Changing Lives Podcast

Resources mentioned: Valarie Kaur’s See No Stranger book and Revolutionary Love Project . My Changing Lives Zoom Community Gathering Our personal wellbeing is affected by many factors. Some are beyond our control: adverse childhood experiences, unhealthy cultural norms, wars, global pandemics, etc. But as adults we can control how we respond to events and circumstances that threaten our wellbeing....

Deborah and I discuss her new novel, how writing reduces shame, toxic politics and social norms, and the healing power of supportive communities. Want to have honest conversations about things that matter? Come to my FREE Zoom gathering Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Blue is 81. She’s had seven careers and lived in multiple countries. A post on her “Reinvent Your Life” Substack mentions how rough the early days of one career she started “not with a vision, with a quiet refusal to keep pretending” were. I left my former career as a pastor for the same reason, though my refusal to pretend was not (and is not) quiet . I’m forming an online community of people who...

Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Tamy and I changed our lives by embracing authenticity and vulnerability. We left our former professions (she was a plastic surgeon and I was a pastor) to become writers and coaches. We made that choice because we realized it was healthier for us and more helpful to others to share how we dealt with challenges similar to theirs than it was to keep our personal struggles private. Personal strug...

Sign up for free Zoom gathering at https://lu.ma/88fob8q2 for the community conversation we all need to cope with hard times and change our lives and the world! “If you want to change the world, start with yourself.” - Mahatma Gandhi Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

The Soulful Sales Society * proves that sensitive, empathetic online coaches and content creators - including neurospicy ones like me - can promote and sell our offers successfully without compromising our values or wellbeing. Its founder, Ruth Poundwhite, has built a thriving business that way and helps me believe and teaches me ways I can do that, too. Here’s what Soulful Sales Society * include...

Note: The Soulful Sales Society * I mention is an amazing combination of courses, workbooks, “get it done” weeks, live calls, and other resources. It's helping me change my mindset and sell my services effectively and ethically. Join by 6/30 to save 40%! *affiliate link At 69, Gail says the best years of her life are happening now. At 56, I believe my best years are yet to come. We know that hones...

We’ve been told, "You’re the problem. Fix yourself so you can function normally.” But to function “normally” in a toxic culture is not healthy. Want to discuss ways to stay sane in an insane world and help create a better one? Join the “We Can Do Hard Things” chat and Zoom conversations from now - August or register here for the Sept. 7 Changing Lives Zoom Gathering . It’s free and open to the pub...

Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

“The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter” is Melinda Blau’s 16th and favorite book. It’s the story of her friendships with nine “old ladies” and what each woman teaches her. It’s a fun read with interesting characters, humorous quotes, and wise insights that, at age 56, I appreciate. Melinda and I also talk about broader issues related to aging, like age di...

Wendi and Nan discuss the joy and freedom of embracing your authentic self, speaking your truth, and doing what you love instead of what pleases others. Go here for Changing Lives videos, blog posts, and other helpful mental and spiritual health resources. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Ren and I discuss how the bad things in our lives and the world may seem all-consuming, but we can always find (or create) moments of beauty, goodness, and kindness. We can notice and appreciate small good things without denying that big bad things are happening. In fact, when we pay more attention to good things, it becomes easier to cope with and do something about bad things. We are reminded th...

Because of their religious beliefs or society’s expectations, women often do things that endanger their health and wellbeing to please other people. Andrea Amador and I discussed some harmful beliefs that we had to reject in order to love ourselves and do what was best for us. Did you have to reject a former belief in order to love yourself? If so, how did you do that? Please share your story in t...

I recorded this for NAMI’s “In Every Story, There’s Strength” Mental Health Awareness Month campaign. One reason I began publishing Changing Lives more than three years ago was to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions. Another was to share free and low-cost resources, along with tips based on my experience, to help other people who don’t know what to do or where to turn t...

A conversation about our horrible and wonderful experiences with mental health professionals, the need for a more holistic approach to mental health care, the spiritual practices that sustain us, and the peer support groups we lead to help ourselves and others. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Daria and I were successful by society’s standards. We were high achievers with graduate degrees and professional careers. She was a lawyer; I was a pastor. Our work was meaningful, but it was also all-consuming. Ultimately, the negative effects of those careers on our mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life outweighed the benefits. We decided that the freedom to set our own sche...

Kara Westerman (she/her) and I discuss the memoir she is writing with her deceased husband, our evolving spiritual beliefs, our ongoing recovery and self-love journeys, and more. Zoom spiritual support group info: https://bit.ly/wearysouls Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Resources mentioned during this conversation: Wendi's "Nature + Nurture ebook (free until April 30 with coupon code “Substack”) Lauren's "Happy & Free On Purpose" course (free until April 30 with code “Wendi”) Wendi’s Zoom Spiritual Support Group (paid six week private group starting May 4) Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

laura davis and I talked about our trauma recovery journeys, how we use writing to help ourselves and others heal, politics, religion, and more. The Zoom spiritual support group I mentioned starts May 4 ; please share the link with anyone you know who may want to discuss spiritual issues in a safe, supportive community. For more information about Laura’s books and retreats, see her Substack , The...

Wendi and guest Nancy Norbeck discuss what they've learned (or unlearned) and done that has made life at 50+ better than life before age 50. Wendi's "Spiritual Support for Weary Souls" Zoom group Nancy's "Make Bad Art" course Nancy's "Follow Your Curiosity" podcast with Wendi as guest Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

My six week Zoom Spiritual Support Group is one way to get support from people who don’t claim to know and teach the right answers. I’m passionate about creating safe spaces for honest conversations about spiritual doubts. I know how confusing and lonely it can be to reject religious beliefs because I’ve done it. And how hard it is to explain or even discuss that decision with family members and f...

Lori Bickel and I discuss how we changed our spiritual beliefs and help other people change theirs. My next Zoom Spiritual Support Group starts May 4. Use promo code MM and join by March 30 to save $30. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

My most powerful spiritual experiences weren't in churches. And I wanted to help people with spiritual questions find their own answers, not teach them the "right" answers. I still support and accompany people on spiritual journeys, but as their peer, not their pastor. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Wendi talks about why she's rejected some Christian teachings and how she helps people who question religious beliefs or leave faith communities. Wendi is a former pastor who believes Jesus taught and modeled love for everyone, especially marginalized people condemned by others. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe