The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

My guest for The Happy Hour #217 is JJ Heller. JJ is a singer/songwriter committed to spreading a message of hope and peace to women in an increasingly complex, competitive and confusing world. JJ has developed an iconic and unmistakable style of her own, and her music inspires listeners to embrace the beauty and brokenness of life with a whole heart. JJ and her husband Dave reside in Nashville with their two daughters. JJ and I start off the show talking about comparison. Friends, we all do it and we all know we need to stop! God gave JJ a new perspective to consider when the internal comparison talk starts, and it's something we can all remember and use. JJ then shares how the life and dreams she had as an athlete suddenly came to a close. Feeling unsure of what was next for her, God planted the seed in her heart for music while she was singing a song washing dishes in the bush of Africa! JJ then opens up about suffering from panic attacks and anxiety. JJ speaks about how it was difficult to share her story, but God nudged her to use her voice - and in a big way! She speaks about the freedom she felt after telling her story, and you will absolutely love hearing the many ways she has seen God use her story of brokenness to bring healing to others. In the last part of the show, we hear more about JJ's music and how a conversation with Bob Goff (yes, THE Bob Goff), changed her view on what success looks like. Friends, I absolutely loved talking with JJ and could have talked with her for hours. If you are struggling with fear and anxiety, my hope is that you heard that you are not alone, and that God can bring healing and use our brokenness for good. I also hope you feel encouraged to share your story with a trusted friend and together we can support each other on our journeys. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour #216 is Landyn Hutchinson. Landyn is a lifestyle influencer/blogger and creator of Living With Landyn. Landyn is an expert on home aesthetic, beauty, and fashion and provides her followers with genuine, authentic recommendations. Landyn has created an incredibly engaged community and her passion is to help women feel confident, empowered, and inspired. Landyn and I start off the show talking about her life's journey including working as a nurse, momma, wife to an NFL pro, and now business owner of Living with Landyn. We talk about the changes that happened as her husband retired from the NFL and her role from stay at home momma transitioned to working momma and now traveling momma with her Hey Landyn Live tour. As many of you know, Landyn gives great tips about recipes to home decor and entertaining, and skin care - including shaving your face! Yes friends, I'm serious - just check out the link below! I appreciated Landyn's honesty when she spoke about how she and her family have managed this transition, including a really challenging time she faced. Landyn shares how she's learned to let the village help and that we can't do it alone. We also chat about the looks we both get when we say that we love our husbands more than our kids! Ladies, we have to invest in marriage and continue to date our husbands! Landyn was a joy to talk to and just like chatting with the best girlfriend you didn't know you needed. I hope you enjoyed our conversation as much as I did! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour #215 is Dorena Williamson. Dorena is a bridge builder and author of ColorFull, ThoughtFull and GraceFull, children's books that celebrate God's diverse kingdom. This series is inspired from twenty-three years as first lady of Nashville's Strong Tower Bible Church, a multiracial faith community Dorena and her husband Dr. Chris planted in 1995. Dorena and her husband have four wonderful children. Dorena and I start off the show talking about how a move to Nashville to further her husband Chris' rap career, ended up leading them to found a multi-racial church in a civil war rich town! Dorena shares how she had no idea that God would use all her years raising kids and leading worship to combine her passions and experiences into something bigger down the road. When we're itching to jump to the finish line because we want to know where God is leading us, Dorena encourages cultivating faithfulness, and describes how this can bring renewal of faith. Dorena and I then discuss the importance and value of having honest conversations about race, and recognizing the diversity of colors God created vs. being "colorblind". We also talk about how we as parents should be the first voices to talk about race with our kids, and the different ways we can make this happen. Friends, my hope is that through the show today you feel encouraged and empowered to have conversations about racial equality and bridge building. Check out the resources below, including Dorena's fantastic books, and connect with Dorena and me as well! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour #214 is Alex Seeley. Alex is a passionate communicator who speaks the truth in love. Alex is the Lead Pastor of The Belonging Co Church, and author of Tailor Made. Alex and her husband Henry have two children, Holly and Taylor, and reside in Tennessee. Alex and I start off the show talking about her across the globe move from Australia to Tennessee knowing that God was leading them, but not knowing what would come next. Alex describes how she was convinced she was done pastoring churches, but God had other plans. What started out as simply inviting 5 friends to their home on Tuesday nights, became an "accidental" church plant and has grown into the church Alex and her husband lead today. I loved hearing Alex share the way God reminded and encouraged her of how we can be the bride He's coming back for. In the second half of the show, Alex and I talk about the lies we encounter in our daily lives that distract from the truth of what God says. Alex reminds us that it's a choice we must make every day to "pick up His word and actually believe it." We also talk about those times we are in the wilderness. Alex provides so much encouragement when she speaks of the wilderness as an opportunity for more: in the wilderness God shows us what we truly believe about Him when there is nothing else, and this true presence of God can change everything. Friends, my hope is that every one of us will go to God and ask Him to show us the lies we are believing, and be reminded of the truth of what He says. Seek out a trusted friend, share what you learned in your time with God, and together we can help point each other to Jesus. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour #213 is Jessica Turner. Jessica is the author of the newly released Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose the Guilt, Work Smarter, and Thrive and The Wall Street Journal bestselling book The Fringe Hours. She is also an award-winning marketing professional and speaker, and the founder of the lifestyle blog The Mom Creative. She and her husband, Matthew, live with their three children in Nashville, Tennessee. I am so happy to welcome my friend Jessica back to the show! Jessica and I start out talking about books, which if you love books you need to follow her Instagram profile where she shares about what she's reading! We then dive in and talk about the concept of mental load. Friends, I know we all suffer from the stress of mental load - coordinating, managing, analyzing, and juggling in our minds ALL THE THINGS, am I right? Jessica shares practical tips for managing mental load and reminds us that self-care is not selfish, it's necessary. We also discuss how we need to stop separating ourselves based on where/what/when we work. I love how Jessica says whether you're a stay at home mom or a working mom, "we are all moms who love our kids"! In the second half of the show, Jessica shares the story of when her husband Matthew (a published author) wrote his first children's book, he was turned down a dozen times. Instead of letting that stop them, Jessica and Matthew self-published the book, it sold out, and now it's sold 100,000 copies! You guys, I loved talking with Jessica today and I know that through our conversation I was reminded of the grace God gives us every single day, and how we can extend grace and care to each other and to ourselves. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour #212 is Nicole Zasowski. Nicole is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Connecticut where she lives with her husband, Jimmy and her son, James. As an old soul who wears her heart proudly on her sleeve, Nicole also enjoys writing about her story and the way she sees God moving and molding her through it. Her first book is due to come out in January 2020! Alright friends, get your hearts ready because on today's show Nicole and I talk about feelings. Whether you're cringing or leaping with joy at this news, I promise this show is for you and you will be encouraged by her words. As Nicole shares at the start of the show, we can't believe the lie that no one can understand our pain because we all at some point experience pain ... and, we all have strategies we use to try protect ourselves from pain. Nicole shares her own story of how she realized her self-protection strategies were no longer working. It started with a cross-country move 7 years ago, and since then she has also had to walk through 5 miscarriages in just 4 years. She admits that it was hard to face that her strategies weren't the answer, but when she was truly honest with herself and others, she started to "find a way through, not a way out" of the pain. Nicole also offers specific advice on how to walk along side a friend going through hard times. In the second half of the show, Nicole explains more about the Restoration Therapy model she uses that focuses on how we each have encountered love and trust. She also fills us in on what those protection strategies we use can look like. You guys, I think we can all identify ways we stuff our feelings or protect ourselves from pain. But, as Nicole said, our short term solution is just creating long-term pain. God does not love us any less when we grieve or hurt. He loves us through ALL of it, and He already knows our hearts. I loved talking with Nicole today, and I hope that you feel encouraged in the freedom you can experience when we are honest with God, ourselves, and each other! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour #211 is Sanya Richards-Ross. Sanya is a 4-Time Olympic Gold medalist in track and field, NBC Sports Analyst, Nike brand ambassador, entrepreneur, speaker, and author. Sanya still holds the fastest American record in the 400! If you've listened to the show for a while, you guys know my love of sports. But, you may not know that I was in the Olympics for track and field... ok, ok, so it was the Junior Olympics in 9th grade, but still! You can imagine my excitement to have Sanya on the show today - I was so giddy I even showed her my Junior Olympics medals! Sanya tells us about what it was like to be a professional athlete and compete in 3 Olympic Games. Sanya also tells us how she made the decision to retire at the Olympic Trials before Rio due to injuries. Sanya speaks of God's faithfulness in how she was still able to be a part of the Rio games as a sports analyst, and became the first woman in the commentator booth in 20 years. Sanya and I then talk about her walk with Jesus including the day she crossed a line she never thought she would and had an abortion. Sanya shares how she felt unredeemable and completely broken. She then describes a bus ride where she ended up lost and alone in China at the Beijing Games, and Jesus met her exactly where she was and helped her know He still loved her and that He forgave her. I enjoyed talking with Sanya today so much, and I hope that through our conversation you see how God loves His children, and through the giftings He gives as well as in our brokenness, He is always faithful and always good. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour #210 is Taylor Nichols. Taylor is one of the kindest friends I know, and I'm so honored to have her on the show today. Taylor is momma to two boys and a girl, with another sweet baby girl on the way! Taylor will soon be launching a podcast called Speak Life with Taylor Nichols so be sure to keep an eye out for that. You guys, I have been wanting to bring my friend Taylor on the show for a while now. She has an incredible story and speaks such hope and encouragement - I just know you're going to love our conversation. Taylor and I start off the show talking about her beautiful family, and how their daughter through adoption and her baby girl will be just 11 months apart! Taylor then shares her story of her childhood church experience that resulted in a great deal of hurt for her and her family. Taylor speaks of the challenges she dealt with regarding faith and the church once she was able to leave. Taylor admits that her walk with God has been hard, but she is so thankful for the gift of faith in Him that has remained throughout. In the second half of the show Taylor opens up about losing her father. Taylor talks about learning to have grace in grief and the importance of walking through every part of it. I loved hearing her describe how her dad never missed a chance to "love big" and share his heart, and how that has impacted how she lives her life today. Taylor offers such wise encouragement when she says, with grief, "you don't get over it, you learn to walk through it.". I am so proud of my friend and am so thankful to her for sharing her story. Life is messy and it's hard, but what stands out to me in all of the stories is that when we look closely, amidst the mess, God is always there, with us and for us. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 209 is Jenna Kutcher. Jenna walked away from her corporate office job with nothing more than a camera from Craigslist, and turned that investment into a 7-figure photography and education business. Jenna also runs and hosts the Goal Digger Podcast, an authentic, business-focused show that caters towards women entrepreneurs. Her biggest passion is to invest in entrepreneurs so that they have the tools to authentically grow their businesses. On today's show Jenna shares with us how she bought a camera, claimed her new title of "wedding photographer", and pursued her dream to spend her time doing what her heart valued. Jenna dispels the myth that work and passions can't align, and encourages us to find what inspires and energizes us and go after it! If you don't follow Jenna on Instagram, you should. Jenna has beautiful pictures that aren't just a highlight reel, but walks through the ups, downs, and everything in between! Jenna tells us why she decided to post pictures that show her in real life and how she hopes to encourage women to embrace and love who they are, just as they are. In the last part of the show, Jenna opens up about her walk through infertility, miscarriages, and her current pregnancy. Jenna describes the anger she felt after the miscarriages and how she realized her need to surrender and trust God. I think we can all think of a situation where you "knew there was a bigger plan, but it's sometimes hard to believe" amidst the circumstances. I loved my conversation today with Jenna and her encouragement to pursue what we value, embrace who we are, and to surrender and trust God! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 208 is Katie Davis Majors. Katie is an author, speaker, blogger, and founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that cares for vulnerable children and families in Uganda. Katie moved to Uganda over a decade ago with no idea that this would be the place that God chose to build her home and her family. Today, she is a wife to Benji and mama to her fourteen favorite people. Katie and I start out the show talking about Katie's journey to Uganda and adoption of her 13 girls. When Katie was 18, she made her first trip to Uganda and knew she'd be back. Katie tells us how 80% of East African children are in orphanages not because of lack of family, but due to poverty. Katie learned that in some cases simply paying for school would allow those children to stay with their families. Katie kept sponsoring more kids, and more and more people joined in to support these kids and Amazima Ministries was born! Katie then shares how she came to know and foster 3 girls. When it became clear that there was no family for these children to be reunited with, they became Katie's daughters through adoption. The stories continued and by age 23, Katie was now mom to her 13 beautiful girls. We then talk about the difficult season she walked through facing multiple losses. Katie speaks about the loneliness, pain, and questions she had and describes how near God was to her in that time. She reminds us, "we can bring our hearts to God, He sees them anyway, and He loves us regardless." I also appreciated her honesty in talking about challenges that can happen in adoption with connecting with your children. In the last part of our conversation, we get to hear the story of Katie and her husband Benji and their family of 13 daughters and a son. You guys - it is the sweetest and includes both of them declining dates with each other at one point! I loved my conversation with Katie so much. I was encouraged, inspired, and reminded of how when we say yes, whether it's moving overseas or sponsoring a child's education, God does amazing, incredible things! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!