Challenges Won't Stop Me

In this special edition episode, I wanted to focus on our kids. Even though adults have never experienced anything like this in our lives, we are better equipped to process the news and the required social adjustments. Some kids will ride this wave and enjoy the “different way of life.” Other kids will battle anxious thoughts and fears as they see this “different way of life” as unsettling and sca...

Psychologist and counselor, Dr. Christi Bartolomucci, joins me for part 2 of our anxiety series where she answers questions about our kids and anxiety. Dr. Christi shares what children do and say when they are struggling with anxiety. She offers strategies to help them fight and overcome anxiety. Listen to episode 17 where Dr. Christ talks about helping children name anxiety so they can talk back...

Psychologist and counselor, Dr. Christi Bartolomucci, joins me for this two part series on anxiety. In depth knowledge of anxiety and practical strategies to fight anxiety fill our conversation. Dr. Christi, shares, "Anxiety is a bully. It's sneaky. Sometimes when it's lurking, it can sound like your own voice. The more you give in to anxiety, the more it keeps showing up in your li...

Why wait until October to spread breast cancer awareness? Especially if you have two sisters who have the BRCA1 gene and fought to overcomer breast cancer with the most positive attitudes and lots of laughter! Sisters Brenda and Bernadette, along with their older sister and brother tested positive for the BRCA1 gene. Listen in to learn how each sister handled knowing she had the gene and what that...

Hardships are a fact of life. Some of our nation's young people experience abuse, gang violence, bullying, poverty, drug addictions, and educational struggles. These hardships and many others invite hopelessness and a lack of purpose. My guest, Ron Green of Operation Snatch Back, is passionate about stepping into the lives of at-risk youth to teach life skills that will give them the tools th...

From early childhood, my guest BJ Garrett, felt unloved and unwanted. Sexual abuse by a family member scarred her. Those emotional wounds led her to make poor choices as a young teen and young adult. BJ faced many zigzags in her life. She knew she was running away from the God who was pursuing her. Then she met several Jesus-loving people who loved her just as she was - wounds and all. BJ shares h...

When we are in the trenches, we often feel overwhelmed. Thoughts swirl in our head at a dizzying pace. We oftentimes stuff our emotions, because they feel too big to process.  What if creativity could invite healing? My guest, Amy Markham, shares how creative living practices helped her express her bottled up emotions and overpowering thoughts during her fight with cancer. She found reconnecting w...

September is National Suicide Awareness Month. Suicide is a topic we'd rather avoid. It's uncomfortable. There often are no answers. But, it's a topic we must discuss. And we must learn as much as we can with the intention of preventing as many suicides as possible. My guest, Tracy Hurst , struggled as an adolescent with depression and had suicidal ideations. Now she is a licensed p...

September is National Suicide Awareness Month. Suicide is a topic we'd rather avoid. It's uncomfortable. There often are no answers. But, it's a topic we must discuss. And we must learn as much as we can with the intention of preventing as many suicides as possible. My guest, Tracy Hurst , struggled as an adolescent with depression and had suicidal ideations. Now she is a licensed p...

Parenting is not for wimps! Because parenting can be hard, most parents are eager to hear great parenting advice as each age presents a different set of challenges. Learning from those who have gone before us and lived through it is one of the best ways to be a better parent. Kenn Kington, comedian and motivational speaker, joins us for another episode to share the wisdom he's gained in paren...

You may have heard of new age practices or cults (even Christian ones), but you likely don't know how one becomes involved in one or what day to day life is like. In this episode, we explore both.  My guest, Athena Dean Holtz, dabbled in several new age practices. In her book, Full Circle, she explained, "The enemy used my hunger to know God to draw me into his lies. Because I didn'...

My interview with Maegan came about in a unique way. Knowing about the ministry, at least ten mutual friends from church said I needed to interview Maegan as she had an incredible story. I’m so glad I followed their advice as her story is truly a beautiful one of God turning her ashes into beauty.  The phrase beauty for ashes comes from Isaiah 61:1-2. It says, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is...

It's always a great day when you can spend it with someone who makes you laugh!  Kenn Kington - comedian, motivational speaker, author, and occasional fill-in pastor - joins us to discuss how laughter helps us have a different perspective when life zigzags.  Kenn's always observing life and sees what most of us miss. When he retells  stories about what he's observed, it's easy...

In the last chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul wraps up his message to the church in Corinth by saying: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith ; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." What does it mean to stand firm in the faith, especially when your path hits a zigzag? My friends, Stephanie, Holli, and Lisa, joined me for a round table discussion about the zigzags they'v...

Parenting in a sexualized culture is very challenging. With all our children see in the media, do they know how to process it? The bigger question is how will it impact them? Anne Kerr of True North Freedom project is our guest. She tackles these questions and more! Join us as she shares the importance of having a grace-filled, practical approach to understanding, teaching, and modeling God-honori...

February is Heart Health Month. Who better to help us have healthy hearts than a health and wellness coach? Melony invited Severin Garrett to share her knowledge and experiences regarding healthy living with us, so we can have healthy hearts.  A surprising statistic is 1 out of 3 women will have cardiovascular disease. While these numbers may currently be true, women CAN make healthy a lifestyle a...

January is National Slavery and Sex Trafficking Awareness Month. After meeting several ministry leaders who are fighting to end the human trafficking epidemic, Melony knew she must interview Kasey McClure of 4Sarah . Kasey knows and understands the sex industry, because she's been there. Kasey shares about the zigzags she experienced while working in a dance club. After walking away from it,...

January is National Slavery and Sex Trafficking Awareness Month. After meeting several ministry leaders who are fighting to end the human trafficking epidemic, Melony knew she must interview Kasey McClure of 4Sarah . In part 1, Kasey shared about her years in the sex industry and how she is now passionate about helping rescue women and girls being exploited in human trafficking with her ministry t...

Welcome to Zigzag & One! Face a big dog struggle lately? Worried and anxious you won't make it through? Don't know which way to turn? Wish you had someone wiser than you to pour their wisdom into you? This podcast will tackle the issues women face, as well as offer valuable wisdom that can be applied to your life. In this inaugural episode of Zigzag & One, Melony sits down with h...