Encouragement for Real Life

"Follow your heart." We hear this saying often, don't we? But is this wise advice? Sure, these three words can inspire us to pursue our dreams and to carry out what we feel called to do. Yet, they can also take us to places that aren't God's best for us. Today we are uncovering why this popular mantra can lead us astray and what we can do instead to live a purposeful, God-centered life. We will le...

You know that friend who you can count on no matter what? She knows everything about you and still loves you anyway? Well our first podcast guest of 2025 is Julie's best friend since her youth, Tina Herring. She's Julie's BFFL--Best Friend For Life! What Julie's loves the most about Tina is her authentic life and faith. You'll be inspired and encouraged through her words! Join encourager, Julie Le...

If you're wondering what your purpose on this earth is, you're not alone. Julie says in this episode it's one of the most common questions she gets from women today. It's so important, Julie dedicates an entire episode to this subject and walks us through practical steps in identifying our purpose and why it's important. Listen in to be encouraged! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday mor...

Do you live your life intentionally? Do you live according to your personal values and beliefs, and do you make choices in life that reflect those values and beliefs? We discuss how to do this in this episode, and Julie shares with us four practical steps to live intentionally every day.  Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life righ...

How do you begin a new year? We're already seven days into it, and now matter how we began, it's a good day to reflect and readjust if needed. You'll have the opportunity to do so in this episode! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insi...

We wind down 2024 with this month's guest episode. Our guest is long-time friend and beautiful encourager, Kelly Blackwell. We talk about everything from her life, to the gift of being a noticer, to beginning the new year. Kelly's words will inspire and encourage you! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh...

Feeling weary today? The Christmas carol we are pondering reminds us of the hope we have in Jesus--a thrill of hope, in fact. Just in time for Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all...

Away in a Manger is a classic Christmas carol, filled with hope and promise. It's the basis for this episode as we pause and ponder it and how its message can inspire us during this holiday season. May it encourage your heart today! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthe...

This is the second episode in our new series inspired by the timeless lyrics of biblically-based Christmas carols. Whether you’re feeling weary, searching for stillness, or simply longing to connect with God this holiday season, these episodes will encourage your heart and point you back to Him. Today we're finding calm and brightness in this season and how to live in both all month long. Join enc...

This December, join me for a special podcast series inspired by the timeless lyrics of biblically-based Christmas carols. Together, we’ll reflect on the profound truths hidden in these songs, discover how they speak to our everyday struggles, and embrace the hope, peace, and joy that Christ brings. Whether you’re feeling weary, searching for stillness, or simply longing to connect with God this ho...

It's our guest episode for the month, and joining me today is friend and fellow writer, Marnie Hammar. Marnie's shares her wisdom and words full of hope and encouragement with us, spurring us on to find moments of stillness to hear God's voice. You'll be so glad you tuned in! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through...

Are you walking through some sort of discomfort today, or do you know someone who is? Discomfort is a part of this life, but we don't have to just muddle through it. We can stay encouraged through it. Learn how in this episode. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted...

When we put our trust in God, we often think our lives will be smooth sailing from that point on. But actually, it's then the adventure begins! God doesn't call us to live comfortable lives, even though that may be our desire. He calls us to follow Him. Sometimes that makes us very uncomfortable. Listen in to find hope if you're living in discomfort today. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tue...

Discomfort. No one likes it. We'd rather stay in our comfy spaces if we could choose, right? Is staying comfortable always what's best for us though? We're expanding our thinking and perspectives on discomfort in this episode. We may just walk away with a renewed appreciation for what's uncomfortable. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your r...

In our guest episode this month, I'm sharing my recent conversation with Natalie Ogbourne, my friend, fellow Iowan, and brand new author of her book Waking Up in the Wilderness . We discuss much in this episode, and I believe Natalie and her words will encourage your heart and inspire your soul. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real li...

We each could use some encouragement every now and then, right? After seeing and talking to numerous women who are overwhelmed, discouraged, worn out and weary lately, Julie dedicates this entire episode to encouraging us in our faith. Don't miss this episode. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-f...

Do you, like many of us, feel as if time is speeding by too fast? Julie shares in this episode three simple ways to slow down time. They might not be what you expect, but they will make a difference in our lives when it comes to time. Take a listen! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled persp...

The stats on our society's health is alarming today, and the numbers are motivating many to make some changes. Including Julie. She intentionally began an adventure in her health four years ago, and in this episode she shares what she's learned, some changes she's made with her health, and where she is with it all today. May this episode encourage you in your own health. Join encourager, Julie Lef...

When life goes well or becomes upended, who do you go to first? God or something or someone else? Julie shares a personal story in today's episode of how God reminded her this summer through bugs (of all things!) to go to Him first. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthe...

Some days we could use a dose of hope. If this is you today, you've come to the right place. Author, outdoors girl, and fellow Iowan, Julie Sunne, joins the podcast to share hope when life's struggles weigh you down. Her words will inspire you! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspectiv...

God can use anything to teach us a lesson, and in this episode, Julie shares how He used her mother-of-the-groom dress to awaken her to the reality of focus. Namely focusing on earthly or heavenly things. This is our choice. What are we focused on today? Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled ...

We desire each day to be memorable, right? But some just stand out above the rest of them. Like Julie's son's recent wedding. She shares in this episode what she did to prepare herself to stay fully present on that day to be able to recall fond memories of it for years to come. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now throu...

Julie did something uncharacteristic of her this summer. She rested, and she shares the details in this episode: of how God called her, her response, what she learned, and how she's moving forward now. What is God calling you to do today? May this inspire you in your current circumstances! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life rig...

In our guest episode this month you'll be inspired to embrace an abundant life of overcoming stress through Julie's guest, Barb Roose! It's a powerful conversation of hope, real life, and overcoming overwhelm. You won't want to miss this one. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective,...

A life of joy and abundance. Sounds wonderful doesn't it? In this episode we take a look at what a life of abundance is and how we can live one. It may be different than you think! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in abou...