Deep Breath

Michelle & Tina want you to know about a virtual group coach experience beginning October 10th for 6 weeks. Discover a thriving wellness community dedicated to empowering women like you. Listen to this short episode to hear more about this wellness journey. In this episode we talk about how overwhelm can cause us to freeze in our wellness journey. We want to set you up for success before the h...

Michelle & Tina want you to know about a virtual group health coach experience beginning October 10th for 6 weeks. Discover a thriving wellness community dedicated to empowering women like you. Listen to this short episode to hear more about this wellness journey that will help you understand your unique body holistically, uncover the root causes of unwanted symptoms or health concerns, and re...

There are many ways God speaks to us, but our bodies, which He created and called "good" is one of those ways. And yet, we often ignore the signals our bodies give us. Our body is where the Spirit resides (I Corinthians 6:19). As Barbara Brown Taylor says, "....trust the body to enlighten the soul." What if we stop to ask what God is trying to tell us through our body's sig...

It is with sadness that we announce this is our final "official" Deep Breath episode (although there may be some announcements here and even a meditation or lectio divina from time to time). In this final episode you'll hear: A message from Lexie Why we've decided to discontinue new episodes and what is next An encouragement to practice the disciplines in community Some reflectio...

This is #3 in the Joy Summer Trilogy and again, Lisa Ostreim joins the podcast to chat about the true meaning of joy, where it originates and this idea of fueling your joy when it seems dormant. Is it possible to feel joy without Christ? We share some practical ways to travel that "on ramp" back to joy if you're feeling you've lost it. Quotes and definition of happiness and joy f...

Here's #2 in our Joy Summer Trilogy . This week Lisa Ostreim interviews Michelle about where she finds joy, even in trials. How does she recover her joy? This interview is both practical and relatable. Leave a voicemail for us and tell us where you've been finding joy recently and your voice will be in #3 of the Trilogy next week! (See the link below) Scripture referenced: Ecclesiastes 5:1...

This is the first episode in the Joy Summer Trilogy . This first episode covers Joy vs. Happiness. What's the difference? Is joy connected to pain or sadness? It's not easy to define joy. Here's just a few thoughts, particularly from the saints that have gone before us. Coming up in the Joy series: Lisa interviews Michelle regarding joy in her life and we hear from you, our listeners a...

Summer is in full swing in the Pacific Northwest. Wondering if you find yourself scrambling to fit it all in, including some rest and play, but finding yourself exhausted and empty at the end. Is it possible to create a rhythm for our summer that takes into account our work, our season of life, our need for play and rest, and our desire to connect with God? I'll share some examples and walk yo...

So much in this episode: God and time, the evolution of clocks, slowness, and the gifts those with disabilities bring us. Amazingly, these subjects all flow together and cause us to take a challenging look at the way we view both time and those with disabilities. After all, we will all grow into disability as time moves on. It's only a matter of time. Discover what role the Benedictine monks had t...

A short lectio divina and reflective meditation for when you feel dry and thirst for more of God. Where are those places that feel dry? This reading will be from Psalm 63:1-8. Other verses that are great for those dry times are: Psalms 42:2, Psalms 107:9, Psalms 143:6. Grab a quiet place and maybe a journal and sit and drench your Spirit in God's Word and His presence. Book reference and episo...

We play games with the diets we've tried over the years. There are ways to cheat and checklists to keep. This episode is about how NOT to do the same thing with your spiritual life. This is for the "doers" out there who feel they don't quite measure up unless they do more. Those who don't feel enough. What if there's another way to look at it? What if all our mundane and...

What is meant by Praying the Psalms? How do you actually do it? How can this practice awaken your prayer life? Sometimes we don't have words to pray, but saints throughout the years, including Jesus, have been praying the words of the Psalms. They give us language when we have none. Here's four ways to pray the Psalms and then Psalm 27 is read over you. We hope this episode helps you &quot...

It's Spring in the northwest and there's plenty to smell, touch, taste, hear and see. I'll walk you through a short meditation to help wake up all your senses, leaving you feeling fully alive and alert. To get the full experience, here's some tips: * You might want to grab something that delights your tastebuds and something that smells good * If possible be outside barefoot in the...

Today's episode is a very short blessing/prayer for all women, no matter where you find yourself today. Henri Nouwen says, "The blessings that we give to each other are expressions of the blessing that rests on us from all eternity. It is the deepest affirmation of our true self." There have been more moments in our life when we've been cursed in our life than blessed. I'd li...

Maybe you've been having a lot of conversations with friends about aging, as I have. I'll share with you some thoughts and revelations I've had as I ponder getting older. And I'll also share some thoughts from authors I've been reading. Finally, I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful spiritual practices that can be so helpful to consider as we get older. I think you'll...

Spiritual direction is just one of the practices that foster attentiveness to the movements of the Spirit in your life. The word "direction" can cause misconceptions. Lisa helps clear that up and shares how spiritual direction can be a place for you to bring all the big and little stuff and sift it in the presence of God with a companion. In this episode we talk about the unique dialect...

Whether you automatically resist new habits or goal setting or you are a chart-your-progress-person, this episode will inspire you to look at your habits and intentions from a place of love and grace. Why do we often resist goals and trying new things? And what happens when we fail or fall of the tracks? Can this idea of mini habits apply to our spiritual practices and desires? In this episode wit...

This is a special interview with LaFaye Tapper on some very practical topics that involve integrating our biological, social, psychological (emotion, mind, will) parts as a holistic being and a path for healing. What practices are helpful in this holistic journey? Where does our spirituality fit in with all these parts of our being? You'll thoroughly enjoy LaFaye's down-to-earth illustrati...

Michelle interviews Stacy LeBrun of Rooted in Love Yoga about all things yoga. We talk about making yoga accessible to everyone, with freedom to explore. Our conversation covers yoga as self care, embodied worship and prayer, and moving emotion through your body. Over half of Stacy's classes are in rehab or trauma centers, so she approaches her classes with the idea of building strength (not only...

Today's practice involves your body, your breath, prayer and letting go. The body is a true member of our spiritual journey. Your body is a sacred space where communion with God can take place. If you've been holding your breath, collecting tension in your body, trying to fix and control things around you, then I invite you to bring your entire self to this practice and rest "in the fortress of Hi...

We know our listeners will enjoy this interview with Elizabeth Peterson of Commune Soul Care. Elizabeth is both a spiritual director and a yoga instructor. Naturally, the interview covers a lot of spiritual practices, but the way she describes holding sacred space for others by marrying spiritual direction and yoga together is quite unique. As icing on the cake, at the end of this episode, Elizabe...

To be truly listened to is a gift of hospitality for your soul. Our conversation on listening revolves around this idea that to be truly present and listen means we may have to slow down and set aside our own agenda for the conversation. Inspired by the book, The Listening Life (by Adam S. McHugh), we review what kinds of listening may not be so helpful and contrast that with the idea of being ful...

It's about halfway thru Lent and we're checking-in with how things are going. Reframing Lent as 'creating space for God' has had a deep impact on why and how we are (or are not!) practicing a 40 day fast. Through wondering, "what is my motivation?", we have been discovering different ways to observe this season of reflection. Listen to our interviews with K.C. Ireton "Lent: Creating Space for God"...

P.I.E.S. is personal check-in method to notice and name how your really doing at any given moment. It's a short practice you can do at any time and one you may find you want to do on a regular basis. In this episode, we invite you to try-it-on as Lexie guides you through the question: how am I doing Physically Intellectually Emotionally and Spiritually. Listen to our last episode for a more indept...

It can be hard to recognize how you're REALLY doing. And there are so many reasons we choose to ignore how we're showing up. But if we practice with bravery, then naming how we're doing (on all levels) it is empowering. P.I.E.S. is a way to invite the question (and get the real answers) to: "how am I doing... for real?" Listen in to learn more!