unexpected start to the summer - includ...

What do you do when God places something on your heart that feels bigger than you? In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Shawna DuBois, founder of Gabriel's Retreat Ministries, to talk about faith, obedience, and what happens when God calls you to step into something you never expected. Shawna shares her powerful faith journey—from being a teenager with one foo...

What if joy wasn't something you had to wait for until life got easier? If you've been feeling overwhelmed, burned out, stuck, or like you've lost sight of the joy and purpose God has for your life, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Catholic author, speaker, and writing coach Shemaiah Gonzalez to talk about finding joy in diffi...

For years, Melissa struggled to understand the Rosary. It felt repetitive, intimidating, and honestly, she wasn't sure why Catholics were so devoted to it. In this episode, Melissa sits down with Deborah Viña, founder of MG Rosary, for an honest conversation about the Rosary, Marian devotion, and the sacramentals of the Catholic Church. Melissa shares how a recent 54-day novena completely changed...

Have you ever wondered if the gifts and experiences God has given you are preparing you for something bigger? In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa sits down with Molly Olson, founder of Sacred Anchor Artisans, to discuss faith, creativity, hospitality, and following the nudges of the Holy Spirit. Molly shares her journey from raising six children and helping run a freeze-dried candy b...

What happens when God asks you to let go of the dream you worked years to build? In this inspiring conversation, Melissa sits down with Kristen Ledlow, former NBA sideline reporter, television host, entrepreneur, and mom, to talk about faith, purpose, motherhood, and learning to trust God's plan when it looks very different than your own. Kristen shares her journey from covering the NBA on nationa...

What happens when you say “yes” to the Holy Spirit, even when the path ahead doesn’t fully make sense? In this episode of the Anchored with Purpose Podcast, Melissa sits down with Bible App content creator, author, speaker, and soon-to-be podcaster, Thelma Dzwowa, for a conversation full of faith, obedience, divine appointments, and trusting God through every season. From growing up in Zimbabwe, t...

What if your curiosity about a sober lifestyle isn’t random… but an invitation from God? Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Amy Fuggi and Judi Daigle to talk about faith, freedom, healing, and what life can look like on the other side of alcohol. This conversation is about awareness, healing, and discovering the joy, peace, and clarity that can come when we remove the things numbing us from fully ex...

What does it mean to embrace the feminine genius in today’s world? In this inspiring episode of the Anchored with Purpose Podcast, Melissa sits down with Catholic publisher and educator Heidi Bollich-Erne, founder of The Better Part Journal, a beautiful new print journal created to elevate the voices, experiences, and intellectual contributions of Catholic women. Heidi shares the powerful story be...

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by clutter in your home, your schedule, or even your thoughts, this episode is for you. Melissa sits down with Gina, host of Pruning to Prosper , to talk about how decluttering is about so much more than just organizing your space. It’s about creating room for God to move in your life. Gina shares how she went from helping women organize their homes to helping th...

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or like you’re constantly trying to “balance” it all and still falling short? In this powerful and relatable conversation, I sit down with Bethany Rees, founder of Leadership on the Rocks , to talk about what it really means to lead with faith in every area of your life. From motherhood to career to personal growth, Bethany shares a refreshing perspecti...

Have you ever caught yourself wondering if you’re behind in life, faith, or business? In this episode, I’m sharing something that’s been on my heart in a very real way. Recently, I’ve had moments where I’ve questioned my own timeline, wondering if I should be further along or doing more. But through prayer and reflection, God keeps bringing me back to this truth: You are not behind. In this episod...

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to launch a course, podcast, or online offer because of tech overwhelm, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Kara Williams, who helps women simplify tech and confidently bring their ideas to life. We talk about the real reason so many women stay stuck, how to move past perfectionism, and why having someone walk alongside you changes every...

Lent may be over, but what if this is just the beginning? In this reflective episode of the Anchored with Purpose Podcast, Melissa walks you through a powerful post-Lent reset to help you hold onto the faith habits you built during Lent and turn them into a sustainable daily rhythm. If you felt closer to God, more intentional, and more grounded over the past season, this episode will help you iden...

In this faith-filled conversation, Melissa sits down with Mindy “Mindo” Backsen, a wife and mom from North Dakota whose story is rooted in obedience, surrender, and trusting God when the next step feels uncertain. Mindy shares how she left a demanding career in insurance, stepped into social selling and coaching, and discovered that true alignment happens when Christ is first, not second. Together...