Lives of Courage with Jessica Stong

In this inspiring episode of "Lives of Courage," we delve into the transformative power of social connections and their essential role in our well-being. Discover the scientific and emotional facets of why we are inherently wired to seek connections, hear personal stories that highlight the profound impact of robust social ties, and learn practical ways to foster and deepen these vital r...

In this enlightening episode of the "Lives of Courage" podcast, host Jessica Stong dives deep into the transformative power of courageous self-love and self-acceptance. Unpack the essence of embracing our authentic selves in a world that often values conformity and outward success. Discover why turning inward and fostering a compassionate relationship with oneself is not just an act of b...

In this episode of "Lives of Courage," we delve into the soul-stirring query of our existence, inspired by Billie Eilish's reflective lyrics in "What Was I Made For." As Eilish contemplates, "I used to know but I'm not sure now, What I was made for," we find ourselves at the heart of a shared human experience—questioning our path and earnestly seeking our true...

In this compelling episode of Lives of Courage, we delve into the profound and often misunderstood world of desire. Inspired by the rich insights of Trevor Hudson's "Seeking God" and complemented by the deep explorations in Curt Thompson's "The Soul of Desire," we embark on a journey to understand the true essence of our heart's longings. Desire is more than mere wa...

In this enlightening episode, we delve deep into the second pillar of the Cycle of Courage: Connection. Often overlooked but crucially important, Connection serves as the relational backbone that amplifies our capacity for courage. Discover the three key aspects of Connection—connecting with oneself, others, and God—and how they serve as catalysts for courageous actions. Join us as we explore acti...

In today's fast-paced world, stress and burnout are becoming the norm rather than the exception. So how do we push the 'reset' button on our mental well-being? This episode explores the concept of a 'Mental Health Day'—what it is, why you desperately need one, and how to plan it effectively. Host Jessica Stong dives into the science-backed benefits of taking a day off solely fo...

In this compelling episode of "The Lives of Courage Podcast," we delve deep into the transformative power of emotions with our episode titled "Feel It to Heal It." We explore the four common pathways people take when faced with uncomfortable emotions: Distract, Shut It Down, Overreact, and Feel the Feeling. Each option comes with its own set of challenges and outcomes, but only...

In this profound episode of the Lives of Courage podcast, Jessica Stong delves deep into the intricate realm of cognition, a foundational pillar of the Cycle of Courage. Journey with Jessica as she unravels how our thoughts not only shape our emotions and actions but also sculpt the outcomes we experience in life. Drawing from the transformative TEAR process from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, this...

In this today's episode, we dive deep into the profound mutual growth that occurs between a guide and their clients. From transformative stories of resilience and empathy to the unexpected ways clients have served as teachers, this episode is a celebration of the shared human journey. Tune in to explore the interwoven paths of lessons, gratitude, and mutual growth, reminding us that in the dan...

In this episode, Jessica dives deep into the ancient concept of 'embodied shalom'—a holistic peace that permeates our body and every action, thought, and emotion. Discover how this profound experience intertwines with courage, the steps to integrate it into our daily rhythm, and a transformative weekly challenge to help listeners embark on the bravest journey of all: the one within. Show N...

Episode Summary: Dive into the complex relationship between anxiety and courage, unraveling their historical context, understanding modern triggers, and discovering ways to navigate this emotional landscape. In today's episode, we dive deep into the intricate interplay of anxiety and courage. In a world filled with constant notifications, pressures, and rapid change, anxiety seems to have foun...

In this heartwarming episode of the Lives of Courage podcast, join us for a delightful conversation with Theo, a bright and curious 7-year-old, as he explores the world of boredom and play with his parent, Jess. Together, they delve into the fascinating topic of why being bored can actually be a good thing! Theo and Jess candidly share their experiences with moments of boredom and how it has spark...

Welcome to another invigorating episode of "Lives of Courage with Jessica Stong." This week, we are delving into the captivating concept of the Healthy Mind Platter, a mental wellness model formulated by renowned experts Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Dr. David Rock. Tune in to explore the seven essential activities that promote a balanced and thriving mind in today's fast-paced world. Dis...

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, Jess peels back the layers of an imposter self, wrestling with anxiety and depression, revealing a story that resonates with our shared human experience. Through the wisdom of Brennan Manning, Jessica explores the "unaffected heart" - a state of dispassion that can creep into our lives, resulting in underused talents, buried hopes, and an i...

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the hidden depths of our identities, exploring the imposter that lurks within us all and the shadow self that we often ignore. Drawing on the profound insights of Brennan Manning's "Abba's Child" and Thomas Merton's wisdom, we discuss how our false self can blind us to our true potential and hinder our connection with our highe...

In this meaningful episode, we explore the concept of the 'Wounded Healer' as described by spiritual guides Henri Nouwen and Brennan Manning.  Drawing on Nouwen’s transformative idea that our deepest wounds could be a source of healing for ourselves and others, we delve into how struggles can lead to a profound understanding of our shared humanity. Jess dives in to how this work has change...

Welcome to this week's episode! In this installment, we delve into the vital topic of emotional well-being and the transformative power of self-care habits. Life's journey presents us with ups and downs, and it's crucial to recognize that it's okay to not always feel okay. Our host, Jessica, shares her personal experiences and insights on maintaining emotional health while navigati...

Welcome to the Lives of Courage podcast, where we explore the transformative power of emotions and their profound impact on our lives. In this episode, we delve into the concept of emotional clarity and its role in guiding us towards personal growth and positive change. Join your host, Jessica Stong, as she uncovers the secrets to understanding and embracing our emotions. Episode Highlights: The M...

In this episode, we delve into the encouraging (and unfiltered!) world of the Psalms. The Psalms have long been a source of comfort, guidance, and inspiration; these biblical prayers and hymns offer solace during trying times, inspire courage in the face of fear, and foster a deeper relationship with God. They offer ways for us to empower our prayer lives, providing us with the courage and strengt...

In this powerful episode of Lives of Courage, we delve into a fascinating conversation about rewriting our stories and how fear can be transformed into a tool for personal growth. What You'll Learn: Understanding fear as a natural human emotion. Recognizing and breaking free from fear-induced patterns. How to consciously shift focus from fear to more productive thoughts. Reflecting on areas in...

In this episode of Lives of Courage, host Jessica Stong takes you on a transformative journey as she explores the practical application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in everyday life. Discover how integrating CBT principles can empower your mindset, improve your mental well-being, and help you navigate life's challenges with resilience and strength. Through tools and exercises, CBT hel...

Welcome to another episode in the Mental Health Matters Series. Today, we tackle a sensitive yet crucial topic that affects countless lives around the world: youth suicide. This episode aims to shed light on the complex factors that contribute to this devastating issue, while also exploring strategies and resources for promoting mental health. Join us as we shatter the silence and engage in a comp...

Welcome back to another episode the Mental Health Matters series during May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. I’m honored to discuss some of the crucial issues surrounding mental well-being. Today we're diving into a topic that needs careful consideration: breaking the blame game. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of blaming parents for their children's mental health diagnoses...

Join me as I discuss the facts and statistics for Mental Health Awareness Month - celebrated every May since 1949!! It's so important for us to educate ourselves and others about the importance of taking care of our mental health. This year, Mental Health Awareness Month is more critical than ever, as the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our daily lives and created a significant amount of stres...

It's time we start talking about our mental health. And let's be honest, this episode has been a long time coming. It's my time to share. So here's my raw, unedited, unscripted (of course) story of my family's current journey. I'm scared and filled with shame but I'm going to choose courage. I accept this is part of my story. And I just pray it helps one person. If you...