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Please listen to episode 77: Drew Her Out of Deep Waters before listening to this episode as Tiffany shares the story of when she was attacked by a shark.  Tiffany Johnson survived a shark attack while on vacation with her husband in 2017. Every year since then, she takes time to pause and remember God's faithfulness before, during, and after the shark attack.  Tiffany explains how this is an intentional habit for her as God commands it for our benefit. While it can be difficult remembering the terror she felt while it was happening, it sets the stage for her to also remember all the ways God was faithful in shielding her, protecting her, filling her with peace, and saving her life.  In addition to a set aside time of remembering on the anniversary of the shark attack, she brings up parts of that day in conversations with her children. She wants them to know how God protected her and saved her. Not only does talking about God's faithfulness strengthen her faith, but it also strengthens her children's faith.  In this episode, Tiffany refers to Judges 2:10-13 which says, "After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths."  Tiffany comments that the Israelites forgot to remember all the things God had done and His faithfulness toward them. Their "forgetfulness" led to them forsaking God. We must remember God's faithfulness in our lives, so we aren't tempted to forsake God. Tiffany refers to the song "Do It Again" by Elevation Worship. You can listen to this song on YouTube.  Connect with Tiffany at beanovercomerministries.com.

In 2017, Tiffany Johnson and her husband went on their yearly getaway to nurture their marriage: a cruise to the Bahamas and some adventures when the ship stopped at various ports. No kids. Lots of sun. Good food. What could go wrong?The parasailing adventure was fantastic, but the snorkeling adventure proved to be filled with one huge challenge followed by several other challenges. The huge challenge? A shark attacked Tiffany, biting off the bottom half of her dominant arm. Tiffany cried out to Jesus. And boy, did God show up in numerous ways! Tiffany shares, "the peace of the LORD surrounded me. It was thick and tangible."When describing how God was with her during the attack and the rescue efforts, Tiffany refers to Psalm 18:16 which says, "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters." Her doctors declared that surviving the shark attack, receiving very delayed medical attention, and not needing a blood transfusion were nothing short of a miracle. It's been nearly six years since she encountered the shark. While that challenge impacted her life in many ways, it didn't stop her. In fact, she believes, "I'm not supposed to be here. God rescued me. He saw something in me to give me this second chance. I was rescued for a purpose."Tiffany started a ministry to share the message of overcoming the challenges we face in life. It's called 'Be an Overcomer.' She speaks to students to share the message of Jesus being alive and active in our lives. Additionally, she's co-authored two devotionals titled Endurance and Unchartered Waters.Connect with Tiffany at beanovercomerministries.com.

My fight verse is Hebrews 2:18 from the Amplified Bible Classic Edition. It says, “My trust and assured reliance and confident hope shall be fixed in Him.”  I refer to the Jesus & Women Bible study by Kristi McLelland in this episode. I highly recommend this Bible study! El Shema – the unofficial name of God that means God hears us El Roi – the name of God that means God sees us Immanuel – the name of God that means God is with us  Other verses that refer to God hearing us, seeing us, and being with us to read and color code: God hears us: Genesis 16:11, Genesis 17:20, Genesis 21:17, Exodus 2:24, Exodus 3:7, Exodus 3:9, Exodus 6:5, Exodus 22:23, Exodus 22:27, Numbers 11:18, Numbers 20:16, Deuteronomy 27:17, 2 Samuel 22:7, 1 Kings 9:3, 1 Kings 17:22, 2 Kings 20:5, 2 Kings 22:19, 2 Chronicles 7:12, 2 Chronicles 7:14, 2 Chronicles 20:9, 2 Chronicles 30:20, 2 Chronicles 30:27, Nehemiah 9:27, Nehemiah 9:28, Job 34:28, Psalm 4:3, Psalm 6:8-9, Psalm 10:17, Psalm 18:6, Psalm 28:6, Psalm 31:22, Psalm 34:17, Psalm 40:1, Psalm 55:17, Psalm 69:33, Psalm 106:44, Psalm 116:1, Psalm 145:19, Psalm 145:19, Proverbs 15:29, Isaiah 38:5, John 11:41-42, Acts 10:31, 2 Corinthians 6:2, 1 John 5:14-15 God sees us: Genesis 16:13, Genesis 29:31, Deuteronomy 26: 7-8, Deuteronomy 32:36, 1 Chronicles 21:15, Nehemiah 9:9, Job 34:21,Psalm 11:14, Psalm 33:13, Psalm 138:6, Lamentations 3:50, Jonah 3:10, Matthew 6: 4, 6, 18, Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22, Matthew 9:36, Mark 2:5, Mark 5:38, Mark 6:34, Mark 9:25, Luke 5:20, Luke 7:13, Luke 13:12, John 5:6, John 9:1, John 11:33 God is with us: Genesis 26: 3, 24, Genesis 31:5, Numbers 23:21, Joshua 1:9, Judges 6: 12, 16, 2 Samuel 7:9, 1 Kings 11:38, 2 Chronicles 13:12, 2 Chronicles 20:17, 2 Chronicles 32:7-8, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 46:7,11, Psalm 91:15, Psalm 118:6-7, Isaiah 8:10, Psalm 41:10, Isaiah 43:2, 5, Jeremiah 20:11, Jeremiah 46: 28, Haggai 1:13, Haggai 2:4, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:20, Luke 1:28, Luke 13:33, John 14: 17, 20 I refer to the map (God’s Word) and the binoculars (taking your focus off your struggles and focusing on God instead) in this episode. Those are two of the pieces of essential gear that I discuss in my book, Challenges Won’t Stop Me: An Interactive Survival Guide for Overcoming & Thriving.  My book is available on Amazon. Additionally, an autographed copy is available at www.melonybrown.com/merch.

WARNING: This interview contains descriptions of violence and sex that are not suited for children below the age of 12. Please watch episode 74: "He Loves Me but He Hits Me: teen dating violence didn't stop her with Dee Dee Said" beforewatching this episode. In that episode, Dee Dee shared her story of being in ateen dating violent relationship. This episode is a valuable resource for any adult who lives with, teaches, mentors, or interacts with a tween through college aged young adult. Listed below are a few statistics taken from Dee Dee's book, "It Doesn't Start with a Punch: My Journey through an Abusive Teen Dating Relationship": * 24% of teens aged 16 to 18 said they feel pressured to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. * Data from the 2015 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey of 9th through 12th grade students found that 10% of females and 3% of males have experienced forced sex. * Approximately 1 in 3 adolescent girls will experience an abusive relationship. * A 2021 survey by Common Sense Media found that in 2019 teens spent almost 7.5 hours per day watching TV, movies, and online videos, playing video games, and visiting social media sites. (James Steer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, explained, "Children's screen time has wide-ranging implications for their social and emotional development, how they form relationships, how they identify themselves, and how they are exposed to hate speech." * A 2005 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that 12 to 17 year olds who are heavy viewers of sexual content are twice as likely to initiate sexual intercourse over the next year as those that saw the least amount. * Pediatrician Dr. Todd Huffman stated, "The sexual content in much of the media today's teens attend to is frequent, glamorized, and consequence free." * The Congressional Public Health Summit in 2000 reported the following measurable effects of exposure to violent entertainment: more likely to view violence as an effective way of settling conflicts; can lead to emotional desensitization toward violence in real life; feeds a perception that the world is violent and mean; and may lead to real-life violence. * In the summer of 2009, of the songs on the top music charts: 69% referenced sex at least once; 49% contained sexual lyrics; 41% contained profanity; and 31% referenced drugs or alcohol. * Females who watch music videos are more likely to tolerate sexual harassment. * Boys who watch music videos begin to treat women as sex objects, which can lead to becoming sexually aggressive with them. To learn more, please visit Dee Dee Said's website at buildstrongfoundations.com.

WARNING: This interview contains descriptions of violence and sex that are not suited for children below the age of 12.  February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.  My guest, Dee Dee Said, was involved in an abusive teen dating relationship between the ages of 16 and 19; she shares about the raw details in her book, It Doesn’t Start with a Punch: My Journey through an Abusive Teen Dating Relationship.  While it’s hard to hear Dee Dee describe the emotional, verbal, and physical abuse she endured, she offers valuable insight into the subtle ways her abuser drew her in and kept her fearful enough to not disobey or anger him. As parents, educators, neighbors, and church friends of tweens through college aged young adults, we NEED TO KNOW these warning signs. A few statistics to be aware of: ·        1 in 10 teens will experience teen dating violence ·        Youth ages 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault ·        62% of tweens surveyed said they knew friends who had been verbally abused (called stupid, worthless, ugly, etc.) by a boyfriend or girlfriend The National Dating Abuse helpline number is 1.866.331.9474 Please listen to this interview yourself first for your knowledge. Then, I do encourage you to invite a tween through college aged young adult to listen to it with you. Have a conversation after listening to Dee Dee’s interview together.    To learn more about Dee Dee, please visit buildstrongfoundations.com Order Dee Dee’s book, It Doesn’t Start with a Punch: My Journey through an Abusive Teen Dating Relationship, on Amazon.

Do the enemy’s attacks and lies drip, drip, drip throughout your day? What’s your response? Do you ignore them and hope they will go away? Or do you fight back?I invited Sandy Storm back to share the strategies she uses when she finds herself on the front line of a spiritual attack. Sandy explains why we can’t be passive and let those drips accumulate. Instead, we must actively engage by using the warfare strategies God gave us. If you listened to Sandy’s story interview on episode 72, you know this warrior not only comes face to face with spiritual warfare in her personal life, but also as a human trafficking abolitionist. This girl means business!Sandy referred to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. It says, "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."And Philippians 4:8-9. It says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."I shared Ephesians 6: 10-18 (the armor of God). It says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."You’re going to want to remember the wisdom Sandy shares, so grab a pen and paper or start a new notes page on your phone. Put these effective strategies into practice whenever you encounter spiritual warfare.Want to learn more about Sandy? Please visit authorsandystorm.com.

WARNING: Today’s episode contains graphic content about human trafficking and could be a trigger for people who have experienced abuse or violence at the hands of another.  January is National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention month. It is difficult to hear the atrocities of human trafficking and its impact on human lives. My guest, Sandy Storm, shares the numerous challenges she faced throughout the twenty years she was exploited and dehumanized, she also shares how during those difficult years, she believed God had a plan for her life.  Could any good come from someone so broken? Yes!!!  Sandy cried out to God, handing him her broken life. He graciously exchanged her brokenness with salvation wrapped in His unfailing love. Her healing and restoration led her to the realization God made her a new creation. Filled with this life-changing news, Sandy drew close to Him.  Remember Joseph’s reply to his brothers? He said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish the saving of many lives.” God whispered the same words to her and said He preserved her during those horrific years, so she could be a part of the solution to ending human trafficking.  Thus, Sandy is a modern-day abolitionist and serves as the Director of Strategic impact for Deliver Fund, a non-profit whose mission is to keep communities safe by bringing human traffickers to justice. Her experiences and knowledge make her a powerful warrior who IS helping to destroy the darkness in our world. Her three novellas based on her experiences – Becoming Navi, Hello Navi, and Goodbye Navi – are available on Amazon.  To learn more about Sandy or connect with her, visit her website at authorsandystorm.com.  If you are interested in learning more about Deliver Fund’s efforts to end human trafficking or joining their prayer team, please visit deliverfund.org. If you are being trafficked or know someone who is, the Human Trafficking hotline is 1-888-373-7888. All calls are confidential.  

It's January. It seems everyone makes New Year's Resolutions that include trying a new diet, exercising more, and quitting a bad habit. By far, people resolve to get healthier. 64% of people who make New Year's resolutions fail after just one month. Why? They set unrealistic goals and didn't keep track of their progress. On today's episode, Susan Neal joins us again to share four strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She's clear that these strategies aren't about a diet. They are lifestyle changes that will be maintained for the rest of your life. Maybe you're not interested if that's the length of the commitment you must make. Hold on, please. Susan doesn't just share four strategies; she also shares the benefits of consistently maintaining each strategy. An unexpected bonus for you is that Susan explains how our bodies react to sugar and gluten. If her explanations don't convince you to consider your sugar and gluten intake, I don't know what will!Instead of making New Year's Resolutions that are unrealistic and you forget to keep track of your progress, follow Susan's healthy lifestyle strategies and experience tangible outcomes in your weight, energy level, happiness, and desire to pursue your dreams.Learn more at susanuneal.com. Her books are available on Amazon: Christian Study Guide for 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates: Healthy Eating for Healthy Living with God's Food  7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates: Healthy Eating for Healthy Living with a Low-Carbohydrate, Anti-Inflammatory Diet Healthy Living Journal: Track Your Healthy Eating and Living Habits for Improved Health and Well-Being Scripture Yoga: 21 Bible Lessons for Christian Yoga Classes Solving the Gluten Puzzle: Discovering Gluten Sensitivity and Embracing the Gluten-Free Lifestyle Yoga for Beginners: 60 Basic Yoga Poses for Flexibility, Stress Relief, and Inner Peace Want to build or maintain a 'challenges won't stop me' mindset? Check out my book, Challenges Won't Stop Me: An Interactive Survival Guide for Overcoming & Thriving, on Amazon.Visit melonybrown.com for resources to empower and equip you to overcome & thrive!

Health challenges don’t only impact our physical bodies. Health challenges impact every area of our lives. When multiple challenges rudely intersected Susan’s path over the course of nine months … well, those challenges exponentially impacted her life.Having been very healthy up to that point made her feel like her life was spiraling out of control. Doctor after doctor. Test after test. Still no answers. Even though she felt depleted and frustrated, she was determined that the challenges she was facing would not stop her. She continued to fight to overcome the challenges. I was curious how she dealt with challenge after challenge impacting her life. She shared how a friend gave her a plaque for her 50th birthday with a verse from Isaiah on it.It said, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).She didn’t just read those words. She believed them. She clung to the hope included in those words. “I just had faith that one day I would run, and I would not be weary. And I would walk and not be faint.” She took God at His Word.Finally, after the tenth medical diagnosis, Susan discovered the root cause of her multiple health challenges. With this information in hand, Susan researched how to fight this infection. Among several things, she radically changed her diet, which improved her gut health and allowed her to regain her health. Take Susan’s Candida quiz to find out if Candida is contributing to your health challenges at www.candiquiz.com.Those multiple health challenges tried to stop Susan. But God used them to refine her purpose: to help others reclaim their health. She’s written eight health-related books that will help you reclaim your health. Check them out on Amazon by typing in Susan U Neal.Want to build or maintain a 'challenges won't stop me' mindset? Check out my book, Challenges Won't Stop Me: An Interactive Survival Guide for Overcoming & Thriving, on Amazon.Visit www.melonybrown.com for resources to empower and equip you to overcome & thrive!

After four amazing seasons of the Zigzag & 1 podcast, it was time for a makeover! She got an new name and an unstoppable mindset.Let me tell you about all the changes. The most obvious change of course is the name change. This change stemmed from conversations about the book I published in September of 2022 titled "Challenges Won't Stop Me: An Interactive Survival Guide for Overcoming & Thriving." After reading it, several readers said, "Oh, I get it! Your book name describes the mindset of the overcomers you interview on your podcast!" YES! EXACTLY!Their comments led to renaming the podcast and putting a sharper focus on giving the listener more strategies and habits in every guest interview and in my solocast messages. In addition to the overcomer interviews and the strategies/habits interviews, I'm excited about sharing motivational messages via video solocasts. You can listen to them on your favorite podcast app or watch them on my YouTube channel @melonybrown. Going forward on the Resources page at melonybrown.com, I will be adding helpful resources for those times when you're fighting hard to overcome challenges and need more.Be sure to follow the show on your favorite podcast app and on my YouTube channel. Let's go!Buy Challenges Won't Stop Me: An Interactive Survival Guide for Overcoming and Thriving HERE. 

When we face very difficult challenges, our faith in God is challenged too. Throughout Jody's daughter's ten-year fight against Lyme disease, she begged God to heal Alex. Despite numerous doctor's visits and numerous treatments, Alex passed away. The pain, loss, and grief Jody felt was overwhelming. She gave into the grief so her mind, heart, and soul could process what she describes as her greatest hurt. But, there came a day when Jody decided she would always grieve the loss of her precious daughter, but she didn't want to be known as the grief girl. Instead of being angry at God, Jody drew closer to God. She praised him for the twenty-two years she was given to love Alex and be her mom. She thanked God for the grace, courage, and dignity Alex consistently showed throughout her battle for seeing these traits in Alex taught her so much. Alex's very difficult struggle challenged Jody's faith in the hardest of ways and the best of ways. Her faith grew in the best way, which looks like God shining in her.  That light shining in her is filled with purpose, passion, joy, and love.When you meet Jody Hudson, she will tell you all about her precious daughter, Alex. But, you won't see the grief girl. You'll see God shining in her instead. Visit The Alex Hudson Lyme Foundation to learn more about Lyme disease and ways to support Jody's mission to increase awareness of Lyme disease, raise money for research, and support patients who have Lyme disease with financial grants for testing and treatments.

No one would ask for or volunteer for a challenge that would end in one's greatest hurt. But we know that varying degrees of hurt and pain come with the challenges of this world.Jody's daughter, Alex, suffered ten long years with unusual symptoms that were considered a medical mystery until finally a diagnosis of Lyme disease was given. Throughout those years, Alex experienced unbearable physical pain and unbearable loss. Loss of playing sports, of going to her dream college, of friends who were busy living their lives, and of living a thriving life.  While those losses are truly tragic, Alex gained a fighter mentality, a determination to never give up, a stronger faith and trust in God, and a desire to serve and love others.Our discussion is based on her book My Promise to Alex: Through Pain Comes Purpose. You'll hear Jody describe the numerous obstacles and challenges she and Alex faced. Yet, each time mother and daughter sought God's direction and then persevered. Both Alex and Jody are courageous overcomers.Even though Alex passed away at twenty-two, she lives on through Jody's greatest ministry: the Alex Hudson Lyme Foundation whose mission is to increase research efforts for Lyme disease while supporting patients via financial grants for their treatments and testing. Learn more at www.alexhudsonlymefoundation.org

Ever find it difficult to stay focused when you're praying? I know I do!I believe I'd be hard-pressed to find one person who couldn't admit to feeling distracted while praying. While we know prayer is an incredible blessing because we are communicating directly with God, our brains jump to investigate every stray thought and noise. Determination to stay focused works for a while, but then ... well, you know. You realize you're thinking about what you need at the grocery store, how your daughter needs new cleats for soccer, or how you want those new boots but know they are not in the budget.My guest, Kathy McInnis, shares a habit she's incorporated into her prayer time that helps her stay focused: prayer journaling. You'll hear her describe how she uses it, but please know it's not a magic formula. It works for her because she started with writing her prayers in a journal and then tried new ways to connect with God using her journal.If you've always wanted to try prayer journaling or you're just curious how in the world writing in a journal helps you stay focused during prayer, grab a pen and paper and take some notes of the different ways Kathy uses her prayer journal. Make sure to jot down what positive outcomes she's experienced too!Want to connect with Kathy? Go to ferventgrace.org

Pause for a moment and think about your companions.  Are they healthy companions who offer life-giving interactions by encouraging, supporting, and loving you? If so, those companions are priceless.  Or are they toxic companions who shatter your heart by bullying, lying, intimidating, and threatening you? These toxic companions can be humans, but they can also be beliefs. Today’s Zigzag & 1 guest, Kathy McInnis, is the author of Companions on My Journey. In her memoir, Kathy describes the toxic companions who invaded her life during her childhood, her college years, and her first marriage and divorce. Shame, fear, bitterness, and condemnation were the toxic companions that convinced Kathy she was unlovable, unworthy, and unforgivable. The pain was so great she wanted to end it all. Thankfully, Kathy chose not to end her life. A loving, forgiving God took the broken pieces of Kathy’s heart and filled her with love, peace, and assurance that she is worthy.   Whether you’ve encountered toxic companions or not, hearing Kathy’s story and how she fought to overcome will inspire and encourage you.  To invite Kathy to speak at your next event or connect with her, go to ferventgrace.org.

My guest, Yvonne Taylor, shared her story of being one of the twenty-one black students who integrated into the all-white Hoxie High School in 1955 in episode 63. Make sure you check out that episode as hearing her experiences will emphasize why her mindset of choosing kindness can truly impact the world. Ever stop to think about the values and wisdom passed down to you from your parents, grandparents, and teachers? You might choose to discard some of it, but some of those values and mindsets are so powerful that they become a part of you and how you navigate life.  Yvonne’s parents were diligent about teaching her values that pertained to their faith. Those shaped her beliefs about God. They also imparted ways to treat others. It’s one thing to hear your parents tell you how to live a certain way, but Yvonne was blessed with parents who lived out what they taught. Choosing to show kindness was a value taught and consistently modeled by Yvonne’s parents. A reminder of this value was shared the night before Yvonne and her siblings walked through the front doors of the all-white Hoxie High School. Would she choose kindness as her response when insulted? Would she choose kindness when her white friends from the neighborhood ignored her? Would she choose kindness when a rock was thrown through her kitchen window? Yes. Yes. And yes. Kindness is a choice. And Yvonne chose kindness no matter how others treated her.  Choosing kindness became part of Yvonne’s values and have proven to be a way she can impact the world. You can bet she passed down the value of choosing kindness to her children and grandchildren.  What if each of us chose kindness as our response? Imagine the impact we could have on our world! Buy Yvonne’s book, Momma, Daddy & Me: When Perseverance Prevails, on Amazon.

The civil rights movement was in full swing in 1955, but fourteen-year-old Yvonne Taylor wasn’t paying attention to the news about activists fighting for an end to discrimination and injustice. Nor was she aware of the Supreme Court ruling in Topeka versus the Board of Education that would significantly impact her education. Until … Yvonne learned she and twenty other black students would be integrating into Hoxie High School in Hoxie, Arkansas. That was sixty-seven years ago this month.In this episode,  you’ll hear Yvonne describe how she was treated by white students and teachers and how she responded during her year at Hoxie High School. Yvonne is an integral part of the history of the civil rights movement in the US. No, she didn't speak in front of thousands like Martin Luther King, Jr. did. Nor did she refuse to give up her bus seat like Rosa Parks. You likely haven’t heard of her name before, but I assure you her contribution is no less important.  MLK Jr. did something to help blacks gain equal rights. Rosa Parks did something too. Countless others did something, including Ms. Yvonne Taylor. Helen Keller said it best when she said, “I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” Thank you, Yvonne for doing something. Your brave actions and positive attitude paved the way for black students to access the same quality education as white students.Buy her memoir, Mommy, Daddy & Me: When Perseverance Prevails on Amazon. 

Ever feel like your head is going to explode? Incessant noise coming at you from every direction—the news, social media, podcasts, YouTube videos, music you’ve streamed. While some of this noise is educational or informative, some of it is mind-numbing entertainment.  After typing that last sentence, I laughed at my words. Sounds like the explanations I’ve given my tutoring students this summer when discussing how the characters in Ray Bradbury’s book, Fahrenheit 451, consume hours and hours of mindless entertainment coming from the walls of TVs while also listening to their ear shells. Why do we need silence and solitude (getting away by yourself)? Silence and solitude break the endless consumption of entertainment and noise. They refresh our minds. They make room for new ideas. And they invite closeness with God. Imagine God trying to compete with all the noise you and I willingly take in. Now imagine purposefully getting away from the noise and listening to and enjoying the silence. Maybe, just maybe, there’s space in the silence for God to talk to you. And me. My guest, Risa Owens, shares how she seeks silence and solitude in her backyard, at the beach, in the mountains, and anywhere she can be alone. No phone. No disruptions. She invites God to come close, for she’s eager to hear what He wants to say to her. She also shares several benefits she’s gained by making time for silence and solitude. Don’t be surprised if you feel convicted enough to pull out your calendar and schedule some time for silence and solitude!Connect with Risa at risascorner.net.

My guest, Risa Owens, is an author and speaker. While those are interesting professions, what’s most interesting about Risa being an author and speaker is that her educational journey began with the label of mentally retarded*. This label created limits and further ostracized her from her peers. *This term is used throughout Risa’s interview as it was the terminology used during the years Risa was in school. The current (and less offensive) terminology is intellectual disabilities.  Risa wrote about her educational journey in her book, The Heart that Grieves of a Little Girl Lost. In this interview, Risa and I discuss several poignant moments in her childhood and how they impacted her.  Excerpts from her book: ·   “They gave up on me.” ·   “I was totally a little girl lost in the mazes of my own life, not knowing where to go or what to do.” ·   “The majority of my family didn’t want to be around me because of my condition. Not only was I sick all the time, but I was a freak to them.” When her school updated the educational testing, Risa’s life began to change. In her words: “I turned humiliation into determination.” All these years later, the little girl who was severely limited by an incorrect label is now an author and speaker. She gives God all the credit.    Check out her website at www.risascorner.net and her books on Amazon. 

Paralympian, Gia Pergolini joins me for an interview. She is an 18-year-old world record holder and gold medalist. I'm a little star struck about interviewing an Olympian!! Gia may be a beast in the pool, but she was full of laughter during her interview.  Check out these Olympic facts: ·         Since the first Olympic games in 1896, the summer Olympics have only been cancelled three times – all as a result of world wars. ·         Not until the 2020 Olympics have the games ever been postponed. They were postponed due to the global pandemic. At the time the games were postponed, Gia was a 16-year-old high school who had been training for her favorite event: the 100-meter-backstroke. She was disappointed but determined to take advantage of the extra time to train.  When the Paralympics were rescheduled for the summer of 2021 in Tokyo, Gia was ready! Gia qualifies for the Paralympics due to her diagnosis of Stargardt’s disease. It’s a rare genetic disease that significantly impacts her vision. She is a fighter. Not only does she navigate life with 30% vision, but she is also a fierce competitor in the pool.  

In Tami O’Connor’s story interview – episode 58 – she shared how her daughter Jordyn’s cancer diagnosis and her passing away tested her ‘even if He does not faith.’ Facing those zigzags drew Tami closer to God. She learned that the faster she surrenders when facing life’s tough challenges, the sooner God will show up. She described surrender as running into the fire, believing He will reveal what she needs to learn.  She explained, “I can honestly say that walking through what I’ve walked through has allowed me to find my even if He does not faith.”   In this episode, Tami shares a deeper understanding of the purpose of Jordyn’s passing: a seed that dies produces a plentiful harvest. It comes from John 12:24, which says, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives.” With Jordyn’s passing only a year ago, God living and working in Tami can be the only explanation for her joy, contagious laughter, and quest to live fully.  Tami discusses the growth she has experienced during the last year, crediting it to intentionally seeking God by studying His Word, journaling, and sharing her heart in prayer. She believes the seed, Jordyn, dying has already started producing a harvest and is expectant for the harvest that will continue to come in the years ahead.