Anchored Decisions

Show Notes What’s the difference between praying throughout your day and sitting down for intentional, focused prayer — and why does it matter? In this episode, Lauren shares how intentional prayer can connect you to God in a deeper way. You’ll hear why “praying on the go” isn’t the same as making prayer a priority, and the three internal shifts that begin to happen when prayer becomes intentional...

Show Notes Overwhelmed by podcasts, posts, and “you shoulds”? In this episode, Lauren names the real cost of information overload and offers 6 tips for deciding who to listen to and what to do next—without burning out your time, money, or peace. She also shares an update on her health journey and previews a new “Should I Quit My Job?” resource bundle built from her SAIL Method. Key Points: 🔑 Why...

Show Notes This week’s episode of The Anchored Decisions Show is a little different. After stepping back this summer due to health challenges, I felt prompted to share a raw and unscripted message straight from my heart in light of recent events. As we remembered 9/11 and mourned the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, I couldn’t help but reflect on unity, conviction, and what it means to boldly...

Show Notes Are your daily actions drawing you closer to God—or further away? In this raw and heartfelt episode, Lauren shares a personal update about her health struggles, home renovation chaos, and the lessons God has been teaching her through it all. What started as a year of “pursuing” growth turned into a season of pruning, rest, and radical trust. Tune in to hear how stress, striving, and mis...

Show Notes Can journaling really help you make better decisions — and hear from God more clearly? In this episode, spiritual director and journal coach Kari Bartkus shares how prayer journaling creates space to process emotions, clarify your values, and invite God into your decision-making. We talk about journaling methods beyond just pros and cons lists, how to overcome the fear of someone readin...

Show Notes Every decision we make—big or small—creates ripple effects that impact far more than we often realize. In today’s episode, Lauren walks through real-life examples (including her own home renovation saga) to unpack how one decision can lead to a cascade of long-term relational, financial, and emotional consequences. Whether you're considering a job change, a big move, or a parenting choi...

Show Notes Show Notes In this episode of The Anchored Decision Show , Lauren sits down with financial advisor Jami McCree to take a deep dive into investing—what it looks like, when to start, and how to prioritize it alongside other financial goals. Jami shares her personal journey into financial advising, the biggest mistakes she sees families make when it comes to saving, and what she recommends...

Learn how to handle money with wisdom, purpose, and biblical truth. In this episode of The Anchored Decision Show , Lauren sits down with Certified Financial Planner Emily Scott to talk about biblical financial planning. From creating a God-honoring budget to deciding what to invest in, Emily shares practical, grace-filled wisdom to help you approach your finances with intentionality and faith. Sh...

Show Notes AI is becoming more integrated into our daily lives—from simplifying tasks to generating content to helping us plan our weeks. But where’s the line between using AI as a tool and letting it take over? In this episode, I’m sharing the real ways I use AI in my personal life and business, along with where it’s fallen short—and why it should never replace our prayer life, critical thinking,...

Show Notes AI is becoming a bigger part of how we make decisions — from choosing what we watch to making major financial decisions. But what happens when we rely on it too much? Could we be outsourcing our ability to think critically, seek God’s wisdom, and grow through the decision-making process? In this episode, I’m breaking down how AI is already influencing our choices and why that’s not alwa...

Show Notes Are you praying about a decision but feel like God is silent? In this episode, we dive into five biblical reasons you might not be hearing from God—and what you can do about it. You'll learn how God speaks today, ways you may have already heard from Him without realizing it, and practical steps to tune into His voice. This teaching is pulled directly from my Divine Discernment Workshop...

Show Notes Are You Struggling to Decide Which Commitments to Take On? In this episode of The Anchored Decisions Show , I’m joined by Joni Topper to talk about making wise decisions about commitments. Joni shares powerful stories about times when she faced tough decisions — like continuing to lead worship after a botched surgery and deciding whether to push forward with a children's choir when it s...

Show Notes Are you torn between two big choices and don’t know which one is right for you? In this episode of Ask a Decision Coach , I help Marie navigate her decision between a fixer-upper with land or a move-in-ready home in a tight-knit community. Instead of relying on a pros and cons list, we use my SAIL Method to align her decision with her values, priorities, and long-term goals. If you’ve e...

Show Notes Are you struggling with decision-making and wondering if you're truly hearing from God? In this episode, I share my journey from being the world’s biggest overthinker to becoming a confident decision-maker, all by the grace of God. You'll hear how a last-minute calling led me to launch the 31 Days of Prayer Challenge in just 15 days—and how God's fingerprints were all over it. We’ll div...

In this episode, Lauren goes over a concept she learned years ago from the Andy Stanley Bible study called “The Principle of the Path.” The overall concept is to ask yourself, “What’s the wise choice.” To determine the wise choice, think about your end destination and let that determine the steps you take to get there. What direction are your actions leading you in, and are they helping you reach...

In this episode of the Anchored Decisions Show, Lauren Black welcomes guest Rachel Mitchell, a mother of two teenage boys, to discuss how to help children become good decision-makers. They talk about involving kids in the decision-making process, teaching kids about fasting, and Rachel’s decisions between homeschool and public school. Rachel shares her strategies for teaching kids to seek God's gu...

In this episode of The Anchored Decision Show , Lauren Black interviews interior designer Michaela Farwell from Fairspring Design. Together, they explore essential tips for honing your personal home design style, balancing trends with timeless choices, and ensuring your design flows seamlessly from room to room. Michaela shares insights from her design journey, discussing the art of blending style...

In this episode of the Anchored Decisions podcast, host Lauren Black delves into the importance of helping children find their career paths early on. Inspired by her own experiences and volunteer work with youth groups, Lauren discusses the significance of guiding kids towards careers they are both passionate about and skilled in. She introduces Anna McLaughlin, a certified life coach and former c...

Questioning whether you should send your child to public school as a Christian? In this episode, I share about the struggles with choosing a school for your child as a Christian — not just for the academics, but for a well-rounded social, emotional and educational intelligence. I share my journey of selecting a school for my child, including the various options I was considering and my pros and co...

Struggle with negative thoughts, making assumptions or self-criticism? In this episode, Lauren provides a 3-step process for extinguishing the negative voices in your head and distinguishing what's true. Catch your lies and negative thoughts before they lead you down a rabbit hole that affects your mood, your words, your actions and your emotions. Key points: 3 Steps to Know and Live by the Truth...

In this episode, I’m joined by Kimberly Christian, a licensed clinical social worker and faith-based counselor. Kimberly introduces us to her program, The Christian Method , which combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with biblical principles to help people understand and transform their thoughts and feelings using CBT techniques. Kimberly delves into the crucial difference between thoughts...

Lauren provides an update on her home renovation — sharing how they've been trying a bunch of different options for her kitchen layout. She thought she was being indecisive, but then realized it was a different culprit: perfectionism. Lauren dives into the differences between perfectionism and indecision, and gives some examples of each, to help you determine which you struggle with, so you can pr...

Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Brenda Yoder, a licensed mental health counselor, elementary school counselor, speaker, former teacher, podcaster, and author. Brenda shares insights from her books, including her latest, "Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life." We delve into the wisdom of past generations, the importance of practical skills and problem-solving...

In this episode, I’m joined by Rachel Baker, a speaker, coach, and author dedicated to helping women reclaim their time and sanity. Rachel shares her journey to becoming a beacon of support for overwhelmed women, including those managing chronic pain, special needs, and ADHD. She discusses the importance of creating breathing room in our lives and the necessity of rest and reflection in decision-m...

Getting a stubborn person to change their mind or even consider an alternative perspective can be a challenge... until now! Learn how one simple question — paired with commitment bias — can transform resistant attitudes into receptive conversations. This approach sets a positive, non-confrontational tone, making it easier to discuss challenging topics without feeling defensive or offended. Whether...