The Stand Strong Podcast

Mike Stoker my husband joins me today as he tells about running and what he learned about going at a slower pace.

Waking early one morning, I had a very bright recollection of my experience in Mexico that I told about in episode #34.  Curious about why it came so clearly and repeatedly-- in detail-- I then remembered my prayer the day before about what I needed to repent of.  And the Lord provided  a couple of beautiful healing experiences for me.

During a stay at a medical facility in Mexico I learned about my preacher friend Art and his capacity to love, serve and heal.  And I learned that a heart full of judgement would keep me from doing the same.

When faced with a circumstance or situation that you find undesirable my leadership coach Dan Duckworth says that you have three choices: 1. Leave it, 2. Engage in the struggle and try to change it, or 3. Accept it and bear it.  But the real question is, "Will you do it poorly or well?"

Processing grief to experience less pain and suffering after the loss of a loved one,

I have been earnestly watching to see the miracles in my life as a key to strengthening my spirituality.  The more I acknowledge the miracles, especially in my struggles, the more miracles seem to come my way.  Listen in on some stories of how the passing of our daughter produced many miracles.

Our oldest daughter has passed away from cancer the end of March and I am experiencing a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Spending time outside during Covid doing yard work improved the mental health of the missionaries in a former mission leader's mission. Instead of a full day of doing missionary work online this mission spent only 45 minutes per missionary.  The rest of the time they worked outside doing service projects for the members of their community.   The results were remarkable bringing the number of...

This podcast is a shout out to that army of stay home moms.  Not to diminish the incredible contribution that women who work are making in the world but really just to bring much more awareness to the skill set and contribution that stay home moms make. I learned that my friend had a degree in astrophysics.  Listen to what she says when people would ask "What are you doing with your degree?&q...

Goals are easily set but often we find it difficult to see them through to the end.   In this episode I point out 3 important steps to be successful in achieving your goals. And September is naturally a perfect time to set goals.  Listen in on why. Reference to the book "The Power of Everyday Missionaries" by Clayton M. Christensen https://everydaymissionaries.org/

Retreat update:  I spoke today to Melanie who is creating a playlist for our retreat using Christian worship music-- and I couldn't be more pleased.  Register today for the Leading Saints Women's retreat September 15-18. One of my main passions is to assist moms in moving out of taking action from blame and feeling like a victim.  And instead start acting from the power of being aware of...

Whitney Johnson is coming to the retreat!! Leading Saints founder Kurt Francom and Dan Duckworth from the Board of Directors have gathered a phenomenal group of women to speak and lead discussions at the retreat.   I have a few stories of singing in Primary, talking to my bishop and sorting out how to find a way out of mom guilt.  Listen in...

I have three sweet stories about our daughter Paige when she stood to bear her testimony. The stories around what brought her to testify are very real and raw.  One of those being when she was a kindergartener that involved fingernail polish and a bus ride.  Sometimes we might not give much notice to a young child repeating words of others while bearing their testimony.  But Paige's were sinc...

The Leading Saints Women's Retreat food planning has been very exciting.  I am a certified health coach and I recognize the value of having yummy healthy food.  It helps us think, process and feel good.  All reasons to eat well during a retreat where we have much to accomplish. In listening to the story again of Alma the Younger having the experience of being converted and then totally changi...

The Song of Our Syrian Guest is an explanation of Psalm 23, "The Lord is My Shepherd" It's written by William Allen Knight and published in 1904. I just got back from Houston Texas where we celebrated with a second wedding reception for our daughter and her new husband.  Some of his family friends gifted us passes to their zip line park Geronimo.  On the last platform you had to ste...

Just finished a call where we were planning more details of the upcoming Leading Saints women's retreat.  Soon we will announce more speakers and facilitators-- some incredible women that I can't wait to tell you about.  When I get the green light on that I will immediately let you know who they are.  In the meantime keep watching for the emails and posts to Leading Saints instagram stor...

Check out LeadingSaints.org/Gathering to register for the upcoming Women's Retreat in Bear Lake Utah September 15-18, 2022. Some of you will be old enough to remember the year 1975. Here is a little trivia about that year: The Vietnam war came to an end Saturday Night Live premiered on NBC Strawberries sold for 29 cents a pound Postage stamps were 13 cents each And Captain and Tennille sang &...

Chief Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon had his people the Nephites create huge walls of earth around their cities for protection from the Lamanites.  They would defend these walls or boundaries by standing on top of the wall and shooting down any Lamanite trespassers. Can you imagine what would happen if they had these amazing walls put up creating a wonderful defense but then didn't do a...

Coming up this fall is a Leading Saints Women's Retreat at Bear Lake Utah.  I"ll be hosting that retreat and you can learn more about it next week on the podcast. We read the background story of King Limhi and his oppressed people in The Book of Mormon.  King Limhi had been raised by a very wicked father King Noah and his people were now in subjection to the high taxes and the threat of...

When we utilize the Six Sources of Influence designed by the social scientists who wrote the book Change Anything, we truly can change any behavior we want to change.   I apply these six sources to my Stop Overeating program to create success.   I employed all six to get myself into great financial shape and you can too!   Listen in as I describe them and give ideas on what to do.

We know that loving relationships are a key to our physical, emotional and spiritual health.  Did you catch that?  Our physical... health.  Not just our emotional health.  And our spiritual health too. These are 5 strategies to help create friendships several of which come from the workbook "Finding Strength In the Lord: Emotional Resilience". #1 To start out we take a look at improving...

Karri is creating a 4 month workshop beginning next week to help clients stop overeating as a way to comfort themselves and buffer/avoid discomfort and pain.   We often head for the pantry for a snack or we take extra helpings at meals or we eat more treats than we ought.  This is because those things give us a dopamine hit and dopamine feels good!  Only its just a cover up. In this 4 month progra...

Thoughts about Jacob 5. An upcoming hike encouraged my husband and I to help each other prepare for it.  As I train by running and walking my legs are a little sore but I am getting stronger. In the Book of Mormon we read the "Olive Tree Allegory" in Jacob chapter 5.  One day years ago I had a question:  "What do these verses have to do with Primary?"   As I studied those scrip...

The Book of Mormon in Helaman 3:29 talks about the "everlasting gulf of misery".  But before that it talks about how we can be led over that gulf on a narrow path (bridge maybe) through the Word of God.   Karri experienced this through coaching herself from misery to confidence.   Coaching works!  Listen to Karri's story and how the scriptures support the process of change (repentan...

The tree designed and taught by Stacy Harmer is a beautiful analogy of how to bring health and vitality to your life.  Examining the different parts of the tree we learn the 7 steps to vibrant living: Nourishing the roots-- body, heart, mind, and soul; setting up systems and structure as seen in the trunk of the tree; finding our purpose and passion-- branching out; and then finally the fruit-- sh...