Constantly Under Construction with Donna Harris
Constantly Under Construction with Donna Harris features stories of personal transformation from people who have triumphed through tough times to bring you hope and encouragement on your journey.
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CUC 078 Being Led By the Spirit with Kathryn Maack
02/09/2023
CUC 078 Being Led By the Spirit with Kathryn Maack
Kathryn Maack talks about the work of the Holy Spirit in her life. She has seen the spirit lead her and equip her in every circumstance. And you won’t want to miss the last half of our conversation where she shares how a homeless boy’s life was changed dramatically because of her willingness to hear and obey the Holy Spirit’s leading. She co-wrote the book Whole as a way to acknowledge all of our being - our entire selves - before God….with our head and our heart, in truth and in spirit, in being and in doing, and in the identification of being both sinner and saint so that we may bear His glory in the world every single day. It’s so easy to compartmentalize our faith. But doing this leaves us dry and dead in our faith. Kathryn and I chat about how communicating with the Holy Spirit is integral in fully relating to the Lord. https://www.constantlyunderconstruction.com/
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Restoration House featuring Kennesha Buycks
06/21/2019
Restoration House featuring Kennesha Buycks
If you feel like you are wrestling with comparison, the pain of brokenness in your life, or needing inspiration for how to cultivate a kingdom minded home, you’ll find encouragement in this episode. Kennesha Buycks lays out all the pain points that have pointed her back to restoration in Jesus. This also birthed the social space and newly released book, Restoration House. Kennesha desires to pull your heart and your home toward God’s peace and toward a welcoming of the Holy Spirit. We get vulnerable pretty fast in this episode and cover topics like numbing pain with alcohol, the need of a father, the Enneagram, and God given desires that don’t look like they will ever come to fruition. Kennesha's book, Restoration House will get much praise from me this episode but don’t mistake this for an endorsement for frivolity or a focus on making our earthly spaces our idols. I’m a champion of the book Restoration House. Not a fan. The difference is, the zeal I have for this book comes from it’s goal: it’s drawn me closer to Jesus. If this is your first time listening, I absolutely believe you’ll enjoy my time with Kennesha today. And I encourage you to subscribe to the podcast. If you’ve been with me from the beginning, I just want to say thanks for sticking it out with me for 77 episodes! When you support the show by sharing it and rating it on your podcast app, it furthers my reach. Because of you, the podcast brings encouragement and freedom to those who listen. Where are you inspired to change your heart so that you can change your living space? The Book, Restoration House has lots of ways to get you started. Grab a copy of the book and follow Kennesha on Instagram. Also, I want to hear from you!! What about today’s episode touched your heart? Send me a Direct Message on Instagram and let me know how this conversation gave you hope, freedom, and something new to think about. You can find me at Constantly Under Construction. I cannot wait to hear from you!
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Sister, Walk in Truth featuring Chrystan Ferrell
06/13/2019
Sister, Walk in Truth featuring Chrystan Ferrell
My friend Chrystan Ferrell walks us through her journey of coming to Christ. Like the real moment, not the outside circle moment where you know who Jesus is and you know about scripture. The REAL life-changing relationship with Jesus was birthed in Chrystan’s life after lots of chasing after fun that ended in destruction. She talks about the struggle as a single parent and I love how she defines the brokenness of sin yet the blessing that God continues to place in her life. Chrystan poured her heart into the book Sister, Walk in Truth because she believes there’s a tangible hope you can have in Jesus. If you’re seeking for hope that doesn’t fade, consider to dive deeper into the truths that Gods word has in store for you. Friend, if this is your first time listening, I absolutely believe you’ll enjoy my time with Chrystan today. And I encourage you to . Plus, I want to thank to my long-time listening friends for sticking it out with me for 76 episodes! When you support the show by sharing it and rating it on Apple Podcasts, it furthers my reach. Thank you for supporting my efforts to bring encouragement and freedom to those who listen.
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How the FOG was Lifted with Lindsey Hale
06/07/2019
How the FOG was Lifted with Lindsey Hale
Episode 75: If you struggle to understand where you are in life and why, Lindsey’s story can point you to God’s sovereign plan and his perfect timing that’s bigger than all of us. My guest and new true friend Lindsey Hale talks about a time in her life where what looked like a blessing to most of the world, was a surprising point of grief and surrender of self. After 13 years of raising her kids, Lindsey unexpectedly found herself pregnant again creating a gap of 9 years between her last baby and this new one.We talk candidly about what it looks like when life becomes unexpected and God clearly says, “Here’s a new blessing in your life that you did not ask for.” It truly was a joy to chat with Lindsey and you’ll love hearing the irony of how a crappy experience in a therapy session actually led her to walking in true purpose that lifted the FOG in her life. Also, if you love the Enneagram like I do, all of you Enneagram 8’s will likely relate to Lindsey’s feelings of boldness were misinterpreted as rebellion as a child. Friend, you absolutely want to get connected with Lindsey Hale.
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Hello Courageous - Finding Courage from the brokenness Sexual Abuse and Dysfunctional Thinking featuring Melissa Scott
05/31/2019
Hello Courageous - Finding Courage from the brokenness Sexual Abuse and Dysfunctional Thinking featuring Melissa Scott
Your gonna tap into your own personal reason to be courageous today. Melissa Scott has had a tumultuous life. From horrific sexual abuse as a child to a cycle of repeated abuse in relationships, Melissa hit rock bottom, seeking more for her life. Even though she was able to see healthy relationships and witness to God’s power around her, Melissa felt very much on the outside of the ability to achieve an actual and real relationship with Jesus. You’ll be encouraged to hear how she found healing moments through true forgiveness, therapy, and crying out to Jesus in her car. Please hang on toward the end of our conversation to receive the ultimate lesson you can gain from Melissa when we talk about grace and how Melissa gained supernatural freedom in her life from her hurts and her continued hurt because of the gift of Grace that God has given her and gifted her! And we talk about two of Melissa’s passions, her role as a mom and the love she has for transformation from negative thinking to a confident attitude. If you value your role as a parent and what that means when it comes to supplying your children (and yourself!) with the ability to have a healthy, positive mindset, you’ll want to hear Melissa’s discovery of powerful, Biblically-based, scientifically proven mindset shift. I’m excited to share this conversation to you and I hope if this is your first time listening, welcome! I know you’ll gain some hope and freedom from my time with Melissa today. And I encourage you to subscribe to the podcast. AND Thank you so much to my long-time friends for sticking it out with me for 74 episodes! Don’t forget to tap on the stars in iTunes or Apple Podcasts to review the show. It’s a tremendous way to keep the show active and available. Thank you so much for your support. You can follow Melissa Scott, and listen to her podcast, Hello Courageous and find more info about Melissa’s digital course, Your True Courage Method by going to . I want to hear from you about today’s episode! How has it encouraged you? If we are friends on Instagram, shoot me a direct message and let me know how this conversation gave you hope, freedom, and something new to think about. You can find me on . I cannot wait to hear from you!
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Overcoming a Critical Spirit featuring Shannon Kay McCoy
05/24/2019
Overcoming a Critical Spirit featuring Shannon Kay McCoy
In Episode 73, we talk candidly about 4 ways a critical spirit can take root in your everyday life. In fact, I share a few of my own struggles in my marriage and in my actions where I wrestle with a spirit of criticism. Shannon Kay McCoy is a biblical counselor and new friend and helps us walk through this spirit of criticism that we can easily fall into or rationalize. This important conversation also evolved into trying to define terms like self-love & self-care. We were both seeking to pin down where self-love could be Bibilcal and where is it outright sin. I was so glad for the healthy tension created in our conversation and how it sparked lots of questions to bring to the Lord. Did you have a healthy dose of conviction when Shannon mentioned the four ways we can act with a critical spirit? I hope, like me, you’ll be comforted by the scriptures mentioned and you’ll see the freedom God wants for you from actions that are in opposition to His holiness. Do you feel the tug of the Lord gently reminding you that you don’t need to control everything? Do you overshoot self-care into unholy self-love? It’s truly a Constantly Under Construction process that requires leaning on the Lord continually. Connect with Shannon:
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Hello Courageous featuring Melissa Scott
05/23/2019
Hello Courageous featuring Melissa Scott
Your gonna tap into your own personal reason to be courageous today. Melissa Scott has had a tumultuous life. From horrific sexual abuse as a child to a cycle of repeated abuse in relationships, Melissa hit rock bottom, seeking more for her life. Even though she was able to see healthy relationships and witness to God’s power around her, Melissa felt very much on the outside of the ability to achieve an actual and real relationship with Jesus. You’ll be encouraged to hear how she found healing moments through true forgiveness, therapy, and crying out to Jesus in her car. Please hang on toward the end of our conversation to receive the ultimate lesson you can gain from Melissa when we talk about grace and how Melissa gained supernatural freedom in her life from her hurts and her continued hurt because of the gift of Grace that God has given her and gifted her! And we talk about two of Melissa’s passions, her role as a mom and the love she has for transformation from negative thinking to a confident attitude. If you value your role as a parent and what that means when it comes to supplying your children (and yourself!) with the ability to have a healthy, positive mindset, you’ll want to hear Melissa’s discovery of powerful, Biblically-based, scientifically proven mindset shift. I’m excited to share this conversation to you and I hope if this is your first time listening, welcome! I know you’ll gain some hope and freedom from my time with Melissa today. And I encourage you to subscribe to the podcast. AND Thank you so much to my long-time friends for sticking it out with me for 74 episodes! Don’t forget to tap on the stars in iTunes or Apple Podcasts to review the show. It’s a tremendous way to keep the show active and available. Thank you so much for your support. You can follow Melissa Scott, and listen to her podcast, Hello Courageous and find more info about Melissa’s digital course, Your True Courage Method by going to . I want to hear from you about today’s episode! How has it encouraged you? If we are friends on Instagram, shoot me a direct message and let me know how this conversation gave you hope, freedom, and something new to think about. You can find me on . I cannot wait to hear from you!
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I Make a Horrible God featuring Jenna Barbosa
05/17/2019
I Make a Horrible God featuring Jenna Barbosa
Episode 72 is all about freedom from our hangups. If it’s food or relationships, Jenna Barbosa has a lot of wisdom to offer on the issue. We talk about Jenna’s personal brokenness and how is continually gaining freedom from hurts from her past, relationships that she tried to use to replace God, and using food as an idol. Feel comforted and encouraged as you listen to Jenna introduce herself as a women that is content and the hope that she can bring to you, no matter your situation. I really loved the thoughts she had on the difference between being a victim and having a victim mentality. Friends, I’m praying that if you’ve recognized your responsibility in moving forward with healing, that you’ll take those next steps toward Jesus. Come as you are. Let Him fill you, guide you, protect you and comfort you on your road to wholeness.
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Dismantling Legalism, Therapy, and False Self with Joey Monteleone
05/09/2019
Dismantling Legalism, Therapy, and False Self with Joey Monteleone
Friends, episode 71 will give you freedom in questioning your faith and choosing self-help as self-care. My guest Joey Monteleone is a podcast pal that has a story of freedom from religion into relationship. I hope you’ll find inspiration in Joey’s story and be encouraged to walk forward in the truth that God cares more about your heart than your appearance. We talk about Joey’s background in the Plymouth Brethren Church and while denomination isn’t the point of his story, it points to the strictness, the legality of religion and how he found freedom in his heart even though he never traveled far from his church, literally and figuratively. I’m excited to share this conversation with you and I hope if you’re driving, on a run, or picking up the house, you’ll stop and subscribe to the podcast. And, if you’ve listened for a bit of time, please support the podcast by rating and reviewing. It’s super easy to tap the stars to show your support. Have you come from a place where you found freedom from what you thought you were supposed to be? Did you have a different idea of who God was and what He wanted from you? I hope that this episode leaves you with some thoughts to ponder on challenging your faith while seeking your creator. .
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Become Free from Emotional Baggage - The Baggage Handler featuring David Rawlings
05/02/2019
Become Free from Emotional Baggage - The Baggage Handler featuring David Rawlings
Episode #70 will help you see that lessons in life are often obtained by self-awareness and grace with your situation. David Rawlings speaks with me today about baggage. He wrote a modern day parable called The Baggage Handler, a story that captivates you because we all know the pain of having a mis-hap with baggage at the airport. The story is built around three different travelers, on individual journeys, who realize they have picked up the wrong suitcase at the airport. They meet an interesting character, The Baggage Handler, who shows them there is more in their baggage than what they have packed. And they have to deal with it before they can leave. David and I talk about his love for story-telling and how it’s through story we can identify struggle. I appreciate David’s heart and he shares his lesson he learned in empathy when he and his wife walked the road of infertility. We also discuss the value of being present with our circumstances, like putting the phone down for a bit and taking a moment to enjoy our actual, messy and mundane lives. I’m thrilled to present this conversation to you and I hope if this is your first time listening that you’ll subscribe to the podcast. And my long time friends, please tap on the stars in iTunes or Apple Podcasts to review the show. It’s a tremendous way to keep the show active and available. Thank you so much for your support.
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#069 A quick word of encouragement and a podcast recommendation
04/12/2019
#069 A quick word of encouragement and a podcast recommendation
Listen to The Dismantle Podcast
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Our Soul Desires Beauty, find it in Placemaking featuring Christie Purifoy
04/05/2019
Our Soul Desires Beauty, find it in Placemaking featuring Christie Purifoy
Episode 68 is going to open your eyes to the beauty that is already in front of you. You’ll learn a new term, Placmaking, as a way to embrace beauty, even in the middle of mess. Christie Purifoy, the author of Placemaker, invites you to use the places and spaces of your life as a way of connection with God. You’ll be surprised to learn that Placemaking might call you to buy all new pillows for your living room or build a flower garden that you insisted was frivolous….but it certainly never requires it. Peacemaking is a method that will bring you closer to discovering yourself and loving others by enjoying the beauty of life that God provides. My time with Christie was filled thoughts on cultivating our spaces so that they can teach us…and we can love others in that process. Friends, I invite you to grab a copy of Placemaker for yourself or as a gift for someone who enjoys the lyrical pacing of being swept away on a journey of loving and learning about the beauty around them. Christie’s Website http://www.christiepurifoy.com Buy the Book, Placemaker https://www.amazon.com/Placemaker-Cultivating-Places-Comfort-Beauty/dp/031035224X Christie’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/christiepurifoy/ MapleHurst Gardens: https://www.instagram.com/maplehurstgardens/
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Getting Real about Sex, God, and Infertility featuring Melanie Dale
03/29/2019
Getting Real about Sex, God, and Infertility featuring Melanie Dale
Episode 67 will remind you why laughing through hard times is beneficial. My guest Melanie Dale is an author and podcaster that takes the hard things seriously but with a spin of approachable, quirky humor that makes her so relatable. She wrote a book called Infreakinfertiltiiy: It’s a survival guide for those attempting pregnancy with a ton of Melanie’s real-life experiences from her own infertility journey. Melanie and I had fun talking about a variety of things that will amuse you and make you think : From sex in your 40s to Nerdy TV shows and Books, and finally Melanie’s one weird trick she does to connect with Jesus. I hope you’ll enjoy our conversation. Fun Stuff to Share -
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At the End of Fear is Comfort featuring Kaitlin Wernet
03/21/2019
At the End of Fear is Comfort featuring Kaitlin Wernet
Episode 66 will leave you feeling like you’ve just wrapped yourself in your favorite cozy blanket and settled down for some peaceful ‘me’ time. Kaitlin Wernet is a professional writer and editor which is why I love hearing her geek-out about the oxford comma! We share an intrigue toward Taylor Swift’s many transformations and we both love Gilmore Girls. My favorite thing about Kaitlin is her desire to abide in honest thoughts, even when they are hard. She and I share a specific loss: We’ve both lost our brothers. While we are similar in losses, we agree that the grief is unique and our relationship to God is special and intimate. This special place that God has shown up in Kaitlin’s life created words of Comfort through her new book, The book of comforts. You’ll enjoy Kaitlin’s sweet voice as she walks us through the depths of God’s goodness and promises, even when things are difficult. It is a joy to hear from Kaitlin. My takeaway was how she was basically saved during her lowest moments by being at a job that forced her to read God’s word everyday. It really reminds me that the Bible is our lifeline. Go to the show notes to connect with Kaitlin and purchase The Book of Comforts. Give it as a gift to a friend or an opportunity to practice a bit of self-love when you’re in need of His comfort.
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#65 Holding space for Grief and Joy with Justine Froelker
03/14/2019
#65 Holding space for Grief and Joy with Justine Froelker
Justine Froelker is a powerhouse that stares down grief in the face, says thank you, while simultaneously hanging onto hope. She suffered through the heart-wrenching fate of infertility and her encouraging story isn’t one that looks like most. She wants to empower you to reject shame and encourage you to thrive EVEN when life doesn't turn out how you hope, dream, or plan. Friends, I just love Justine’s rawness and authenticity. Go to the show notes at constantly under construction dot com to find While you’re still listening, can I ask a quick favor? If you listen on your phone in Apple Podcasts, I would love it if you’d scroll down to the reviews section of the podcast and click on the stars to rate it. This is a tremendous help in getting the word out about the podcast and it costs absolutely nothing!
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#64 A Transformed Life of Hope and Freedom with Angelia White
03/07/2019
#64 A Transformed Life of Hope and Freedom with Angelia White
Before she curated successful magazines for women, Angie was a woman in desperate need of freedom. Caught in the crossfire of two dysfunctional relationships, Angie didn’t know her self-worth and was repeatedly told how to think, feel, or behave. Her church did not encourage healthy behavior and relationships and her marriage was a prison of being controlled and emotionally abused. Her deliverance from an abusive mindset began when Angie launched her magazine. Angelia walks us through the miraculous journey of launching her magazine from literally nothing. God was near each and every moment as opportunities to start the magazine unfolded quickly and successfully. Her small steps of faith boosted her self-confidence and showed her that He had great things in store for her life. We’ll also dive into culture and race (in and outside of the church) and how these issues were tied to Angelia’s abuse. Where she was once taught to be strong through the pain and handle difficult times silently, Angelia broke free from isolation by finding freedom in meeting women who were free. These women of the Lord spoke truth into her life and gave her the confidence to walk away from a flawed mindset and controlling people. Get encouraged when you hear how God proved bigger than any opposition. No individual that desired their own power or control over Angelia could match up to the All encompassing power of our Creator.
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Healing from Brokenness with Courage with Rachel Linden
03/01/2019
Healing from Brokenness with Courage with Rachel Linden
Episode 63 is full of hope from brokenness but also encouragement on ministry and mission no matter where you live in the world! Friends, I’m super excited for you to meet my guest Rachel Linden - she’s an author with a world of experiences. One includes working in Budapest with women who are victims of sex trafficking. As an author, Rachel’s fictional stories are purposeful and thoughtful. She weaves together wonderfully captivating stories of hope and courage that are based off of her own experiences; her miscarriage, her travels around the world and human trafficking. We discuss the conviction that every hurting person is valid and deserves the dignity of healing… no matter what social status or living situation. Rachel recounts her own trauma when she was molested by a childhood friend. She has great advice for anyone who is stuck in the middle of healing from a horrific experience. It’s what makes her so great at ministering to women and children that are victims of sex trafficking. We talk about Rachel’s learning and unlearning about doctrine and theology. Her revelation in learning that ministry and secular living can go hand in hand: How it can be a simple but compelling way to live out the gospel freely. It was her miscarriage that kickstarted her unlearning of fear in her relationship with God. Find freedom in understanding that God isn’t looking for a purely transactional relationship that is based only on fear but also out of willing dependence. As heavy as our time may seem, it was full of much hope and peace that Rachel has experienced throughout the journey. I am certain you’ll walk away from our time together feeling this same peace, hope and freedom. From the ability to love people near and far, to healing from brokenness, and seeing freedom in our practices of our faith and our relationship with God. Rachel’s character’s in her book aren’t the only ones that exhibit courage, hope, and connection. Thank you so much for listening. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. And let me know what you think of today’s episode by connecting with me on !
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Makeup and Self-Care - Mastering the Mindset of a Powerful Routine with Jaime McLaughlin
02/21/2019
Makeup and Self-Care - Mastering the Mindset of a Powerful Routine with Jaime McLaughlin
Episode 62 with Jamie McLaughlin is one that will empower you! Jaime McLaughlin is a seasoned and skilled makeup artist that took her career into a whole new arena by teaching moms about the application of make up and the importance of self-care. For a makeup junkie like me, the attraction to this subject was intense: How can we satisfy the idea that makeup isn’t frivolous? I’ve wrestled with this for many years. You’ll enjoy hearing from Jaime and her take on self-care and how we address this question. Makeup or not, she’s ready to equip you with what you need to show up and take on the day. When it comes to self care, it’s more than just makeup but a mindset of honoring what God has given you to steward, from your body, your face, your mind, to your kids, your work, and your belongings. You’re gonna love Jaime’s focus on real, natural beauty that you can’t replicate from a trendy unreachable youtube tutorial. And as Jaime shares some of her own personal struggles, you’ll see that nothing is more beautiful than a heart for the Lord. I hope you are just as fascinated with Jaime’s take on jumpstarting your day with an element of self-care. I’ve got a special offer for you, friends! For listening to the podcast today, Jaime is offering a SPECIAL PRICE for her Complete Guide to Beauty. You’ll get for nearly 25% off when you go the themachouseblog.com and enter CUC at checkout. This Complete Guide to beauty gives you all the recommended products, all the recommended tools, all the application techniques plus an online community filled with beauty tips and bonuses. Enter CUC at checkout when you go the themachouseblog.com to order the The Complete Guide to Beauty. Thank you so much for listening. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. And let me know what you think of today’s episode by connecting with me on !
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Becoming a Mom later in life - A Brave Face with Barbara Marlowe
02/15/2019
Becoming a Mom later in life - A Brave Face with Barbara Marlowe
On today’s episode, you’ll be intrigued to hear how a woman in her 50’s became a first-time mother to a 4-year-old Iraqi burn victim. Barbara Marlowe was a woman who had given up the hope of ever becoming a mother until one day a deep and instant connection happened with a girl across the globe. Teeba Furat Fadhil whose face hands and head were severely burned during a roadside bombing, had her photo featured in a US newspaper. When Barbara saw the soulful eyes of Teeba’s, her life was forever changed. Learn of all the times that Barbara experienced supernatural events that she can only describe as “God moments” since Teeba has joined her family. Friends, have you had times in your life that you just cannot deny are God moments? It’s so important to cherish those as reminders that our God is living and active in our lives TODAY. I also loved Barbara’s thoughts on God’s perfect timing in her life. I encourage you to find thankfulness in your current situation. Just like Barbara, you never know what God could be preparing you for…it could be to fulfill the desires of your heart in a way you never imagined. Continue to hope, continue to trust and remain steadfast. He is with you. You’ll want grab a copy of Barbara and Teeba’s book, a brave face. Written with material from Teeba, her Iraqi mom Dunya and Barbara, you’ll enjoy this inspirational story. It’s filled with all the details of how they connected, it travels through the refining moments of marrying two cultures and two families together and it’s a story of hope and sacrificial love. Thank you so much for listening. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. And let me know what you think of today’s episode by connecting with me on ! *Constantly Under Construction has affiliate recommendations in the show notes and blog and on the podcast.
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A car bombing becomes a catalyst for restoration - A Brave Face with Teeba Furat Marlowe Ep 60
02/08/2019
A car bombing becomes a catalyst for restoration - A Brave Face with Teeba Furat Marlowe Ep 60
When she wasn’t even 2 years old, Teeba was a victim of a roadside car bombing that took place in the Diyala Province of Iraq. Teeba recounts the events of the bombing that disfigured her face, head, hands and legs and took her brother’s life. This incredible story begins in Iraq but travels to the United States when a woman, Barbara Marlowe, was captivated by Teeba’s story and photograph in the newspaper. Wanting to supply a wig for Teeba, events quickly escalated and soon Barbara welcomed Teeba into her family. In my time with Teeba, you’ll learn of her perseverance through the hard times in Iraq, her family’s insistence to do whatever it took to help Teeba gain a functional life, and the love between two families of two different cultures that surpasses ignorance and prejudice. Teeba’s story is inspiring as it is educational. I can’t wait for you to hear from this insanely intelligent and mature 16 year old about the incredible lessons that life has given to her. Thank you so much for listening. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. And let me know what you think of today’s episode by connecting with me on !
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Become a more intentional Memory Maker feat Jessica Smartt Ep 59
01/31/2019
Become a more intentional Memory Maker feat Jessica Smartt Ep 59
If you struggled with anxiety that you didn’t have enough Pinterest worthy crafts or Instagram worthy photos to be considered a mom who makes good memories, I encourage you to stop the pinning and slapping on the photo filters and listen to my interview with Jessica Smartt. Jessica is more than a homeschooling mom and blogger. She’s a woman who wanted to find the purpose and practicality in making memories with her family. Here’s a few things we chat about before discussing her book: Enneagram vs. Meyer’s Briggs Crazy things we do in college Jessica’s personal growth after a broken engagement Jessica is the author of a new book, Memory Making Mom, where she helps us change our perspective of what it looks like to create family memories. Jessica shares that it was a traumatic event in their family’s life as well as her feelings of missing out on making family traditions led her to be more intentional in creating traditions around her family values. Be challenged to new routines and discover that memory making can happen at any time or any season: from the day to day and even times of busyness, rest, or grief. . where she writes on topics including motherhood, anxiety, homeschooling and more.
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Brave Love in Life's Hardest Moments with Lisa Leonard Ep 58
01/24/2019
Brave Love in Life's Hardest Moments with Lisa Leonard Ep 58
Friends, you’re going to love getting to know my guest, Lisa Leonard. If you’ve struggled in your relationship or if you feel like you are emptied of all your ability to continue to keep people happy, this is the episode for you. Lisa is an amazing woman who’s story will give you new insight on self-care. I got the chance to read her upcoming book, Brave Love, where she shares that even from childhood, she was willing to step back and let others be happy at the expense of knowing herself. Lisa shared her struggle of constantly caring for others in an unhealthy, unbalanced way - this people-pleasing method was surprisingly a tactic of control her environment to keep things stable in her life but ultimately Lisa found that she was neglecting loving herself (and others) in a healthy way. In our time together, we dive deeper into how it was nearly divorce from her husband that brought Lisa closer to God and back to a truly honest space in her marriage where she could love and be loved. Here's some Lessons Learned and Unlearned in this episode: Are you missing space and quiet in your life right now? Lisa shared that space was what really allowed her to heal. When she was emptied of her strength, she needed quiet and rest to avoid the knee-jerk reactions of her old habits of soothing away discomfort. It’s busyness and noise that fills the quiet space and discourages us to be mindful when it comes to reconnecting to God. If you’re missing out on illuminating moments that bring you closer to how you really feel, I encourage you to seek space in you life. Lisa was fighting a two part battle. She fought for herself and for her marriage. She stressed that it wasn’t quick and it wasn’t easy. The Undoing of the way we used to think is so incredibly hard. Especially when you aren’t used to giving yourself the permission to heal. And especially when you are doing it alongside of your spouse. But this retraining of thinking and doing is necessary for lasting change and it’s worth it for a flourishing life. Pray for God to give you clarity in these moments. Ask for God to give you space. And when you are provided with that time and quiet, soak it in, don’t fill it up with distractions. Use it for what it’s for: self-discovery, leaning into the painful parts, and clinging to God for his strength and guidance. I’m totally in love with Lisa’s heart and her ability to become more whole from brokenness. Her family’s story of vulnerability and faith are such an encouragement. Links: Friends, I’m in my third year of the podcast and would love your help! My show thrives off of subscribers. If you haven’t yet subscribed, please do! It’s a tremendous way to support the podcast.
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Pop Culture and Identity : The Wondering Years with Knox McCoy Ep 57
12/12/2018
Pop Culture and Identity : The Wondering Years with Knox McCoy Ep 57
If you consider yourself a fan of pop culture, you'll love my time with Knox McCoy. Knox takes his musings of pop culture and shares how it shaped his view of God and his identity in his book, The Wondering Years. Show Highlights: Get a glimpse into Knox's experiences as we chat about being uncertain with His relationship with God brought him the most certainty in his Faith. I'll pepper you with the word "cliche" and put Knox in the position of reassuring me that loving the enneagram and being basic is not automatically annoying. We chat about pop culture as a learning tool for faith and theology. And I reveal my buffet of broad experiences in the church that has led to my questioning of truth in identity. After listening, I challenge you to re-watch a favorite movie or show and imagine how Jesus may use that very story to respond to a question of faith... just like he did with parables in the Bible. Check out Knox's book, . Follow Knox on ____ Thanks for listening! Please be sure to subscribe or And I'd love to know what you thought about this episode by chatting with me on ! I am an avid consumer of pop culture so I was thrilled to be speaking with Knox. He (and his co-host Jamie Golden) host TWO podcasts that use entertainment as the central theme of their shows. Here’s a breakdown of their two podcasts: The first podcast is called, The PopCast, and it’s LOL pop culture... meaning you’re gonna fall hard for this dynamic duo and they way they educate you on entertainment because they are so funny! Their other podcast, The Bible Binge, brings the delightful charm of the Popcast but adds on a biblical twist. It’s a retelling of our favorite and obscure bible stories as a TV show recap. This totally makes Knox the premier person to be speaking about all things entertainment and how that informs our identity in Christ.
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Change from the Inside Out with Annessa Chumbley Ep 56
12/05/2018
Change from the Inside Out with Annessa Chumbley Ep 56
Annessa strives for joy and she chooses to bring it to the table in the good times and hard. Everything about Annessa represents the positivity it takes to have meaningful success in work and in life. As a homeschooling mom that also works outside of the home as a dietitian, recipe-creator, spokes-person AND a talk show host, Annessa is somewhat of a superwoman. But don't be fooled by the idea that perfection is what describes her life. She talks about the moment in her life where this became a revelation, one of Annessa's hardest times, when her marriage crumbled away. Her vulnerability in relaying her hardship makes you feel connected to her even more. And ladies, let's wipe away the shame of divorce, Amen? I'm confident Annessa’s story of overcoming is one you'll want to hear and even share with a friend... because we all have experience with broken relationships. Look forward to these gems from our conversation: Get inspired by Annaessa transformation of herself through the transformation of others Learn an old school trick to the power of positive thinking. Walk away with an attitude of gratitude when it comes to food. Guys, when you’re finished listening, you’ll quickly agree that Annessa is the best! Go to the show notes to continue to follow Annessa on Facebook live and to sign up for the kids-snack challenge! Thank you so much for listening! Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or your favorite podcast app. And let me know what you think of today’s episode. I would love to connect with you !
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From Here to There with Thane Marcus Ringler - Ep 55
11/28/2018
From Here to There with Thane Marcus Ringler - Ep 55
A former professional Golfer, Thane learned about success at a young age. He has now written a book regarding these achievements and has wisdom from his experiences that he loves to share to empower people toward a life well-lived Thane shares how he was transformed through the work of Jesus during his time in college. It was through a series of setbacks after a result of poor choices that changed his character and rooted his identity in his faith in God. Thane highlighted the Heroes of faith in the Bible as inspiration and how we can learn much about a life well-lived from David a man of God who had his share of trials and triumphs. I enjoyed getting to know Thane! We connect over midwestern traditions, like a bowl of Chili with a Cinnamon roll on the side and even though his hometown of Hutchinson, Kansas is not nearly as close to STL as I thought, I still consider him my midwestern neighbor in spirit and my brother in Christ. Thane’s book, titled From Here to There is his perspective on achieving the most potential out of life with a kingdom-minded outlook. and if you do it before DEC 1st you’ll get a super sweet deal of 30% off when you use the code GRATEFUL at checkout. Thanks for listening today! Please keep sharing the podcast with your friends! You never know what sort of encouragement a Constantly Under Construction story will bring to someone right when they need it the most.
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Beauty in the Breakdown with Julie Roberts Ep 54
11/20/2018
Beauty in the Breakdown with Julie Roberts Ep 54
At the height of her singing career, life was turned upside down for Julie Roberts when she had an attack on her body as she was performing on stage. Blind and partially paralyzed on stage, Julie pressed on singing, and chose to tuck those scary symptoms away until she could return home from her tour. After a trip to the doctor, Julie was diagnosed with MS. Julie wanted nothing to do with the diagnosis. She decided to ignore it personally and hide it professionally. Because of her tumultuous past, she felt like she was good at hiding the real truth in life. In self-denial, Julie cut off her opportunity to learn more about the disease and the treatments available. The bad times got worse as she lost her record deal the same week that the Nashville flood wiped away all of her possessions. At this point, the stress of the situation took a physical toll on Julie’s body and she could no longer ignore the fact that MS was a real part of her life. Listen to Julie’s story as she hit rock bottom but found what was most important in life through her trials. Believing she was saved from the Nashville flood for a reason, Julie took her first steps toward treating MS and caring for her body and her soul. She now helps advocate for people diagnosed with MS and other diseases that initially steal your hope. Finding love, trusting Jesus, and walking in her passion despite the misconceptions of her health, Julie is an inspiration not only to those who struggle with MS, but to anyone who is in the middle of a hard road. And we had such a great time laughing! Listen to the end of this episode to find out how pig-sitting gets you THE MOST GORGEOUS lashes and the best advice I’ve ever heard about facing a near-death experience on an airplane!
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When Setbacks Make Way for Success with Amy Parker Ep 53
11/14/2018
When Setbacks Make Way for Success with Amy Parker Ep 53
Amy Parker's story is one of success in work because of faith in God. It's a simple story of a woman who had acquired her "dream job” with a fantastic company and was soon devastated to hear the news that she was to be fired. Over the course of time, Amy says she can look back now and see it was very clear that God was paving the way for her to exercise the skills of a children's author, an actual dream job that she didn't know was possible in her life. Speaking of exercising skills, have you all heard of ? It is a book that Amy has dubbed the "12 step program for artists or creatives". She wholeheartedly recommends it! The concepts we talk about that really help you clear your mind and move forward in the creative process. One of them, Morning Pages, where you write anything that is on your mind, (stream of consciousness)- gets the mundane tasks out of the way to tap into the creative voice. Internal editor/internal voice it's something that we may not even be aware of. But I love how Amy clued us into seeing when our internal editor seems to be the loudest. It’s when our confidence is shaken, that we start to let the internal negative voice take over. It can discourage and persuade us from moving forward, particularly after a setback. I love how Amy points to our true Inner Voice (God) and how He's the one that will ultimately guide us into the places and spaces that we are meant to be. Amy's job loss took her to a place where she was forced to step out and pursue something little bit out of her comfort zone: Writing Children's Books. In that stepping out, Amy found a new job. She can say God fully cared for her in this job in ways she never anticipated. This job came with perks that her old job never had; namely the flexibility to be near her children when they needed her. Hindsight showed her that this was such a blessing. And I particularly loved how her story has highlighted that women can have professional jobs and simultaneously play a large role in raising their children. The balance that Amy juggled was definitely real. This was almost 2 decades ago when women working from home with kids in their lap was certainly not the norm. I love Amy's insight with her experience as a dedicated mom who was also fully invested in her career. Pro tip from Amy: moms need to put on clothes and make-up and get out of the house and connect with other adults. This is essential to stay whole and not lose yourself in just one facet of your work. It allows you to reconnect with other parts of yourself and not just stay on autopilot with a mom-brain. You don't want to miss the end of our time together when Amy openly shares about her relationship with God and how He has crafted Amy's story from the very beginning. Amy tells us how her experiences gave her faith that God would provide. She had assurance that He would take care of her, even when her husband was fired from His job. And yes, God even provided then! God is not kidding when He says he will give us more than we could ever ask or think. Amy found that her worst career moment of being fired from her great job ended up being for the best moment because God provided a perfect job: Living the dream as a full time writer. (Amy will quickly dispel the glamour of her writing gig, but never diminishes the fact that it's a job she loves because she fully feels like it's what she was created to do. I love the charge Amy gives when it comes to the idea of success. She encourages us to back up and to focus on the purpose God created for us instead of the plan we think we need to "get there". Let God formulate the plan as you work solely on executing the purpose. Whether it be helping, creating, educating, encouraging, protecting, caring, or saving...your purpose can be found in a role or a job, it can be to a large group or a single individual, but it usually doesn't look like we think. The world says success is achieving certain milestones or a large reach of people, but God is pleased when our purpose is acted out in faith. This doesn't always match the definition of the world's success. It may not mean getting publicity or having a large influence. But instead, the small quiet moments of acting in His purpose feel right, meaningful and satisfying. Walk free in knowing that when you're doing what you're created for, you're on the path to glorifying Him and that's the most fulfilling place to be. Amy's purpose is to encourage families to read delightful books. She writes wonderfully crafted stories that are fueled from her faith in God. . Follow Amy so you can be anticipate her upcoming books, The Night Night Bible Book and The Night Night Devotional. Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyparkerbooks/ Amy's Website: http://amyparkerbooks.com/ Amy's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyParkerAuthor/
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Depression and Medication - Understanding Antidepressants with Dr Wallace Mendelson Ep 52
11/08/2018
Depression and Medication - Understanding Antidepressants with Dr Wallace Mendelson Ep 52
Dr. Wallace Mendelson spoke with me about mental health, specifically, depression and medication. He wrote the book Understanding Antidepressants. Mental health awareness is something I'm very passionate about and my heart is softest toward those suffering with depression. Millions of people that suffer from depression every year and it's often undiagnosed. Depression can be triggered from a stressful or trumatic experience but it's cause can be medical or genetic as well. Awareness of how to handle depression and some of the hidden symptoms of depression are subjects we talked about with Dr. Mendelson. It's my hope that we gain better understanding of our options for treating depression including medications that are available. The book Understanding Antidepressants tackles a big subject because there are many, many antidepressants on the market today, and their prescription and use have skyrocketed over the years. Wallace Mendelson simplifies the subject of medication. He walks us through the various treatment methods and the reasons why some medications won’t work over others. I geeked out a bit on the science behind some of the causes of depression. Especially when it comes to inflammation. Inflammation can make your entire body go wacky, it can cause hair loss, asthma, skin problems, and even depression. I really leaned in when Dr Wallace responded to my questions about inflammation and depression. This episode might feel a little bit different than my previous episodes. But the balance balance between the spiritual on the physical is a component of being Constantly Under Construction. Let's not forget to take care of our bodies while we're also taking care of our spirit. And vice versa. If you're struggling with mental illness or don't feel like your mental health is up to par, reach out to God. Then reach out to your friends, to your doctors, your neighbors, your counselors, your therapist for assistance. God created amazing people with amazing talents and abilities so its with connection to Him and community to others that we can overcome depression. Let's give credit to our Creator who gave us the brains to figure out the scientific way our bodies create stress and the medicinal and emotional ways to combat that stress. We don’t have to walk this road alone and there are many ways we can combat depression, including medication. Support the show and buy his book here: https://amzn.to/2Dtnael
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The Better Mom with Ruth Schwenk - Ep 51
11/01/2018
The Better Mom with Ruth Schwenk - Ep 51
Ruth Schwenk and I talk about all things motherhood. She is so fiercely connected with moms of all seasons of life that throughout her ministry, The Better Mom, Ruth shows us Christ's desire for our role in motherhood. The Better Mom Devotional will assure you: No matter what you're going through, you will find purpose, will have focus, and are complete in Him. Parenting is a lifelong journey and yet the pinnacle of parenting files by so quickly. We talk about grieving the seasons of childhood as they end. Who wants their babies to grow up? It's easy to be tearful of the end of a phase in life but Ruth takes joy in the next season. She shares how she gets excited for the next new adventure her kids will take on, (even if it's a little unnerving actually to have a child in the house that can drive!). Parenting older children is a totally different scenario when it comes to personal accountability. and how all the We've been teaching our kids about their behavior as they are also now aware of our own behavior. There's so much more at stake once our kids are watching and understanding our shortcomings. Ruth says it's so good for kids to see us mess up. We're not going to be perfect. But in a Constantly Under Construction theme, we are ALWAYS needing to say sorry for our mistakes, we are always becoming better by becoming more like Jesus. Ruth and I discuss our identity when it comes to our role or our professional work. Her perspective was changed once she realized that her mission was motherhood. We when push that idea of mission into any sort of work, it totally changes why we do what we do. Ruth encourages us to embrace the current season, whatever it may be. Her most practical advice was to encourage us that a season is just that, a season. It won't be forever, good or bad, so take the most positive parts of those sessions and find the joy in the present moment. The pressure is there to "be great". But at the end of the day, it's a simple act of obedience. Doing the simple acts of parenting, without worrying if it's approved by someone else, but just pleasing the Lord in your parenting. Ruth gives me a peek into what that looks like when parenting bigger kids. Her first act of obedience is spending time with the Lord. As simple as it sounds, it's not always easy and can affect the day. Her second act of obedience is just showing up for her kids. Even when she's tired, even when the to-do list is overwhelming, Ruth makes space in her day and her heart to invest in her children's lives. Now that her children are older, she finds that she needs to be even more intentional to connect with her children. For the times that might seem mundane or don't seem to be fruitful Ruth highlights that these times really matter. Throughout all the seasons of parenting, there's opportunity for God to do some of His greatest work in you! In time with prayer and scripture, you can be sure to see amazing changes in your role as a mom and in your relationships with your family. Ruth is passionate about all things family. Connect with Donna:
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Using Words of Life to Love Others - Love Does for Kids with Lindsey Viducich Ep 50
10/22/2018
Using Words of Life to Love Others - Love Does for Kids with Lindsey Viducich Ep 50
Lindsey Viducich is the daughter of Bob Goff. She and her dad wrote a complimentary book for children called Love Does For Kids. It was a thrill to have Lindsey on the show to make the stories that I’ve already heard so very real. If you’ve read the book Love Does, you’ll know that some of the tales in the book sound just like that, tales. But they are absolutely true and they immediately stir your heart in a whirlwind of whimsy and desire to love others. Love Does for Kids does the exact same thing, just on a level children can connect with! It was a real treat to hear Lindsey relay the incredible story of becoming friends dignitaries and leaders across the planet. Get affirmation that God’s love isn’t boring or predictable from Lindsey Viducich as she shares some amazing ways her family has loved life and loved others in the process. Lindsey made it clear that love doesn’t have to be extravagant to be communicated but it can be as simple as giving words of affirmation. This is a HUGE takeaway, friends. You may not think you can create a whimsical, hopeful, loving environment in your world,but you totally can by the words you use! These are little reminders of how to show God how much we love Him by how we love each other. Love it! Go to the show notes to connect with Lindsey Vidichich and buy a copy of Love Does for Kids. It would make an amazing family gift for Christmas. Friends, thank you for taking the time to fit Constantly Under Construction into your day. I’ve heard great things about how and when you listen to the podcast. Some of you have used the podcast as your regular routine for working out and running. Another listener told me she and her daughter listen together on road trips. I’m thrilled to learn that the podcast is encouraging and enriching your lives. Be sure to pass on the podcast to a friend and tell let me know how you love to listen! You can connect with me on Instagram at Constantly Under Construction. Scroll to these stand out points of the episode. [2:00] Whimsey Academy and the love of education [3:00] Kids can make an Impact - Project Based Learning [10:00] Cultivating Community - Neighborhood Parade [17:00] Loving others with Words of Life [21:50] World Leader’s Project / Parade Story [31:00] Continued Friendships in Authenticity (With a little Junk Food on the side) [34:00] The Comparison Trap and Resources for Teachers Quotable Moments "Loving people is also in those really simple acts, like even just how we use our words." "Words of Life, words that we speak to each other, that has a lot of power in how we love one another." "But you think that loving people is these big grandiose acts but it can also just be in the words we use with one another." When you buy Love Does For Kids from the link above, you're supporting Constantly Under Construction by clicking an affiliate link. Enter the receipt number to get some preorder bonuses!
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