Today's Heartlift with Janell

Send us a text Sarah Boyd, child development expert and author of "Turn Down the Noise: A Practical Guide to Building an Emotionally Healthy Family in a Chronically Overstimulated World," joins me for a profound conversation about building emotionally healthy families in our chronically overstimulated world. Despite increasing awareness about resilience and mental health, anxiety and dep...

Send us a text As we enter the 40-day season of Lent, author and pastor Aubrey Sampson helps us uncover the spiritual wisdom and "strange gifts" that often hide inside grief. In her new book, "What We Find in the Dark: Loss, Hope, and God's Presence in Grief," Aubrey shares how losing her best friend of twenty years sent her into a dark night of the soul. She shares, &quot...

Send us a text "At the heart of every why question beats a desire for healing and rebuilding, a yearning to find purpose and fulfillment once again" (Sanders). In When Your World Ends , author Dawn Mann Sanders digs deep into the creation story and unearths a seven-step process by which God brings us out of the void of grief and loss and invites us into creativity and new beginnings. Wit...

Send us a text This episode delves into the pivotal role of mothers and family members in navigating crises with compassion and care. Join Janell and Jennifer S. Ripley, author of "Ministering to Families in Crisis: The Essential Guide for Nurturing Mental and Emotional Health," discussing the importance of nurturing in building resilient family systems. • Highlighting the power of nurtu...

Send us a text "Bakers can commit their entire lives to learning the craft of bread and still find new nuances of flavor and texture every time they bake. This simultaneous simplicity and complexity is, in many ways, much like the life of faith." -Kendall Vanderslice   This episode delves into the powerful connections between mothering, baking, and spirituality, offering the invitation t...

Send us a text “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation" (James Faust). What started as a book project became the podcast's focus in 2025. In today's episode, I share why mothering matters. Together, we uncover the foundational role that maternal figures play in shaping a child's lif...

Send us a text *Our final episode from the archives of 2018! As we begin our year-long journey about "Mothering for the Ages." Today, we open a conversation about the third heartbeat of our heartlifting journey toward being an emotionally healthy mama: strong communication skills.  The past three episodes from 2018 were from the first phase of this podcast's history: Speak Healing W...

Send us a text From the Archives: April 2019 While visiting Grandbirds in Uruguay, Janell revisits three foundational episodes, starting today with Episode 34 from April 2019. This week is Episode 35 from April 2019. Working from her second book, Overcoming Hurtful Words: Rewrite Your Story , Janell introduces the foundation of The Heartlift Method. Join Janell on this replay of her three-week min...

Send us a text From the Archives: April 2019 While visiting Grandbirds in Uruguay, Janell revisits three foundational episodes, starting today with Episode 34 from April 2019. Working from her second book, Overcoming Hurtful Words: Rewrite Your Story , Janell introduces the foundation of The Heartlift Method. Join Janell on this replay of her three-week mini-series on the three-fold cord of emotio...

Send us a text I am replaying this beautiful, foundational episode from 2023 as we begin journeying through the world of mothering in 2025. After decades of mothering my children and students, I've concluded one valuable truth: Everything comes down to love. A beautiful chapter to reflect on is 1 John 4. Take it line by line. I pray that you grasp the depths of God's love for you this ye...

Send us a text "It only takes one line of poetry to change your life." - David Whyte As we enter the new year, I reflected on the emotional journey of 2024—filled with personal milestones, like the joy of welcoming new grandchildren and the challenges of navigating our growing family dynamics. Join me as I share these experiences and unravel the wisdom gleaned from David Whyte's &qu...

Send us a text Imagine a world where simple acts of kindness create sanctuaries of warmth and safety for all. Join me as I sit down with Liz Bell Young, the inspiring author of "Let There Be Havens: An Invitation to Gentle Hospitality." Together, we uncover the profound impact of "beaming"—a small yet powerful gesture of kindness that can make others feel valued and secure. As...

Send us a text Today’s episode explores the concept of functional atheism, where believers live as if God is absent in their daily lives. Mindy Caliguire reflects on her journey through struggle and vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of shifting our perspectives to recognize God's presence, especially during challenging times. • Understanding functional atheism and its implications • T...

Send us a text "What is the state of your soul?" asks Mindy Caliguire, the insightful author of "Ignite Your Soul: When Exhaustion, Isolation, and Burnout Light a Path to Flourishing." Together, we embark on a profound journey through the landscape of soul care, emphasizing the importance of tending to our spiritual well-being beyond salvation. Mindy shares her transformative e...

Send us a text “Intense love does not measure; it just gives.” -Mother Teresa Have you ever wondered how embracing vulnerability can lead to transformative healing? Join us as we chat with Russell Joyce, the insightful author of "His Face Like Mine," who shares his personal journey of receiving God's deep love and radical acceptance. Russell bravely recounts the pivotal moment when...

Send us a text Embark on a heartfelt journey with us as we welcome Alastair Stern, author of "Longing for Joy: An Invitation into the Goodness and Beauty of Life." In today's episode, we navigate the challenging landscape of depression, guided by a personal narrative that sheds light on the simmering presence of mental health struggles and the path to healing. The discussion highlig...

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Send us a text "You have more value than the purpose set for you." -Reverand Chris Lee, Know You are Beloved As the world grapples with the complexities of modern life, we turn to the timeless wisdom of the Desert Fathers. These ancient Christian monks offer profound insights into how solitude, prayer, and spiritual discipline can help us navigate societal shifts and find peace amidst ch...

Send us a text Have you ever considered the stories etched into your skin and heart as sacred testimonies? Dr. Michelle Bengtson joins us to explore the concept of "sacred scars," emphasizing how they reflect our healing journey and God's grace. Through personal anecdotes and poignant reflections, we examine how physical and emotional wounds remind us of resilience and divine love....

Send us a text Imagine a life where each moment is a gift, not a task to check off. Discover the freedom of time through the inspiring insights of Jen Pollock Michel as we discuss her latest book, "In Good Time: Eight Habits for Reimagining Productivity, Resisting Hurry, and Practicing Peace." If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the relentless march of time, Jen's perspective wi...

Send us a text What if trustworthiness was the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of faith? Join us as we engage with Dr. Ben Shaw, the author of "Trustworthy: 13 Arguments for the Reliability of the New Testament," who shares his fascinating journey from a curious child passionate about ice hockey to a devoted follower of Christ. Through Ben's unique path, we uncover the profo...

Send us a text What happens when we truly listen to the signals our bodies send us? Dr. Chuck DeGroat joins us for a transformative conversation on healing, self-awareness, and spiritual connection, inspired by his latest book, "Healing What's Within: Coming Home to Yourself When You're Wounded, Weary, and Wandering." Together, we explore the powerful metaphor of an inner dashb...

Send us a text What if you could transform your grief into a reservoir of strength and joy? Join us as we sit down with LaTan Roland Murphy, author of "His Strength, Her Joy," to explore the profound theme of repositioning our lives for greater impact and fulfillment. LaTan shares her personal journey of leaning into a deeper faith experience in order to be a voice in her spheres of infl...

Send us a text What happens when life's unexpected trials leave us feeling drained and unmotivated? Join us as author LaTan Roland Murphy shares her insights from her latest book, "His Strength, Her Joy: Finding God-Powered Fulfillment." Discover how LaTan draws from personal experiences and scripture, illustrating the profound impact of seeking Divine strength when our own energy i...

Send us a text "Caring for another person is like the hero's journey, a transformative experience. Except unlike in the common formula, one does not need to leave the home" (Elissa Strauss, "When You Care"). Imagine balancing a thriving journalism career while navigating the uncharted waters of motherhood. That’s precisely what Elissa Strauss, our guest for this episode, h...