Overwhelmed to Overcomer

Two weeks into the new year, are you already feeling uncertain about your calling and purpose? In this raw and honest episode, Anna tackles what she calls "the dirty little secret" about walking out your calling—it's hard. Really hard. Through powerful biblical examples and personal vulnerability, Anna explores how the very areas where we're called to serve and impact are often the most sanctified...

Feeling like your hair is constantly on fire? Homeschooling mom, business owner, or both—if you're tired of ending each day wondering what you actually accomplished, this episode is your lifeline. Join host Anna McLaughlin as she sits down with Kelly Leardon, founder of Walk Like Warriors and certified Director of Operations, for a transformative conversation about trading chaos for clarity. Kelly...

Welcome to the first day of 2026! In this powerful New Year's episode, Anna challenges the traditional approach to resolutions and invites listeners to shift their focus from multiple goals to one transformative commitment: glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. Rather than setting ourselves up for failure with countless resolutions, Anna encourages us to simply resolve—and when we fall, to reso...

In this beautiful Christmas episode, Anna reflects on the glory awaiting us and the profound truth that there are no ordinary people. Drawing from C.S. Lewis's "The Weight of Glory," she reminds us that every person we encounter—especially during the busy holiday season—carries eternal significance. Anna offers a tender reminder to fix our eyes on Jesus, lay down expectations, and love those aroun...

In this powerful episode, Anna addresses a critical truth that often gets overlooked: there are ditches on both sides of the road. While many of us struggle with saying yes to too much during the Christmas season (and beyond), there's an equally dangerous ditch on the other side—self-indulgence and isolation disguised as self-care. Anna challenges listeners to examine their hearts and discern whet...

In this insightful conversation, host Anna McLaughlin sits down with personality expert Marita Littauer to explore the four classical personality types and how understanding them can transform our relationships—especially during the busy holiday season. Marita, who grew up immersed in personality work through her mother Florence Littauer's legacy, shares practical wisdom on identifying personality...

Join host Anna McLaughlin in this heartfelt conversation with Joy Johnson, founder of The Joyful Fit Life and host of The Journey to Becoming Podcast. As we enter the busiest season of the year, this episode is a timely invitation to pause, breathe, and choose  being over doing . Joy and Anna explore the hidden costs of over-functioning, the power of emotional health, and how to create a "to-be li...

In this heartfelt Thanksgiving episode, Anna invites listeners to embrace the imperfect beauty of holiday gatherings with family and friends. Drawing from her personal experiences and her father's love of the Beatles, she explores the profound simplicity of the phrase "let it be" as a spiritual practice. Anna shares vulnerable stories about family dynamics, culinary disasters, and the precious nat...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Anna tackles an uncomfortable but transformative topic: the imperative necessity of obedience in our walk with Christ. Drawing from Andrew Murray's profound work "The True Vine" (Chapter 27, p. 128—from which this episode's title is directly quoted) and the biblical account of David and the Ark of the Covenant, Anna challenges listeners to examine whet...

In this powerful conversation, Anna McLaughlin sits down with Dan Nichols to discuss intentional discipleship in the home. Dan Nichols is a follower of Jesus, married to his best friend Joy, and father to Landon and Declan. He serves as Lead Pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship in Cortland, NY, and is the Founder/President of Northeast Collaborative, a regional church network. Dan holds a Doctor o...

In this powerful episode, Anna McLaughlin tackles one of the most painful human experiences: betrayal. Drawing from Malcolm Gladwell's book "Talking to Strangers" and Psalm 73, Anna explores why we often feel we "should have known" when someone betrays our trust, and why that belief is both psychologically understandable and untrue. She offers deep healing and hope for anyone carrying the weight o...

What do you do when the worst thing you can imagine actually happens? When prayers go unanswered and the pain feels unbearable? In this raw and powerful conversation, Anna sits down with JoBeth Polley, who was widowed at 32 and left to navigate grief while raising two adopted children and running a 120-acre cattle farm and construction company. JoBeth doesn't sugarcoat the journey—grief is dark, p...

In this heartfelt anniversary special, Anna celebrates 15 years of marriage by sharing honest reflections on her journey from a wounded young woman with broken templates for love to building a thriving covenant marriage. With vulnerability and humor, she recounts early marriage mishaps (including a thrown suitcase and the "cuddling crisis"), and offers practical wisdom for navigating conflict, sta...

Join host Anna McLaughlin in this inspiring conversation with Jennifer Bosma, author, podcaster, and former educator, who radiates joy and encouragement. Jennifer shares her powerful journey of pursuing God-given dreams despite delays, rejections, and life's busy seasons. From waiting 26 years to publish her first children's book to stepping into ministry through pregnancy centers and podcasting,...

In the wake of tragedy and loss, how do we move forward with purpose? This episode explores the profound gift of individual life and calling, especially during seasons of uncertainty and grief. Anna reflects on the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk and wrestles with questions of impact, comparison, and faithful stewardship. Through the lens of Mary Oliver's poetry, the parable of the talents, a...

In this powerful episode, Anna sits down with Matt Morizio, a financial advisor, entrepreneur, father of seven, and former professional athlete who launched his own wealth management firm at age 40. Matt shares his transformative journey from living in financial fear to discovering true stewardship through faith. This conversation breaks down the taboos around money in the church and provides prac...

In this solo episode, Anna McLaughlin explores what true success looks like through a Christian lens, drawing insights from Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers" to examine how opportunity and faithfulness intersect in our spiritual journey. She challenges the common narrative that success comes from innate talent alone, revealing how both divine opportunities and our response to them shape our path of fa...

When your child is struggling with mental health challenges, the weight of worry and helplessness can feel overwhelming. In this powerful conversation, Anna McLaughlin sits down with Jen Robb, author of "Warrior Mom Rising," to discuss the raw realities of supporting a child through anxiety, depression, and self-harm. Jen shares her deeply personal journey with her daughter Chloe's mental health c...

In this episode, Anna McLaughlin shares why she believes Atomic Habits by James Clear is the secular book every Christian needs in their arsenal. She breaks down how the principles in this book can help believers systematize faithful stewardship and actually create lasting change in their spiritual lives and daily habits. Anna explores the neuroscience behind habit formation, using Pavlov's dog ex...

Join Anna McLaughlin as she reconnects with longtime friend Cristi Slate in this inspiring conversation about creativity, motherhood, and pursuing dreams at any stage of life. After 16 years of friendship, Cristi shares her transformative journey from participating in an "artist recovery program" to becoming a published author. Her story will encourage anyone who has set aside their creative dream...

In this powerful episode of Overwhelmed to Overcomer, Anna McLaughlin tackles one of the biggest barriers to living a fruitful life: perfectionism. Inspired by a listener request, Anna unpacks the heavy burden of perfectionism and provides biblical insight into what Christ actually means when He calls us to be "perfect." Anna reveals how perfectionism keeps us stuck in inaction, drawing parallels...

In this inspiring and faith-filled episode, Anna McLaughlin sits down with Mike Gutowsk i—global executive recruiter, actor, ministry leader, and personal trainer—to explore how to live with bold faith, integrity, and purpose as God's uniquely valuable creation. Mike shares remarkable stories from his life, including placing executives for Warren Buffett, sharing Christ on the set of Wonder Woman...

Feeling discouraged? Stuck in a cycle of consuming without creating? In this heartfelt episode, Anna shares a profound piece of wisdom that came to her at just the right moment—a letter from her father written almost 30 years ago containing life-changing advice about recognizing and honoring our God-given gifts. Anna explores the balance between giving and receiving, why we often get trapped in "d...

In this wisdom-filled episode, Anna McLaughlin welcomes ministry leader and father of three,  Josh Poteet , to talk about intentional parenting as discipleship . With over 11 years of ministry experience, Josh offers grace-filled guidance for parents feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to lead their families spiritually. They discuss how to move from reactive survival mode to purpose-driven parentin...

n this powerful episode, Anna McLaughlin invites listeners into a guided visualization that challenges the lie that we need more training, degrees, or resources to step into our God-given purpose. Through personal testimony and Biblical wisdom, she explores how our dreams and callings are held not by the supports we think we need, but in the hands of God himself. This episode encourages believers...