Don't Make Resolutions; *Resolve*
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
Welcome to the first day of 2026! In this powerful New Year's episode, Anna challenges the traditional approach to resolutions and invites listeners to shift their focus from multiple goals to one transformative commitment: glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. Rather than setting ourselves up for failure with countless resolutions, Anna encourages us to simply resolve—and when we fall, to resolve again. Through personal stories, biblical examples, and practical wisdom, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to approach the new year with clarity, grace, and eternal purpose. ...
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Glorious
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
In this beautiful Christmas episode, Anna reflects on the glory awaiting us and the profound truth that there are no ordinary people. Drawing from C.S. Lewis's "The Weight of Glory," she reminds us that every person we encounter—especially during the busy holiday season—carries eternal significance. Anna offers a tender reminder to fix our eyes on Jesus, lay down expectations, and love those around us with the charity and grace we've received from Him. Key Points God promises to be with us throughout our entire lifetime, until our hair is white with age There are no ordinary...
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If You're Overwhelmed Today...
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
In this powerful episode, Anna addresses a critical truth that often gets overlooked: there are ditches on both sides of the road. While many of us struggle with saying yes to too much during the Christmas season (and beyond), there's an equally dangerous ditch on the other side—self-indulgence and isolation disguised as self-care. Anna challenges listeners to examine their hearts and discern whether they're being called to pull back and create margin, or whether they're being nudged to show up and serve sacrificially. Through vulnerable reflection, she explores how to navigate the tension...
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Wired for Connection: How to Understand and ENJOY Those We Love with Marita Littauer
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
In this insightful conversation, host Anna McLaughlin sits down with personality expert Marita Littauer to explore the four classical personality types and how understanding them can transform our relationships—especially during the busy holiday season. Marita, who grew up immersed in personality work through her mother Florence Littauer's legacy, shares practical wisdom on identifying personality types through visible clues and adjusting our approach to honor how others are wired. This episode is a masterclass in seeing people as God created them—not as we wish they were. Whether you're...
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Mary's Heart in a Martha Season: How to Pre-Decide Peace This Christmas with Joy Johnson
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
Join host Anna McLaughlin in this heartfelt conversation with Joy Johnson, founder of The Joyful Fit Life and host of The Journey to Becoming Podcast. As we enter the busiest season of the year, this episode is a timely invitation to pause, breathe, and choose being over doing. Joy and Anna explore the hidden costs of over-functioning, the power of emotional health, and how to create a "to-be list" instead of just another to-do list. With vulnerability and wisdom, they share personal stories of loss, healing, and the transformative freedom that comes from laying down the burdens we were...
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Let It Be: Gratitude and Grace
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
In this heartfelt Thanksgiving episode, Anna invites listeners to embrace the imperfect beauty of holiday gatherings with family and friends. Drawing from her personal experiences and her father's love of the Beatles, she explores the profound simplicity of the phrase "let it be" as a spiritual practice. Anna shares vulnerable stories about family dynamics, culinary disasters, and the precious nature of fleeting moments, encouraging listeners to hold their imperfect celebrations close and find Christ's presence in the midst of it all. Whether you're navigating difficult family relationships,...
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"The Imperative Necessity of Obedience"
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Anna tackles an uncomfortable but transformative topic: the imperative necessity of obedience in our walk with Christ. Drawing from Andrew Murray's profound work "The True Vine" (Chapter 27, p. 128—from which this episode's title is directly quoted) and the biblical account of David and the Ark of the Covenant, Anna challenges listeners to examine whether they're truly living as friends of Christ or merely skating by on cheap grace. This raw, honest conversation addresses the temptation to elevate our privileges as children of God above our...
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Little Wins, Eternal Impact: Dan Nichols on Discipling Our Children
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
In this powerful conversation, Anna McLaughlin sits down with Dan Nichols to discuss intentional discipleship in the home. Dan Nichols is a follower of Jesus, married to his best friend Joy, and father to Landon and Declan. He serves as Lead Pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship in Cortland, NY, and is the Founder/President of Northeast Collaborative, a regional church network. Dan holds a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree from Clarks Summit University where he served as an adjunct professor. Dan shares his heart behind creating the "Making Scripture Simple" book series, designed to help upper...
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Betrayal: It's Not Your Fault
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
In this powerful episode, Anna McLaughlin tackles one of the most painful human experiences: betrayal. Drawing from Malcolm Gladwell's book "Talking to Strangers" and Psalm 73, Anna explores why we often feel we "should have known" when someone betrays our trust, and why that belief is both psychologically understandable and untrue. She offers deep healing and hope for anyone carrying the weight of betrayal, explaining how our capacity to trust—the very thing that made us vulnerable—is actually one of our greatest strengths. This episode is for anyone who has experienced the heartbreak of...
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Facing Grief Boldly: Finding God through the Storm with JoBeth Polley
Overwhelmed to Overcomer
What do you do when the worst thing you can imagine actually happens? When prayers go unanswered and the pain feels unbearable? In this raw and powerful conversation, Anna sits down with JoBeth Polley, who was widowed at 32 and left to navigate grief while raising two adopted children and running a 120-acre cattle farm and construction company. JoBeth doesn't sugarcoat the journey—grief is dark, physically debilitating, and requires serious work. But she also brings hope: joy is attainable, healing is possible, and the only way out is through. This episode is for anyone navigating fresh...
info_outlineIn this beautiful Christmas episode, Anna reflects on the glory awaiting us and the profound truth that there are no ordinary people. Drawing from C.S. Lewis's "The Weight of Glory," she reminds us that every person we encounter—especially during the busy holiday season—carries eternal significance. Anna offers a tender reminder to fix our eyes on Jesus, lay down expectations, and love those around us with the charity and grace we've received from Him.
Key Points
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God promises to be with us throughout our entire lifetime, until our hair is white with age
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There are no ordinary people—we interact with immortals destined for eternal glory
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The weight of our neighbor's glory should humble us and shape how we treat others
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Our job is to love, not to convert, convince, or cajole
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The most powerful witness comes from beholding Christ ourselves, not from managing others
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Christmas gatherings can be filled with expectations, scripts, and familiar roles that need releasing
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Sometimes a loving "no" is more Christ-like than an obligatory "yes"
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When we fix our eyes on Jesus, everything else grows strangely dim
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Give yourself permission to be human, limited, and dust—and extend that same grace to others
Scriptures Mentioned
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Isaiah 46:4 (New Living Translation): "I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you."
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Isaiah 46:4 (ESV): "Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made and I will bear; I will carry and will save."
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Reference to treasures in jars of clay (likely 2 Corinthians 4:7)
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Reference to "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" hymn
Books & Resources Mentioned
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"The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis - Anna reads an extended passage about treating every person as a potential "god or goddess" due to their eternal nature
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Previous episode referenced: "Laying Down Perfect"
Merry Christmas, friend. May you remember that in the presence of those you love, you are surrounded by no mere mortals - but by eternal souls being shaped by the same God who promises to carry you all the way home.
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MUSIC CREDITS
Theme music: Brave New World
ASLC-1BEF9A9E-9E9D609662
Artist: Fantoms
Inspiring Hopeful
Audio source: Jamendo
Artist: Aliaksei Yukhnevich
ASLC-2B505EF3-E9CD4817A6