The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

My guest for The Happy Hour # 236 is Shruthi Parker. Shruthi is a professional blogger and event host. Shruthi recently hosted Keep Austin Warm in December 2018 which benefited three Austin nonprofits. Shruthi is passionate about connecting people together and sharing different perspectives with different crowds. Shruthi and her husband live in Austin along with their two rascal dogs. Whether you love it or hate it, social media can bring people together. I met Shruthi through social media and it turns out we go to the same church and live in the same city! After having coffee, I knew I wanted to bring her on the show to share her story. Shruthi and I start off talking about her conversion from Hindu to Christianity that started with a friend named Faye in the 8th grade who invited her to small group. Shruthi shares how this started her down a path that, years later, would bring her to praying "who is God? I need to know who you are, and I need you to be over my life". I got tears in my eyes as Shruthi told me how God revealed His truth while she listened to her boyfriend recite Romans in a Barnes and Noble. She tells us how she hid her faith from her family for fear of disapproval, and how the secret was finally revealed and caused a deep divide. You'll also get to hear about Shruthi's blog and how God used a job that fell through for an even better plan that He had for her. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 235 is Emily P. Freeman. Emily is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Simply Tuesday and A Million Little Ways, and her newest book, The Next Right Thing. As host of The Next Right Thing podcast, she helps create space for the soul to breathe, offering fresh perspective on the sacredness of our inner life with God. Emily and her husband live in North Carolina with their three children. I am so happy to welcome Emily back to the show today! Emily and I jump right in to discuss how unmade decisions can hold so much power in our lives, but Emily offers a game-changer. Emily describes how we can develop spiritual routines and habits that put ourselves in God's path - intentionally and on purpose! - every single day. When these become part of our days, it helps us see unmade decisions as hopeful opportunities to interact with God and our communities. Emily and I also chat about parenting teenagers and how we react when they make mistakes. Emily shares about her passion of encouraging women to go after their dreams, and you'll get hear about the amazing writing community, hope*writers, that she co-founded. CONNECT WITH JAMIE Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube SPONSORS Bona Premium Spray Mop Smilo - use code HAPPYHOUR for 20% off Thomas' English Muffins - try out the Tex-Mex English Muffin recipe! GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 234 is Scarlet Hiltibidal. Scarlet is a wife, mother, and author of Afraid of All the Things and He Numbered the Pores on My Face. She also writes a regular column for ParentLife Magazine. Scarlet loves sign language with her daughters, nachos by herself, writing for her friends, and learning how to be a pretend-farmer with her husband in Middle Tennessee. Scarlet and I start off the show talking about anxiety. We discuss how it can sometimes be glossed over, how some don't even realize they struggle with it, and how anxiety can be absolutely debilitating. You'll hear Scarlet share how she realized she was afraid of all the things which led to an eating disorder, declining health, secrets, and living a life she was praying God would heal. Scarlet's story of how God called her to bring her secret into the light gives such encouragement to anyone feeling shame or hiding something you think could never be told. Scarlet then tells us how she began to truly rest in Jesus and realize that instead of focusing on all the things, she needed to look up, at God. Scarlet says, "if we are looking at Him, we see life, and hope and love." In the last part of the show, Scarlet shares with us the story of the adoption of her daughter Joy. You guys, adoption was one of the things Scarlet had always been afraid of, and you're going to love hearing her speak of the incredible things God did through their adoption journey. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Panama City Beach Smilo Baby - use code HAPPYHOUR for 20% off  Bolster Sleep  - use code HAPPYHOUR for 12% off Zip Recruiter - try for FREE GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 233 is Lisa Leonard. Lisa is a momma, author, and business owner. Together with her husband Steve, they built a thriving jewelry business, Lisa Leonard Designs. Lisa and Steve have been married 20 years, and have two boys, David and Matthias. Steve and Lisa live in California and her first book, Brave Love, came out in January!  Lisa and I start off the show talking about how she started her business. Lisa then opens up about how she felt like the true Lisa was disappearing in efforts to accommodate others. I appreciated her honesty when she spoke about the fear of rejection she felt when she decided that she wouldn't hide the true Lisa anymore. Lisa and I then talk about what it's been like parenting a special needs child. You will love hearing her story of how God prepared her heart for having a special needs child in the most incredible way through a non-verbal second grader.  Lisa also shares about the grief she's been through. I think we can all relate when you hear her speak of the struggle of confronting dark places of grief instead of putting on a happy face and pretending we're okay. At the end of the show, I had Lisa do something I've never done on my show - read aloud from her book! I loved hearing her words, and I know you'll be encouraged to live life with Brave Love.  Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Bolster Sleep - use code HAPPYHOUR for 10% off Joy Bird - use code HAPPYHOUR for 25% off Third Love - get 15% off your first order GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 232 is Jonathan Pitts. Jonathan is the Executive Pastor at Church of the City and husband to my friend Wynter Pitts, who God called home July 24, 2018. Jonathan and Wynter have four daughters, and on the show today I had the honor to talk with Jonathan about what life has looked like since her passing. Jonathan starts off sharing how the ministry Wynter started, For Girls Like You, is continuing and growing. We then get to hear so many incredible stories of how God has shown Jonathan and his family that He's always been with them as they've walked this road. He talks about learning how God is with us in the present, and because of this truth it is possible to grieve and experience joy in the same space. My faith was so encouraged listening to Jonathan speak about hope amidst suffering. I was reminded that even when there is pain now, it is not wasted. God can use all things for His good and His glory, and there is joy coming in the end because of the cross. Friends, I loved Wynter and am so honored to get to share Wynter's life. If you aren't familiar with her and her ministry, please check out the links from the show - I know you will be encouraged, inspired, and pointed to Jesus. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Nations Photo Lab Prints use code HAPPYHOUR15 for 15 free prints thredUP - get 30% off your first order ButcherBox - get 2 free filet mignons, free bacon, and $20 off your order with code HAPPYHOUR GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 231 is Nicole Walters. Nicole is a former six-figure corporate executive who woke up every morning feeling stuck in the life she built for herself. Using her corporate skills, she took to the internet and built a multi-seven figure business showing others how they can build a life they love. Nicole and her husband reside in Atlanta and are parents to their beautiful girls.  You guys, Nicole is a rock star with her business, but what I think you're going to love about our conversation today is her encouragement that we can let our light shine no matter where God has placed us. Nicole and I start off the show talking about her first side hustle that began with shaving her head, plus more side hustles all leading to a live stream of her quitting her corporate job. Nicole also shares how in the midst of all of that craziness, she and her husband came to adopt their three daughters. Nicole then opens up about her faith journey and what it's been like to be a "faith-forward" business owner. I loved hearing her speak about how her faith is simply how she does business. In our culture where we may feel uncertain how to share our faith, Nicole encourages authenticity, honesty, and vulnerability. I think she summed it up pretty well when she said, "If I can tell you what type of undies I wear, why can't I tell you I pray."  Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Nations Photo Lab Prints - Get 15 Free Square Prints with code HAPPYHOUR15 Bolster Sleep Company use code HAPPYHOUR for 10% off Prep Dish - $4 for a Month-long trial GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 230 is Margaret Feinberg. Margaret is a Bible teacher, speaker, author, and leader at conferences such as Catalyst, Thrive, and Women of Joy. Her books, including The Organic God, The Sacred Echo, Scouting the Divine, Wonderstruck, Fight Back With Joy, and their corresponding Bible studies, have sold more than one million copies and received critical acclaim. Margaret lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, Leif, and their superpup, Hershey.  You guys, I learned so much from my conversation with Margaret that I just can't stop thinking about! On the show today, Margaret and I talk about her journey across the world as she dove into learning about certain foods from the Bible and examining them in light of Scripture. Margaret shares so many amazing stories, each of which opened up the Scripture to me in a brand new way. I especially loved hearing her tell how the Lord led her to fish in the Galilee. What began as a short trip to find a fisherman, turned into spending Passover with the fisherman's entire extended family!  In every one of her stories, the insight she learned about these different foods provides even more insight into the Bible and what God is teaching us. It's truly amazing, and I know you will be as blown away as I was.  Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Nations Photo Lab - use code HAPPYHOUR15 for 15 free square prints! Zola - $50 off wedding registry Third Love - get 15% off your first order Click HERE to Get All the Links from the Show!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 229 is Susan Seay. Susan is a wife and mom of 7 who is fiercely committed to being a voice of encouragement to moms in all stages of motherhood. She and her family make their home in Austin Texas, but her message reaches all across the country and internationally through her podcast, speaking, book, and coaching. You guys, I could have talked to Susan for hours, and I know you’re going to love our conversation no matter what season of life you’re in. Click HERE to read more and get all the links from the show! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube

My guest for The Happy Hour # 228 is Jen Wise. Jen holds an MA in Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and serves as a child advocate with Compassion International as a part of their Artist and Speaker Team. Jen is happy to spend most days rotating between friends, family, writing, cooking, her neighborhood yoga studio, and being an active part of her home church. Jen and I start off the show talking about how we're all walking around exhausted! It doesn't have to be this way, and Jen gives us practical tips on how we can lessen the weight we all feel, all the time. I loved hearing her share about how her own process of letting things go, and fully resting in the grace God has provided. We also chat about friendships, and how in different seasons it can be hard to prioritize, but that it's possible to continue to nurture those relationships. In the second half of the show, the topic of control takes center stage, and we also talk about eating right, getting enough sleep, and all those "taking care of yourself" things that we tend to push to the side. Don't worry friends, our conversation isn't about shaming - it's just the opposite. Jen encourages us that loosening our grip, trusting God more, and taking care of ourselves, helps us live the meaningful life God intends. Links from the Show Jen's Website Jen's Book: The Bright Life Voxer The Quest by Beth Moore Seamless Bible Study by Angie Smith What Jen's loving: Cam & Jeff, Fordite nail polish, Keds by Kate Spade, everything at Madewell What Jen's reading: Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: Prayers of Walter Brueggemann, It's Not Supposed To Be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst, and Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones Lysa Terkeurst on The Happy Hour Sally Lloyd-Jones on The Happy Hour The Story of God's Love for You by Sally Lloyd-Jones Come join The Happy Hour on Patreon If You Only Knew Connect with Jen Twitter// Instagram // Facebook Connect with Jamie + The Happy Hour Twitter // YouTube // Instagram // Facebook See all the links from the show HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 227 is Rachel Joy. Rachel is a pastor's wife, mom to four and the Founder & Executive Director of Sparrow Women. Sparrow Women exists to catalyze the next generation of reconcilers. Rachel is a believer in strong coffee, long dinners, and spontaneous dance parties. On today's show Rachel shares the story of how she came to start Sparrow Women and the Sparrow Conference. Rachel and I talk about what it was like for her when she first started to dig deep and ask questions about racial equality, reflect on her own privilege, and examine how the world is truly set up. I love how Rachel says we are all Kingdom Cultivators, but to do the work, we must first understand what God's kingdom is. Rachel and I discuss how the topic of racial harmony and reconciliation can seem overwhelming at first, and she provides some first steps to take. Rachel also honestly shares how the walk can be messy, the conversations difficult, and we're not promised that it will be easy. But, we are called to be peacemakers and reconcilers, and with Christ, it is possible. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!