Giving Your Best Life

This episode emphasizes the journey of faith amid fear and obedience challenges. The conversation highlights personal anecdotes, biblical insights, and a fresh call to action for listeners seeking renewal and connection to God.

• Reflecting on the need to apologize less and embrace confidence 
• Understanding the lessons from Hebrews 11 on faith and obedience 
• Exploring the importance of intentional prayer in dec...

Skipping an event might seem trivial, but prioritizing well-being is a powerful act and often a mindset shift. In this episode of "Giving Your Best Life," I share my journey in recognizing when to hit pause for the sake of longer-term goals.

Discover how understanding our reasons for saying "yes" can guide us toward intentional decisions that prevent burnout. I also recount leading an event plagued by l...

Have you ever considered that sometimes our greatest lessons come from unexpected places? Join me, Stephanie, as I recount a surprising Sunday at church that reshaped my understanding of serving and giving. 

Through my story, I invite you to explore the notion that service doesn't always mean being in the spotlight but contributing joyfully, even when plans shift unexpectedly. This revelation extends beyond the church...

Have you ever had to make a life-changing decision that went against the advice of your loved ones? Join me, Stephanie, as I share my journey of leaving a career in law enforcement and choosing not to return to corporate America after a layoff, all in pursuit of following Jesus. Reflecting on Luke 15:25-27, we'll explore the emotional and relational costs of true discipleship and discuss why prioritizing our commitment to Chri...

Have you ever wondered how to support a friend when distance separates you? In episode 119 of "Giving Your Best Life," I share the heartfelt journey of staying connected and providing meaningful support to loved ones who are far away.

Then switching gears, get ready to be inspired by an unforgettable trip to Montana, where personal growth met breathtaking landscapes. Accompanied by my husband and niece, I embarke...

Can you truly define success in a way that aligns with both your faith and business aspirations? Join us on the Giving Your Best Life Podcast as Stephanie and Zach Lloyd, Sustainable Anti-Diet Coach, share their personal journey of navigating these two worlds. Discover how they've struggled yet persevered in finding validation beyond worldly measures like income and social media engagement, all while trying to stay true to the...

Imagine the transformative power of movement on mental health. Join us on this enlightening episode of Giving Your Best Life Podcast, where Stephanie and Zach Lloyd delve into the profound connection between physical activity and mental wellness. Hear Stephanie’s touching story about a friend's triumph over depression and anxiety through consistent exercise. Supported by Zach’s detailed scientific insights, discover how even a...

Ready to make the most out of summer? Learn how intentional planning and a "summer dream list" can transform your season from mundane to magical. Stephanie dives into her tactical approach to seizing sunny days in Northwest Indiana, a region where winters are notoriously long and dreary. By categorizing summer activities—whether it's home projects, physical fun, or quality time with loved ones—you can ensure every da...

Have you ever felt paralyzed by worry, unable to seize new opportunities? Reflecting on a heartfelt conversation with a close friend, Stephanie uncovers how worry and anxiety can become a major distraction in our lives. 

In this episode of Giving Your Best Life, we delve into the power of prayer and gratitude as tools to combat anxiety. Inspired by a specific Bible verse, we emphasize the importance of bringing all our con...

Get ready to debunk some fitness myths and learn effective exercise strategies with our special guest, Zach Lloyd, a Sustainable Anti-Diet Coach. Have you ever wondered why walking with small weights seems ineffective? Zach explains how minimal weights like one-pound dumbbells quickly become part of your body weight, losing their effectiveness. We'll also break down the benefits and risks of rucking, a weight-bearing exercise ...

Have you ever wondered how delegating responsibilities can transform not just your leadership but also the lives of those around you? On Episode 113 of Giving Your Best Life, I share a heartfelt personal story about missing a cherished annual event and the surprising growth that came from letting a volunteer step up in my absence. Learn how this decision not only provided the volunteer with invaluable experience but also underscore...

What if achieving your goals meant sacrificing your weekends or rethinking your daily routines? In this episode of Giving Your Best Life, Stephanie and Zach tackle the often-overlooked concept of trade-offs in goal setting. From the substantial time commitments needed for marathon training to the potential strains on personal relationships, we shed light on the intricate balancing act required to pursue significant goals without di...

Have you ever felt sidetracked by well-meaning people, even when you're trying to stay true to the calling God has for your life? Join me, Stephanie, on this powerful episode of the "Giving Your Best Life" podcast as we wrap up our distraction series by focusing on the often-overlooked topic of people who divert us from our path. I'll share personal stories about my own struggles with staying on track.

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As Stephanie wandered through the forest, the serenity of mushroom hunting became a profound metaphor for pursuing our calling. In this episode, Stephanie weaves together lessons from Proverbs 3:5-6 and Ephesians 6:11.

Our journey doesn't end with finding focus amidst life's distractions, it's also about the enduring virtues of patience and persistence. Stephanie shares anecdotes from the quiet underbrush of...

Spring has sprung and so have Stephanie and I, Zach, straight into the heart of outdoor fitness—and we're taking you with us! As the days grow longer, it's time to shed those winter blues and find exhilaration in the most unexpected places: your very own backyard. From transforming mundane yard work into a heart-pumping exercise to venturing out with your four-legged friends, we're here to show you how simple, everyd...

Sometimes the most turbulent waters reveal the pearls of our deepest transformations. In a heartfelt exchange on our latest podcast, Zach Lloyd, a beacon of hope whose story punctuates my book "The Gratitude Challenge," opens up about his life's rough patches that ultimately sculpted the man he is today. Together, we navigate the emotions of the past—bullying, heartbreak, substance abuse—and how these shared experien...

Rebecca Shellito stepped into the spotlight,  as she accepted an honor that many would covet - yet for her, it was a mountain of anxiety to climb. Our heart-to-heart conversation reveals Rebecca's raw battle with the glare of recognition while juggling life as a caregiver for her child with autism. As I walk her through her trepidation and strategize ways to navigate this prestigious event, we uncover the universal stress of p...

Stephanie and Zach share the transformative power of confronting friends with love and courage. Zach, always the advocate for transparency, recounts the vital lessons learned from friends who once held their tongues when guidance was most needed. Together, we dissect the delicate art of understanding intentions behind advice, and how this molds our personal growth and spiritual paths.

It's an episode that transcends t...

Have you ever felt the weight of your possessions taking up physical and mental space to distract you from pursuing your calling? Join me, Stephanie, as I reveal the transformation that unfolded when I cleared out a space for my prayer closet, inviting a deeper connection with the divine. Our latest heart-to-heart dissects the poignant message of 1 John 2:15-17, shedding light on the traps of materialism and the overshadowing of ou...