Warrior Words | Stories of Hope | Finding Beauty After Battles & Thriving After Surviving Trauma

Welcome to Episode 79 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I talk about Jesus' reaction to the Woman caught in Adultery. There is a lot of beauty in the dirt.   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words...

Welcome to Episode 78 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this week's episode, we are tackling a difficult topic; one we haven't discussed before. Yes, all of our conversations are difficult stories. But I think this conversation is one most of us can relate to because crossing boundaries is something that happens regularly. Each of us has experienced a family member who has crossed the line at lea...

Welcome to Episode 77 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I talk about Samuel and his encounter with Jesse's sons when God asks him to anoint the new king; Saul's replacement. Samuel's idea of what makes a good king are different than God's idea.   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermission...

Welcome to Episode 76 of the Warrior Words podcast!   It's the first day of Autism Acceptance Month! Autism is one of my storms, but it's also one of my blessings. This week, I talk about what happens when our traumas and storms intersect at a point in time, as mine did recently. One of my storms left a permanent change in my reality and how I live my life. The other seems to keep sending surprise...

Welcome to Episode 75 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I talk about Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the Well. The story could have turned out very differently if she had behaved the way many of us would like to when someone points out our sins...   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.c...

Welcome to Episode 74 of the Warrior Words podcast!   As promised in  episode 70 , Jocelyn Abyad is back to talk about a subject that doesn't get the attention it deserves: fathers and siblings also grieve when a baby dies in the womb. But this episode became a little something more than that. As Jocelyn was sharing about her husband's reactions, she ended up sharing about marriage and she used th...

Welcome to Episode 73 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I take a look at the beauty in the story of God telling Abram that his descendants will be as the number of the stars in the Heavens. What an amazing promise and gift!   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-...

Welcome to Episode 72 of the Warrior Words podcast!   I am flying solo this week! Something Jocelyn said in last week's episode made me recall something my kids and I did as we were walking through a storm together. While your walk may be entirely different, the concept can be the same. I talk about maintaining some form of consistency. It gives you something to hold onto in a situation where it s...

Welcome to Episode 71 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I am talking about fasting again. This time, I talk about results - and beauty - that can come from your fasts. Essentially, how can your fasts create beauty in the life of someone else?   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfu...

Welcome to Episode 70 of the Warrior Words podcast!   It never ceases to amaze - though I've seen it so many times - how our deepest sorrows, pains, struggles, and traumas prove to be such fertile ground for the growth of beauty. This week, I sit down with Jocelyn who experienced unspeakable pain, not once, not twice, but three times in succession. She could have allowed this intense grief to take...

Welcome to Episode 69 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I am talking about fasting. That word can imply health benefits, physical beauty, and denying yourself. It can cause feelings of angst and suffering. But is there beauty in our fasting?   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfun...

Welcome to Episode 68 of the Warrior Words podcast!   This week, I'm thrilled to share the mic with Author, Speaker, and Coach, Belinda Terro Mooney. She shares about addictions and bipolar disorder and how they impacted her, her marriage, and her children. But she also shares about how she escaped and learned to find the well of joy that exists inside her. She became a credible witness in how she...

Welcome to Episode 67 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I end the month of love with some observations on the Sacred Heart of Jesus - the most perfect love that exists. The only perfect love that exists.   Some of the resources I used: https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/what-you-didnt-know-sacred-heart-of-jesus-5584 https://www.catholic.com...

Welcome to Episode 66 of the Warrior Words podcast!   I am excited to introduce you to Claudine: a woman whose trauma occurred when she was nine years old. This trauma might be what some would consider a "little t" trauma; but when you're nine, even a 'little t' trauma can seem world-ending. Claudine's trauma would set her up for a succession of sufferings for which she would need a succession of...

Welcome to Episode 65 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I look at the types of love - I was surprised to see eight types described in my research, but we're talking about the four main types in this episode as seen in the Bible and categorized by the Ancient Greeks.   I mention C.S. Lewis' The Four Loves so here's where you can pick up a copy: ht...

Welcome to Episode 64 of the Warrior Words podcast!   Who was that one person in your life who made a difference to you? How did they get your attention? For Trish, there was one woman who stood out and helped her go back and finish high school. But as she points out in this episode, it wasn't just one person. She was blessed to encounter many mentors in various situations who helped her get - and...

Welcome to Episode 63 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I look at the beauty of Valentine - the saints, the people, and the (probable) origin of Valentine's Day. It may not be what you think about when you think of this holiday. Plus, there are no over-priced roses, chocolates, or dinners involved. What is the real beauty of Valentine's Day?   Do...

Welcome to Episode 62 of the Warrior Words podcast!   Have you ever felt like part of your life, or maybe even your whole life, was being chosen for you? Have you ever felt like you couldn't make your own decisions, not in an abusive way, but in a people-pleasing kind of way? That's how Allyssya felt for a large part of her life. The life she was living was not what she would have chosen for herse...

Welcome to Episode 61 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I look at the beauty of love in this season usually associated with love. How is love beautiful?   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Wa...

Welcome to Episode 60 of the Warrior Words podcast!   Wasn't Shelly's story incredible? If you didn't get a chance to listen, please head over to  Part One  before listening to today's episode. I know we left you at a bit of a cliffhanger, but you will get to hear what happened in court and beyond in this week's episode. While we need to hear the story of what brought us to our lowest points, we h...

Welcome to Episode 59 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I look at Song of Songs, Song of Solomon, or Canticle of Canticles 4:7. Is your beauty flawless?   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Wa...

Welcome to Episode 58 of the Warrior Words podcast!   We've all heard of the beautiful phoenix who rises from the ashes. But that's the stuff legends are made of... is it truly possible to find beauty after a fire kills someone you love? While that may sound like a difficult enough thing to do, that's not all of my guest's story. It's a story that could take 4-5 episodes - or more - to tell fully....

Welcome to Episode 57 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I look at the meaning and origins of the phrase, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." How does it impact our opinion or assessment of beauty?   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight...

Welcome to Episode 56 of the Warrior Words podcast!   It's hard enough to hear your own devastating diagnosis, but what about when that diagnosis involves your child? Sure, both involve questions, fears, worries, and extreme emotions, but the way you react to that news may be completely different. This week, long-time online friend - who I'd love to meet & hug in person someday - Dineen joins...

Welcome to Episode 55 of the Warrior Words podcast!   It may be episode 55 on the podcast, but this is the first episode of a segment called Bits of Biblical Beauty. These are short episodes centering around one concept of beauty.  We're not talking about the hair & makeup aisles at your local big box store. These concepts of beauty come from a biblical perspective. I am not a biblical scholar...