Episode Description Join us as we dive into the subtle yet profound ways courage manifests in our daily lives. This episode, titled "Everyday Courage: The Strength of Small Choices," explores how everyday decisions can be acts of bravery that significantly shape our personal growth and happiness. From redefining courage to sharing transformative st…

In this inspiring episode of "Lives of Courage," we delve into the transformative power of social connections and their essential role in our well-being. Discover the scientific and emotional facets of why we are inherently wired to seek connections, hear personal stories that highlight the profound impact of robust social ties, and learn practical…

In this enlightening episode of the "Lives of Courage" podcast, host Jessica Stong dives deep into the transformative power of courageous self-love and self-acceptance. Unpack the essence of embracing our authentic selves in a world that often values conformity and outward success. Discover why turning inward and fostering a compassionate relations…

In this episode of "Lives of Courage," we delve into the soul-stirring query of our existence, inspired by Billie Eilish's reflective lyrics in "What Was I Made For." As Eilish contemplates, "I used to know but I'm not sure now, What I was made for," we find ourselves at the heart of a shared human experience—questioning our path and earnestly seek…

In this compelling episode of Lives of Courage, we delve into the profound and often misunderstood world of desire. Inspired by the rich insights of Trevor Hudson's "Seeking God" and complemented by the deep explorations in Curt Thompson's "The Soul of Desire," we embark on a journey to understand the true essence of our heart's longings. Desire is…

In this enlightening episode, we delve deep into the second pillar of the Cycle of Courage: Connection. Often overlooked but crucially important, Connection serves as the relational backbone that amplifies our capacity for courage. Discover the three key aspects of Connection—connecting with oneself, others, and God—and how they serve as catalysts …

In today's fast-paced world, stress and burnout are becoming the norm rather than the exception. So how do we push the 'reset' button on our mental well-being? This episode explores the concept of a 'Mental Health Day'—what it is, why you desperately need one, and how to plan it effectively. Host Jessica Stong dives into the science-backed benefits…

In this compelling episode of "The Lives of Courage Podcast," we delve deep into the transformative power of emotions with our episode titled "Feel It to Heal It." We explore the four common pathways people take when faced with uncomfortable emotions: Distract, Shut It Down, Overreact, and Feel the Feeling. Each option comes with its own set of cha…

In this profound episode of the Lives of Courage podcast, Jessica Stong delves deep into the intricate realm of cognition, a foundational pillar of the Cycle of Courage. Journey with Jessica as she unravels how our thoughts not only shape our emotions and actions but also sculpt the outcomes we experience in life. Drawing from the transformative TE…

In this today's episode, we dive deep into the profound mutual growth that occurs between a guide and their clients. From transformative stories of resilience and empathy to the unexpected ways clients have served as teachers, this episode is a celebration of the shared human journey. Tune in to explore the interwoven paths of lessons, gratitude, a…

In this episode, Jessica dives deep into the ancient concept of 'embodied shalom'—a holistic peace that permeates our body and every action, thought, and emotion. Discover how this profound experience intertwines with courage, the steps to integrate it into our daily rhythm, and a transformative weekly challenge to help listeners embark on the brav…

Episode Summary:Dive into the complex relationship between anxiety and courage, unraveling their historical context, understanding modern triggers, and discovering ways to navigate this emotional landscape. In today's episode, we dive deep into the intricate interplay of anxiety and courage. In a world filled with constant notifications, pressures,…

In this heartwarming episode of the Lives of Courage podcast, join us for a delightful conversation with Theo, a bright and curious 7-year-old, as he explores the world of boredom and play with his parent, Jess. Together, they delve into the fascinating topic of why being bored can actually be a good thing!Theo and Jess candidly share their experie…

Welcome to another invigorating episode of "Lives of Courage with Jessica Stong." This week, we are delving into the captivating concept of the Healthy Mind Platter, a mental wellness model formulated by renowned experts Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Dr. David Rock. Tune in to explore the seven essential activities that promote a balanced and thriving m…

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, Jess peels back the layers of an imposter self, wrestling with anxiety and depression, revealing a story that resonates with our shared human experience. Through the wisdom of Brennan Manning, Jessica explores the "unaffected heart" - a state of dispassion that can creep into our lives, resulting in u…

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the hidden depths of our identities, exploring the imposter that lurks within us all and the shadow self that we often ignore. Drawing on the profound insights of Brennan Manning's "Abba's Child" and Thomas Merton's wisdom, we discuss how our false self can blind us to our true potential and hinder o…

In this meaningful episode, we explore the concept of the 'Wounded Healer' as described by spiritual guides Henri Nouwen and Brennan Manning. Drawing on Nouwen’s transformative idea that our deepest wounds could be a source of healing for ourselves and others, we delve into how struggles can lead to a profound understanding of our shared humanity. …

Welcome to this week's episode! In this installment, we delve into the vital topic of emotional well-being and the transformative power of self-care habits. Life's journey presents us with ups and downs, and it's crucial to recognize that it's okay to not always feel okay. Our host, Jessica, shares her personal experiences and insights on maintaini…

Welcome to the Lives of Courage podcast, where we explore the transformative power of emotions and their profound impact on our lives. In this episode, we delve into the concept of emotional clarity and its role in guiding us towards personal growth and positive change. Join your host, Jessica Stong, as she uncovers the secrets to understanding and…

In this episode, we delve into the encouraging (and unfiltered!) world of the Psalms. The Psalms have long been a source of comfort, guidance, and inspiration; these biblical prayers and hymns offer solace during trying times, inspire courage in the face of fear, and foster a deeper relationship with God. They offer ways for us to empower our praye…

In this powerful episode of Lives of Courage, we delve into a fascinating conversation about rewriting our stories and how fear can be transformed into a tool for personal growth. What You'll Learn: Understanding fear as a natural human emotion. Recognizing and breaking free from fear-induced patterns. How to consciously shift focus from fear to mo…

In this episode of Lives of Courage, host Jessica Stong takes you on a transformative journey as she explores the practical application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in everyday life. Discover how integrating CBT principles can empower your mindset, improve your mental well-being, and help you navigate life's challenges with resilience and …

Welcome to another episode in the Mental Health Matters Series. Today, we tackle a sensitive yet crucial topic that affects countless lives around the world: youth suicide. This episode aims to shed light on the complex factors that contribute to this devastating issue, while also exploring strategies and resources for promoting mental health. Join…

Welcome back to another episode the Mental Health Matters series during May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. I’m honored to discuss some of the crucial issues surrounding mental well-being. Today we're diving into a topic that needs careful consideration: breaking the blame game. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of blaming parents fo…

Join me as I discuss the facts and statistics for Mental Health Awareness Month - celebrated every May since 1949!! It's so important for us to educate ourselves and others about the importance of taking care of our mental health. This year, Mental Health Awareness Month is more critical than ever, as the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our daily l…

It's time we start talking about our mental health. And let's be honest, this episode has been a long time coming. It's my time to share. So here's my raw, unedited, unscripted (of course) story of my family's current journey. I'm scared and filled with shame but I'm going to choose courage. I accept this is part of my story. And I just pray it hel…

In part two of this goal setting series, I discuss why it’s so important to co-create goals with an open hand. I want to introduce you to my five step roadmap for goals that the results: Download Prioritize Commit Believe Practice Maybe you’re ready to set some powerful and exciting goals for 2022. I want to help you. If you join the Courageous Lif…

One of the best ways we can set goals that get results is to get clear about where we’ve been - because our past often impacts our future if we allow it. So in this episode, part one of goal setting, I want to help you reflect on 2021. Life can be crazy. There’s always work coming in and piling up, chores and errands to be run, people and relations…

Here’s the truth; so many of us are feeling overwhelmed right now. And we "should" ourselves this time of year. I hear it all the time - "I should be doing more; I should be doing less; I shouldn't be so frazzled; I should be a more engaged parent; I should be happier than I feel right now; I should have made more money; I should be further along i…

We haven’t been taught how to deal with stress! And we’re more fried than ever. Anxious about our health, money, work. You name it. In the final conversation on the five barriers to joy, I discuss what happens when you're overloaded with worry. The kind of worry that pretends to be helpful and necessary. What you can do: Back up and breathe. Length…

Oh, social media. It's so easy to get stuck in the compare and despair trap. While scrolling, we often find ourselves thinking everyone’s life is easy and great. We look at filtered and planned images and think our lives don't measure up. We've heard so many about how our social media habits might be eroding our self esteem. In 2017, the Journal of…

We all feel stuck sometimes. And as a result, some of us try to go into overdrive. We over-perform, over-work, over-think. But when we start spinning our wheels, we need to get clear about our goals and what matters. Here's where I love to discuss extrinsic goals - fame and wealth vs. intrinsic goals - personal growth, relationships and community. …

I am passionate about teaching people about their brains. So in this episode I want to explain how your primitive brain reacts to joy. If we don't understand that our primitive brain is designed to keep us safe, out of harms way, AND to seek pleasure. We think there is something wrong with us. We think we are broken. What to do: Look for bright spo…

Welcome to this week's series: Top Five Barriers to Joy!! I'm so excited to discuss ways to overcome the top five barriers to feeling good. Listen, it’s a universal truth - we all are on some form of a pursuit of happiness. We want to feel less stress and more joy. There is so much information out there on the topic from TED talks to books to podca…

Oh, friends. I'm coming to you with something very near and dear to my heart. I want to discuss gratitude. Listen, we all know gratitude matters. Gratitude will change you and shape you. Gratitude will connect you and us and your heart to divine love. Gratitude heals us. Gratitude has so many benefits physically, psychologically and socially. But w…

Do you ever feel exhausted after making decision after decision? Or maybe you're mentally exhausted at the end of the day? At the end of a long week? We have SO many choices day in and day out: what to do, what to eat, what to wear, how to parent, what you should listen to, what book to read. Often, at the end of the day, we experience something ca…

Oh, friend. I hear about it so often, clients just want to find greater focus. They feel like they have a ton of open tabs all pulled up in their brain at once. They report they try to get work done but end up trying to do everything all at once so get nothing really done at all. (And let's be clear, I certainly fall in this camp at times.) But the…

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in this life - and that I keep needing to relearn - is that if you don’t feel your emotions, they will begin to spill out all over the place. Imagine picking up your emotions and stuffing them into a backpack. A cute, brightly colored, designer backpack, but a backpack nonetheless. You place your emotions in…

Do you have goals and dreams left unfinished? Maybe you had something(s) on your 2021 vision board that you have yet to accomplish? Listen, I want to help you finish the last 90 days of 2021 on your terms. In your way. I want you to accomplish all that you desire. Maybe you need to renew your focus. Maybe you want to formulate a plan. Or maybe you …

I'm thrilled to introduce Kerri Thompson today! Kerri is hosting The Thriving Mom Summit and I can't wait for you to hear more about her and her story of courage, grace and strength. And as for The Thriving Mom Summit, I’ll be joining Kerri and an amazing group of 30+ expert speakers for this FREE virtual summit from October all about helping moms …

I'm so excited to introduce you all to Jess with JessDunegan Design!! Today we're discussing why branding matters and why it's never too early (or late) to tell your story and create connection. I had the privilege of working with Jess on my recent rebranding (and will be sharing more about the process in my newsletter). Jess is a brand specialist,…

Oh, friends. We've all been there. We get stuck. We see things from one view, one mental picture and it feels overwhelming and limiting but we don't see any other way. Usually, someone unhelpfully tells us we need a new perspective. (If only it was that easy, right?) In this episode, I speak to why perspective matters and how we can change our view…

I'm back, baby!! You should know that I truly have missed you! I have to be honest, it's felt like a long road to get back to this place. From doubt to fear to entitlement to anger, I've experienced all the feelings. But I walked away with a feeling of profound gratitude. Gratitude for your support and your willingness to wait for me to feel it all…

Oh, friends. I’m on a highly encouraged break. (As one doc said, you get one brain. Treat it well.) So today is just a quick life and health update along with three questions: 1. How are you prioritizing what matters? 2. Are you waiting until something major happens that requires you to change? 3. Are you willing to say no to something to say yes t…

Our attachment patterns, translated into and through our neural networks, affect all areas of our lives. Our relationships with ourselves are impacted by our attachments - what we think of ourselves and our beliefs about who we are and what we can do. These attachments also impact our relationships with other people. Today, let's dig deep into how …

Stephen Covey discussed the term abundance mentality or abundance mindset in his 1989 best-seller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He said it is simply ”a concept in which a person believes there are enough resources and successes to share with others.” Our words create more abundance or scarcity. Our words form the thoughts we have ar…

This week we’re discussing why we don’t treat ourselves, why so many women take care of others first, and why taking care of yourself and valuing yourself matters. The phrase "Treat Yo' Self" became popular when the show, Parks and Rec referenced it. On the show, the characters, Donna and Tom have a day where they buy luxurious items. As Tom explai…

In this week’s live, I want to invite you to examine and change your relationship with wealth and hopefully expand your thinking around what it means to be financially free. We all have stories about our finances and wealth. No matter how much you earn now or how stuck in debt you are or how you’re doing as compared to others, your brain is always …

Do you ever feel guilty for NOT doing anything? You feel like you always have to be moving and doing, instead of just “being.” We live in a society where we feel like how much we get done and how busy our lives are is equivalent to our level of success - and that simply isn’t true. Let’s fix the manuals we have for our lives and start changing our …

We live in a disconnected world. We are so busy and overwhelmed. So many of us lose sight of what matters. So much of our life is spent avoiding and hiding. We try to outrun our inner world, by being busy, by performing acts, doing things for God, instead of being. Instead of inviting in - we focus outward. We perform. And how do you deal with this…