The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

My guest for The Happy Hour # 207 is Liz Vice. Liz began her career in film and video, only to accidentally find herself behind the mic. Liz' signature soulful sound is deeply rooted in spirituality and she released her sophomore album Save Me in June. A Portland native, Liz now resides in Brooklyn. Liz and I start off the show talking about how she never intended to be a musician. Liz' background was in film and video and she even had a full ride to film school. Due to a variety of factors, she declined the scholarship and continued work in tv/film. But, she kept feeling nudges toward music. Liz describes how she was certain that becoming a musician was not for her, but that God pursued her and how she said yes to her new path. In the second half of the show Liz and I talk about how her new album Save Me, and what it's like to share her music with the world. She describes her shows and music as the story of her testimony, and that it is a sacred time for her when she's on stage. I loved hearing her share stories of people she's met and how Jesus has guided her and the songs she creates. You guys isn't it so amazing - so many times on the show we've heard women tell us how God has nudged them into things they would have never expected or originally said yes to! Then, we get to hear how He continually pursues us and does such incredible things like in Liz' story today - I love it! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 206 is Jessica Honegger. Jessica is an award-winning social entrepreneur with a passion for catalyzing others to step outside their comfort zones and live lives of purpose. Jessica is the founder and co-CEO of Noonday Collection, a social impact fashion brand dedicated to designing and selling an inspired collection of jewelry and accessories made by Artisans in vulnerable communities. Noonday Collection was featured in Inc. magazine’s 2015 list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in America at number 45. Jessica won the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for central Texas in 2017. You guys know I am a fan of all things Noonday, and I'm so happy to welcome Jessica back to The Happy Hour as we discuss leadership, showing up for each other, being more present, and celebrate the launch of her first book! Jessica and I start off the show talking about leadership. Jessica talks about how leadership can happen in the everyday. Friends, this means each one of us has the capacity to lead. Leadership is about recognizing what we see in others and helping each other feel seen. This is such an encouragement - every single one of us has the power to lead, every day. Whether it's a note to a friend recognizing what they're doing or telling your neighbor or co-worker what you appreciate about them, we can all do this for each other! We talk about the struggle in our culture to be present, and the need for time to rest. Jessica shares her own challenges with finding balance. I think we can all relate to feeling like it's impossible to take a break, and it seems like the answer should be to work harder to get it all done, right? But, as Jessica describes, what we actually need, and what can help us truly be more productive is if we take time to rest. Jessica and I also talk about her hopes and desires for her book Imperfect Courage. We talk about handling criticism, and I appreciate Jessica's strength in creating spaces to have meaningful dialogues where it's okay to disagree. In the last part of the show, we have a ton of fun doing Q&A from you! As always, I loved having Jessica on the show and know you'll be encouraged by our conversation. And I'm putting forth a challenge: let's ask ourselves, how can we show up for someone this week? We all can do it - so let's make it happen! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 205 is Suzanne Stabile. Suzanne is an internationally recognized Enneagram Master, author, and speaker. As an Enneagram Master, she has conducted over 500 Enneagram workshops over the last 25 years to many audiences including churches, colleges, and hospitals. Suzanne is mom to four, and grandmother to seven, and when she's not on the road teaching, she resides in Dallas with her husband Rev. Joseph Stabile. Friends, I am so excited and honored to share today's show with you. Suzanne is so gracious and full of wisdom - I know you're going to love our conversation as much as I did! Suzanne starts off the show sharing some history about the Enneagram including how it can be most helpful and ways to utilize it most effectively. She shares her thoughts on the prevalence of the Enneagram lately and reminds us that the Enneagram is a tool to help understand the motivations of our own and others' behaviors and "offers us nine ways of seeing the world." Suzanne and I then talk about the Enneagram with children, parenting, and adoption. She is often asked about using the Enneagram in parenting. Suzanne tells us that a person's number can be well determined by just 5 years old, but she urges caution and believes it should not be taught until 16. But don't worry if you're wondering, but what can I do now? She gives us wise advice and encouragement for a place to start: "If you want to use the Enneagram for parenting, then be the healthiest person in your number." Suzanne also shares that she was adopted, and how that has influenced her work. Suzanne speaks truth when we talk about adoption, trauma, and how wounds can heal, but we must recognize they are always part of the person. You guys, there are so many great things in this show that I want to include it all! So go back and listen again or better yet, learn more by checking out the links below. But one last thing - it came up a few times during the show - Suzanne stresses the importance of doing the work to figure out your Enneagram number, and don't rely on simply taking a test. As Suzanne states, "There’s no reason to take a shortcut with something that is so valuable." Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 204 is Elyse Fitzpatrick. Elyse is an author of nearly 2 dozen books on the gospel and Christian living, renowned speaker, and hosts a podcast with her family. Elyse is passionate about delivering the gospel to women and helping women see Jesus' love everywhere in the Bible. Elyse is mom to 3 marrieds, and mimi to 6 grands, and she and her husband Phil reside in Southern California. I am so happy to welcome Elyse back to The Happy Hour! Elyse is always a joy to have on the show and I know you will be so encouraged to dive into the Word after our conversation today. Elyse and I start off the show talking about her motivation to write her most recent book: Finding the Love of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. Elyse describes how she wants women to see how every part of the Bible is pointing to Jesus and His love for us. Elyse gives us several great examples of how we can see God interacting with women right from the beginning in redemptive ways - you guys, there were definitely parts of our conversation where I just had to take a moment because of the awesomeness and love God shows us through His word! In the second part of the show Elyse and I talk about how women may have felt dismissed or that theology was just "for the guys". Elyse explains how Jesus not only tells us the Word is absolutely for all of us - women and men-, but she also points out specific ways Jesus calls us to know and love the Scripture as He did. We also talk about seeing women leaders rise up in the church and that no matter if you're in a full-time vocational ministry or not, that we can know and love the Scripture - and as we do, we will understand more and more of Jesus' love for us! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 203 is Jamie Grace. Jamie is a 2-time GRAMMY nominated singer-songwriter who started out sharing a mixture of improv comedy, cover songs and sharing her life story on YouTube at just 14 years old. At the time, Jamie was newly diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, OCD, ADHD and Anxiety. Twelve years later, Jamie is a touring artist as well as podcaster, and author. But Jamie says at the core of it all she's still an awkward kid on YouTube hoping to inspire others -- and make friends :) You guys have been asking and asking and it's here!!! On this week's show I get to talk with the amazing Jamie Grace and I know you are going to love this Happy Hour. Jamie and I jump in and start talking about how it all started - she tells us about when she was 14 years old, she posted a video on YouTube as a way to channel her energy and creativity. Between the ages of 9 -13 years old, Jamie struggled with her emotions, friendships, and the diagnoses of Tourette Syndrome OCD, ADHD, and Anxiety. She realized creative outlets were a path to freedom and discovery about God's purpose for her, and how she could rebuild her life. Of course, I had to ask her what her parents thought of her posting videos on YouTube when she was just 14! Jamie tells us how they immediately shut it down, but that when they rebooted it, and to this day, her parents are her managers! In the last part of the show, we get to hear the love story of Jamie and her husband Aaron. You're going to love hearing her describe how she knew she was going to marry him the night she met him (even though she didn't even get his name!), and how they didn't reconnect for a year! As many of you know, Jamie has shared so much on being single and living in a season of waiting, such as on her podcast Wait It Out, and she talks openly about what was challenging. Jamie reminds us that no matter what your season of waiting is for, and no matter what the outcome, we can remind ourselves and each other of the joy, peace, and promises that God has for us. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 202 is Brittany Price Brooker. Brittany is mom, widow and remarried, singer, and speaker passionate about making Jesus known! Together with her husband Daniel, they are raising five children and they've come to be known as the Brooker Bunch! Brittany starts out sharing with us how when she was 25, she lost her husband Patrick and was left a widow with three young children under the age of 3. It was unimaginable, but Brittany describes how even starting with the night before Patrick died, she can see how God was preparing the way for her to be able to walk through her worst nightmare. Brittany tells us about the pain of not only losing her husband, but having to see her children grieve. She so honestly shares her cries out to God. You guys - it will give you chills as you hear how God answered prayer after prayer, and people kept showing up. It is such an encouragement to all of us that we can show up for one another -- even what may seem too small or too crazy can actually make a huge impact in someone's life. In the second half of the show, Brittany describes how God brought her to meet her husband Daniel, who is also a widow. After about a hundred emails they finally had their first phone conversation -- which of course lasted 5 hours! Brittany talks about the tender navigation of bringing two grieving families together. She stresses the importance of grace, therapy, community and allowing everyone to process their feelings and know it's okay to feel sorrow and joy at the same time. Brittany has gone through much suffering in her short life, but in her story you can so clearly hear how Jesus continually brings hope and provision, and that we all have opportunities to show up for each other! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 201 is Priscilla Shirer. Priscilla is a wife, mom, and Bible teacher. She and her husband, Jerry, lead Going Beyond Ministries through which they provide spiritual support and resources to the body of Christ. They count it as their greatest privilege to serve every denomination and culture across the spectrum of the church. Friends, Priscilla is a joy to talk to and you are going to love hearing her speak about her ministry, her family, and how God has led her down paths she never would have imagined (such as how she flat out said No! the first time she was asked to be in a movie!) For the full summary and links to the show, Click Here!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 200 is my all-time favorite guest on The Happy Hour, my husband Aaron Ivey. Friends, I cannot believe that The Happy Hour is celebrating its 200th episode!!! I want to thank each and every one of you for listening, sharing the show, joining us in Book Club or Happy Hour Live, and supporting If You Only Knew. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm honored and humbled to be able to share so many women's stories. These stories made us laugh and cry -- sometimes at the same time! -- and have encouraged, inspired, and most importantly pointed us to the Gospel. On today's show Aaron and I share some favorite moments from The Happy Hour. We hear a little bit from twelve different episodes and we get to talk about everything from the single life, married life, kids, how men and women look at approval, diversity, creativity, and more. I would have loved to share clips from every single episode, but if you want to catch up on any shows you missed, maybe a Happy Hour podcast binge is in order! Thank you again to each and everyone of you for listening, sharing your stories, giving feedback, and building this community. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and here's to the next 200 shows! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 199 is Liz Curtis Higgs. Liz is an author, speaker, and has three abiding passions: encouraging her sisters in Christ, exploring the stories of women in the Bible, and writing novels set in Scotland of old. Liz has written 37 books and travels around the world speaking and encouraging women. Liz is mom to Matthew and Lillian (recent college grads!) and when she's not traveling she loves being home with her husband Bill and her twin tabby cats Boaz and Samson. Friends, I am so excited to share today's episode with you and I know you are going to love hearing from Liz about her story, how she came to write about the "Bad Girls" in the Bible, and her current fight with cancer. No matter what the circumstance, Liz brings hope and encouragement for us all. Liz starts off the show sharing how she came to know Jesus and how He saved her from a life she knew was leading her towards a dead end. She tells us how a couple who had newly come to know Jesus "loved her into the Kingdom" by simply sharing what they had so recently learned. I love that so much because it affirms that we can't know it all, but that doesn't mean God can't use us in ways that impact others. We also talk about shame and how it can stop us from telling our stories or truly experiencing freedom. Liz tells us how she never intended to write "Bad Girls of the Bible" and how God led her down a path that opened more doors than she ever could have imagined. In the last half of the episode, Liz talks about her current fight with cancer - her "annoyance" she calls it. She candidly talks about what it's like to face less than promising news and how even amidst this suffering she sees God's faithfulness each day. She says "no matter what tomorrow brings, God will not be shaken." Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!

My guest for The Happy Hour # 198 is Michelle McKinney. Michelle defines herself as a Dream Architect and she brings her 20-years experience working alongside senior executives at companies such as Starbucks, American Express, Fannie Mae and Zion, to help women design, construct and bring their God-given dreams to life. Michelle and her husband, Tony, reside in Maryland with their 4 children - Caleb, Mekhi, Anthony and Selah. I knew Michelle and I would get along when I saw her dance onto the stage at Shine, and she brings her joy and energy to the show today - I know you're going to love it. Michelle believes that every woman can fulfill her God-given purpose, and on today's show we talk about how women can discover those dreams and move through the restlessness, yearning, and transition of when God is transplanting us to something new. We discuss the struggle of finding contentment in a season instead of only focusing on what's next. I love her idea of keeping a journal to write down your wins each day - it's such a great way to celebrate and look back and see how God has been working in your life. In the second half of the show we discuss one of my favorite topics - marriage. Michelle speaks about marrying for love and purpose. She says, "marriage is about partnership and being able to build something to advance God’s kingdom even more than what you could do alone." Lastly, Michelle tells us about what is now my new favorite idea for a party - a bridal shower reboot for her 20th wedding anniversary! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE!