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Amanda Cleary Eastep is not related to Beverly Cleary but wishes she were. She is, however, a children’s author, and the Tree Street Kids is her middle grade series for readers 8-12. Amanda knows kids because she’s still one at heart. When she is forced to act like an adult, she edits nonfiction books by grownup authors. Amanda lives and writes in the mountains of North Carolina but has spent most of her life in the suburbs of Chicago, the home of the Tree Street Kids.

A few weeks ago, our pastor posed a question that I've been mulling around: how do I intentionally invest in my well-being? In light of the loneliness epidemic and the isolation that can come with the second half of life, it's important to be intentional in investing in our well-being so that we can live healthy, helpful and fulfilling lives. He gave us four categories to consider being intentional about investing: Faith, Family, Friendships and Meaningful work that benefits others. 

Andrea is a well-traveled, born-and-raised Texan who longs for adventure - especially if it requires a passport. As a Christ-following sojourner, she is a lover of stories and a connoisseur of sunrises and coffee - best when served up together. When she's not supporting others by editing and mentoring, she can be found writing or spending time with the joys of her life, her grandchildren.

Creativity can feel like a lot of pressure. You might be like me; having a hard time thinking of yourself as a creative person. Listen and be encouraged (hopefully!)

Hillary Loveland Bennett has all the credentials necessary to achieve greatness in the business world of coaching. In our conversation you'll find out why those achievements were not enough and what was missing.

It's a challenge to learn to see from another perspective! There are tools you can gather to help you. Three immediately come to mind and I identify them and unpack them a bit in this episode. Awareness Curiosity Practice Listen to learn how these three elements can help you learn to see from another perspective.

Cindy Kizanis, M.A. MFT, Doctor of Intercultural Studies, is an adjunct professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Western Seminary and co-founder of Be.loved Ministries. She has been encouraging, teaching, and equipping women for over 25 years. She loves reading, music, painting and creating, and is always ready for a good kitchen dance party! Since deciding to close her therapy practice, she has been happily spending time on writing projects, and most recently has learned how to tattoo eyebrows! She is turning the chapter on a new season of life as an empty nester, along with her husband of 33 years, in a small town on the outskirts of Silicon Valley.

Today I want to introduce you to a voice I've been listening to for several years.  Justin McRoberts is an author, coach, speaker, and songwriter. He is the author of six books, including the upcoming, Sacred Strides (May 2023). For over 20 years, Justin has helped artists, ministers, and entrepreneurs find their way. From the stage, through his stories in books or during coaching sessions, he leans on his years of work and expertise as a minister and artist to help individuals and teams solve problems in their creative processes.  When he’s not writing, speaking, or coaching, you can find him as the host of the At Sea Podcast.

Carole Duff completed a 34-year career in education, as an award-winning high school history and social studies teacher, mid-management administrator and curriculum technologist. She is also an accomplished presenter, serious flutist, and avid naturalist. Carole has written articles for the professional journals Educational Leadership and Momentum. After pivoting to writing narrative nonfiction, her short works have appeared in: The Perennial Gen Streetlight Magazine Brevity’s Nonfiction Blog Mockingbird An adapted chapter from her to-be-published manuscript Wisdom Builds Her House: A Memoir of Finding Grace in the Third Stage of Life appeared in The Perennial Gen, for which she is a regular contributor. Since 2011, Carole has posted weekly to her long-standing blog Notes from Vanaprastha. Carole holds degrees from Wheaton College in Massachusetts (BA in History, Magna cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), University of Texas at Dallas (MA in Humanities), University of North Texas (MA in Education Administration, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi), and Goucher College (Certificate in Educational Technology).  She and her husband, the writer K. A. Kenny, now live in the house whose construction she oversaw in her memoir Wisdom Builds Her House, in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, along with their three dogs. She has a daughter, a son, a step-son, and a son-in-law, and she and her husband share a granddaughter.

Today we learned of another mass school shooting. Monday, March 27, 2023 six people were killed at school. Three children. Three adults. And the gun woman.  I am overwhelmed. I share a blessing from The Lives We Actually Have by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie called For This Grief-stricken Day. I also talk about what is also true for each of us. Listen in...

Today is the launch day of Andrea's first book, I'm Such a Messterpiece  We talk about writing, life and faith sprinkled with dealing with anxiety and depression. It's a great conversation with my friend who is now a published author! About the book: Battling anxiety and depression, along with the shame and stigma of mental illness, Andrea Nyberg was drowning in hopelessness. With her physical, mental, and spiritual health in a downward spiral, Andrea reached out for help—an act of courage that saved her life and set freedom and healing in motion. Mindful that we are all masterpieces of God despite our messes, Andrea shares her story to help you reframe what it looks like to both love Jesus and struggle with anxiety and depression. You’ll be inspired with practical tools and resources to help you find joy as you reestablish the foundation of your faith, embrace a survivor mindset, and discover that hope and healing are yours for the taking.  

I love to share conversations I'm privileged to have recorded for you where you get to learn what the guest is about. In this episode you get to hear a bit of what I am about in the realm of my faith journey. 

In today's episode you hear my conversation with Dorothy Littell Greco. Dorothy is the author of two books on marriage, the most recent one, Marriage in the Middle, is one I'm grateful to have read. Dorothy's bio is a first person account; here's part of how Dorothy introduces herself: "I’m a story-teller. Sometimes I use words and sometimes I use images. I pay attention to what happens on the sidelines and in the margins. I feel compelled to challenge hypocrisy, mend broken systems, and reveal beauty. Practically speaking, that means my work is fiercely honest and sometimes confrontative. I am like cilantro: you either really appreciate what I bring to the table—or prefer to avoid it. My goal is to point readers and viewers toward hope and healing." On the letgoleaninpodcast website you'll find links to Dorothy's website, where to find her books and all the ways to get in touch with the work Dorothy is offering.  Please enjoy my conversation with author, writer, photographer Dorothy Littell Greco.

Do you ever wonder about or ponder questions beginning with the words "What if...? Do you find you listen to a negative voice instead of a voice of encouragement? This episode is for you. Important links and questions will be posted in the shownotes on Let Go, Lean In Podcast 

Happy Tuesday! Happy Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras! In fact, laissez le bon temps rouler! Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is an interesting season in the church calendar. If you are familiar with lenten practices you know it's typical to do without something during this season. Some people practice adding in something such as volunteering in the community.  I share some ideas and practices I've found helpful as I practice my word for the year Restore.

Jessica Richie is a producer and writer. She serves as the executive director of the Everything Happens Initiative at Duke University and the executive producer of the Everything Happens podcast, which hosts wise, funny, and tender conversations between Dr. Kate Bowler and guests about lives that don't always work out. Based on their work together, Kate and Jess co-wrote a book of spiritual reflections called, GOOD ENOUGH: 40ish DEVOTIONALS FOR A LIFE OF IMPERFECTION and a book of blessings called THE LIVES WE ACTUALLY HAVE: 100 BLESSINGS FOR IMPERFECT DAYS. Jess received her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School and lives with her family in Wilmington, Delaware. 

The concept of self-care has been complicated for many women, myself included. Some teachings have emphasized the self in self-care labeling the concept selfish and anti-Christian. I bought into that line of thinking for many years; not taking care of the sacred vessel God has blessed me with. My health suffered as did my relationships. Self-care is NOT selfish. Self-care is essential and each of us will benefit when we make space for self-care in four specific areas as a regular set of practices. 

I've come to Audible slowly. Not an early adopter because I struggled with the legitimacy of reading. I had to talk myself through the process of learning a language whether your heart language or a second or third or more. We learn listening. Reading is actually the third stage of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and then writing.  All that to say, I've made peace with reading books on Audible by working this developmental process through in my head. See what it's like in my head? Complicated! I just completed two memoirs on Audible and I am here to say I'd choose to read them on Audible for the sheer benefit of hearing the authors tell their story in their own speaking voice.  Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono  Spare by Prince Harry  I'm sharing what I learned for my own life from listening to theirs.

Moving toward the next milestone in episodes, beginning again with one. One hundred one to be exact. Sharing with you the value of practicing affirmations and the kinds of fruit that can be born in your life: mind, heart and body being supported and encouraged by helpful, authentic words. Research is behind this episode! Check it out.

*Applause* Woohoo! 100 Episodes! I'm sharing the fun with you; Top 5 Episodes, Top 5 Books Read and Top 4 Things I've Learned as a Podcaster. Plus there is a gift for you in the show notes at letgoleaninpodcast.com