Our Time to Rise In Midlife

Together we are rising to meet midlife's challenges, seasons, opportunities, and changes with strength, courage, optimism, and faith. From the heavy and hard to the light-hearted and fun, popular podcast hosts and leadership mentors Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall bring you honest and hopeful conversations for this moment in your life. We are intentional here. We are hopeful. We are courageous. We are honest. We are realistic. We are for each other. We are God fearing and Holy Spirit welcoming. We are joyful. We are generous. We are capable. We are rising together. It is our time to meet the moment. It is OUR TIME TO RISE.

Ep.528: Feeding ALL the People over the Holidays with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall 12/16/2025

Ep.527: Hospitality That Creates Connections with Abby Kuykendall 12/09/2025

Ep.527: Hospitality That Creates Connections with Abby Kuykendall Are you hosting over the holidays… or avoiding it? Do you ever wonder what actually matters when you open your home—and what absolutely doesn’t? If so, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. This week, Alex and Krista sit down with author and hospitality mentor Abby Kuykendall, whose book Let the Biscuits Burn gives permission to let go of entertaining to embrace the true heart of hospitality. Let’s peel back the pressure, perfectionism, and Pinterest-level expectations surrounding hosting—especially during the holidays—and get honest about what true Biblical hospitality really looks like. Takeaways: Hospitality is both a spiritual gift and a discipline. True hospitality focuses on making others feel loved and seen. Entertaining is different from hospitality; it’s more self-centered. Setting boundaries is crucial to prevent burnout during hosting. Practical tips can help incorporate hospitality into daily life. Creating a welcoming environment is key to effective hospitality. Hospitality can be transformative for both host and guest. Personal experiences highlight the power of opening one’s home. Hospitality doesn’t have to be perfect; it’s about connection. The conversation encourages embracing hospitality as a rhythm. FIND MORE ABOUT ABBY KUYKENDALL Abby Kuykendall- and Abby Kuykendall's Book- A FEW THINGS MENTIONED QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE When have you felt seen, known and loved, what did the other person do to help you feel that way? How can you be disciplined to build hospitality into your rhythms? What is one visual reminder you can create in your home or office that will trigger an invitation of hospitality? How can you get ready to be ready this holiday season? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/39322685

Ep.526: Celebrating Christmas When Things Feel Hard with Alex Kuykendall 12/02/2025

Ep.525: Freedom in Midlife with Gary Thomas 11/25/2025

Ep.524: Emotional Rest in Midlife with Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith 11/18/2025

Ep.523: Using the Holidays to Create Memories that Stick with Jessica Smartt 11/11/2025

Ep.523: Using the Holidays to Create Memories that Stick with Jessica Smartt Do you want to make the most of this holiday season? Do you want to let go of what doesn't matter and grab onto those things that make real and lasting memories? So do we. In this episode, Jessica Smartt joins us to discuss how to create lasting memories during the holidays while balancing traditions and new experiences. We talk about the importance of creating a welcoming home environment, managing expectations, and engaging older kids in meaningful activities. We also dive into the significance of building sibling relationships and the challenges that come with the holiday season, always landing with both feet on the hope that comes from celebrating together despite difficulties. If you want to prepare your head and heart for the holiday season, listen in! Takeaways The holidays are a time to create special memories with family. Strong families are built through intentional moments and connections. It's important to balance time-honored traditions with new experiences. Creating a welcoming home environment can enhance family gatherings. Managing expectations is crucial to enjoying the holiday season. Flexibility is key when planning holiday activities. Engaging older kids in meaningful traditions can strengthen family bonds. Sibling relationships can be nurtured through shared holiday activities. Every family faces challenges during the holidays, and that's okay. Celebrating the holidays is an opportunity to embody hope and joy. Titles Creating Lasting Holiday Memories Balancing Traditions and New Experiences Sound Bites "I want our memories to be special." "What is your howling coyote?" "That's hope. That's beautiful." FIND MORE ABOUT JESSICA SMARTT Jessica Smartt’s- and Jessica Smartt’s Book- A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Jessica’s Other Book QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What would it look like to take a posture of flexibility this holiday season? As Jessica said, God has uniquely wired you with gifts for your family, how can you capitalize on those gifts that you already have to create more of a nest for your family? How can you embody the spirit of the holiday you are celebrating? What is one action step from the podcast you can implement and be specific is it an idea, posture, game or tradition? What is the opportunity God is inviting you into your specific hard this holiday season? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/38982650

Ep.522: Choosing the Opposite in Moments of Tension with Tammy Melchien 11/04/2025

Ep.521: The Sacred Act of Letting Go with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall 10/28/2025

Ep.521: The Sacred Act of Letting Go with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall Letting go is the name of the game in midlife. We’re invited to open our hands, releasing what was and receiving what is. Whether it’s a role we once held, a relationship that’s shifted, a long-held dream, or even our health, midlife invites deep transformation through loss and renewal. In this episode, Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall explore the sacred art of letting go through the lens of Scripture and grounded psychological insight. They discuss the necessity of grieving what’s been lost while making space for new beginnings. Ultimately, letting go isn’t a passive act - it’s an intentional, faith-filled practice that opens the door to freedom, peace, and deeper trust in God’s unfolding story. If you find yourself in a surrendering season, this episode is for you! TAKEAWAYS: It's essential to discern when to end something and when to persevere. Letting go is a gradual process, much like building a muscle. Midlife brings significant changes that require us to let go. Grief is a natural response to change and loss. Surrendering to God's will is a key aspect of faith. Self-regulation is essential in navigating life's transitions. Letting go can be painful, as it often involves loss of identity. Ending well is important for personal growth and closure. Recognizing expectations can help in the letting go process. Scripture provides numerous examples of letting go and trusting God. FEW THINGS MENTIONED Episode 469- QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE Is there an area where you need to surrender? Thinking of Ecclesiastes 3, what season is changing for you right now? Can you form a statement much like in Ecclesiastes 3 that says there is a season for one thing and a season for another in your life, be specific in how your seasons are changing. What is God inviting you into as you discern your next steps? When have you been blessed by letting go? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will imme /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/38798845

Ep.520: Navigating Divorce with Jessica kastner 10/14/2025

Ep.519: The Questions Get Bigger: Talking About Adoption with Teens and Young Adults with Sherri Crandall 10/07/2025

Ep.519: The Questions Get Bigger: Talking About Adoption with Teens and Young Adults with Sherri Crandall Most resources around adoption focus on early childhood—when questions are simple and development is more predictable. But what happens when our kids become teens and young adults, and the questions grow deeper? In this episode, we sit down with Sherri Crandall, children’s book author and VP of Global Ministries and Leadership Experience for The MomCo, Sherri opens up about her family’s path to adoption and the evolving conversations she’s having now with her daughter, Lexi, as she steps into adulthood. Together we explore: Why it’s important to invite young adults to lead conversations about identity, heritage, and belonging How to honor each child’s unique story, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all narrative Practical ways to help adopted young people connect to their cultural roots If you’re a parent, family member, or anyone who loves an adopted child, this episode is especially for you. Join us as we dive into what it really means to walk alongside someone through adoption during the teen and young adult years. FIND MORE ABOUT SHERRI CRANDALL Sherri Crandall's – and Sherri Crandall's Book- QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE If you are not adopted, consider for a moment what it would be like to enter adulthood with no connections to your birth family, what questions would you picture rising up in you? If you are an adoptive parent, how can you let your child or young-adult lead the conversation around adoption? How can you honor your child's heritage and birth family in both your traditions and conversations? What message do you want to make sure they know from you? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/38481800

Ep.518: Giving Your Children Unconditional Love with John Trent and Kari Trent Stageberg 09/30/2025

Ep.517: Motherhood is Not Your Highest Calling with Vicki Courtney 09/23/2025

Ep.516: The Critical Role of Friendship with Toni Collier 09/16/2025

Ep.515: Parenting in the Next Chapter - Shifting Your Role as Kids Grow Up with Catherine Hickem 09/09/2025

Ep.515: Parenting in the Next Chapter - Shifting Your Role as Kids Grow Up with Catherine Hickem Parenting doesn’t stop when our kids turn 18, but it sure does change. In this episode, we’re talking about what it really looks like to navigate the young adult years with these children we love so much. We dig into that tricky shift, moving from the role of “director” to more of a “guide on the side.” You’ll hear honest insights about letting go, building trust, and learning how to communicate in a way that actually works for this new season. It’s not always easy, especially when every instinct tells you to jump in and fix things, but there’s real beauty when we step back, trust our kids’ choices, and cheer them on. Joining us for this episode is Catherine Hickem, a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and the founder of Parenting Adult Children Today. With over 40 years of experience in parenting and therapy, Catherine is dedicated to equipping parents with the tools needed to love and support their adult children effectively. If you’re ready to build healthier, stronger connections with your adult kids (and maybe even enjoy the ride a little more), this conversation is for you. FIND MORE ABOUT CATHERINE HICKEM Catherine Hickem – and QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE Is there an expectation you need to grieve when it comes to your adult children inorder to enter with curiosity into their lives? What would a pause or a statement look like if you don't know how to respond? Is there a conversation that needs to be had, in order to move forward with a young adult child? Is there any anger you need to get underneath and what fear or sadness lies underneath that anger? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/38130865

Ep.514: Messages We Pass to Our Children About What God Says About Us with Hosanna Wong 09/02/2025

Ep.513: How to Make the Most of Counseling in Midlife with Dr. Terri Watson 08/26/2025

Ep.512: The Spiritual Practice (and Power) of Stretching and Breathing with Whitney Simpson 08/19/2025

Ep.512: The Spiritual Practice (and Power) of Stretching and Breathing with Whitney Simpson Our bodies need our attention. When stress comes knocking, we often don't realize how much we hold. We need a way to slow down and release the physical tension. Our guest Whitney Simpson discovered this need after a major medical crisis. Stretching and holding poses through yoga allowed her to be fully present in her skin while praying and meditating. A Christian spiritual director - she helps people work through practices that are attuned to their whole selves. Much of what we talk about on this episode has to do with slowing down and noticing what is happening in our bodies. It is tempting to ignore how our bodies keep the score, but ignoring doesn't offer what we need. Our bodies need our attention. In a stage of life where you may be caring for people above and below you in age, working hard at your paid job, and feeling new aches and pains, it is often easier to push aside physical discomfort or tension than to acknowledge it. This episode will remind you how to be present enough to notice what your body is carrying and how God can meet you in your movement and breath. FIND MORE ABOUT WHITNEY SIMPSON Whitney Simpson- Whitney Simpson Book- Whitney Simpson Podcast- FEW THINGS MENTIONED Whitney's Other Books Hebrew "ruach", "nouma"- Breath, Spirit or Wind Alex Kuykendall's Book- QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE If you were to choose one word to describe your relationship with your body now, what would it be? Where in your day could you build in the habit of taking several deep breaths or practicing breath prayer? What practice can you put into place to feel more integrated with your body? Is there a time in the next few days, you could commit to 10minutes of meditation? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/37860655

Ep.511: Faith + Science: understanding divine creation through the natural world with Dr. William West 08/12/2025

Ep.510: A Checklist for Parenting Young Adults PART 2 with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall 08/05/2025

Ep.510: A Checklist for Parenting Young Adults PART 2 with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall You have controlled some aspect of your child's life their entire life and now you are expected to let go?! To let them make mistakes and decisions without you?! Yes and no. Yes to letting go and making decisions on their own. But you don't have to leave them completely alone. This is the fine line of parenting young adults, you are now the coach. In the second part of this two-part conversation, Krista and Alex talk through some of the ways they are letting go as they launch young adults toward independence. There is no one, right way. However there are questions we can ask ourselves as we enter conversations and decisions with intention. What do we pay for? And for how long? Do we speak up if we see a red flag in a relationship? What about when they need to move back home? We know that parenting young adults in today's world can feel a bit like running in the dark. We are here to say you are not alone and this is your moment to rise to meet the newest challenge of the day! A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Phrases to use on your young adult That sounds really hard. I know you will make a thoughtful decision. I believe you will find the courage you need to get through this. You're made for good things and that doesn't change based on what happens today. I know this is your decision, I trust you'll figure it out and I am cheering for you. Quotes "Adolescents may also share what's on their minds as a way to spill their jumbled thoughts on the table where they can survey and perhaps organize them. Adults can help create the space teenagers need to do this. So long as we remember to listen without interrupting and hold back from adding our own thoughts to the pile. Much of what bothers teenagers cannot be solved. We can't fix their broken hearts, prevent their social dramas, or do anything about the fact that they have three huge tests scheduled for the same day. But having a problem is not nearly so bad as feeling utterly alone with it." Lisa Demore QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE How can you take on more of a coaching role with your young adult? What part of your relationship could use some clarity and how can you be kind through clarity this week? How can you encourage your young adult to create a web of supportive relationships? How can you live your faith out authentically in front of the young adults in your life? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/37664550

Ep.509: A Checklist for Parenting Young Adults PART 1 with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall 07/29/2025

Ep.508:The Female Spiritual Journey with Bekah Stewart 07/22/2025

Ep.508:The Female Spiritual Journey with Bekah Stewart We often hear the first half of life is about building and the second half of life is about facing limitations. That can be true. What is also true is that many women spend much of their lives investing in others, that the life trajectories we often hear talked about reflect a traditional career path that don't exactly capture a female career path. The same is true for discussions around lifetime spiritual journeys. The people who have written many of the books we follow about spiritual journeys have been men and so naturally their teachings reflect their experiences. Bekah Stewart, author of the new book Permission to Matter, is a spiritual director who has been considering the spiritual journey of women. In midlife many of us are waking up to parts of ourselves that have laid dormant for a long time. This has sometimes been out of survival, other times simply out of our caretaking roles. What would it look like if our spiritual path included reimagining life to its fullest NOW? What if we are to reawaken or rediscover parts of us that have been sleeping for a while? This conversation may bring up some questions for you about the direction you are headed and how God is available to you. Your spiritual journey may be at an exciting juncture as you consider what it means to wake up and stand up. It is our time to rise after all. FIND MORE ABOUT BEKAH STEWART Bekah Stewart – and Bekah Stewart Book- FEW THINGS MENTIONED - Carol Lakey Hess QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE Which of the two paths she laid out do you resonate with most? The one of ascent and descent or the one of self-abnegation. What is one feature you can identify of your false self? How has it worked to protect you over time? How might you wake up and stand up to hidden parts of yourself? Who has authority over your decisions over your life, how might you offer God the most authority? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/37487865

Ep.507: Walking Kids Through Grief + Loss with Clarissa Moll 07/15/2025

Ep.507: Walking Kids Through Grief + Loss with Clarissa Moll It’s hard enough dealing with our own grief, but helping children, teens, and young adults navigate grief and loss is another level of hard, one that we often avoid or find ourselves lacking, not knowing how to do it. Grief is never one-size-fits-all—especially for kids, teens, and young adults who are still learning how to make sense of the world. In this conversation, we welcome Clarissa Moll—author, speaker, and widow—who vulnerably shares her personal journey of loss after her husband’s sudden death and what it’s looked like to walk alongside her own children through grief. Together, we explore how to navigate conversations about death and loss with honesty and care, the unique ways children and adolescents express sorrow, and how presence—more than perfection—is what young hearts need most. From the role of trusted adults to creative outlets for grief expression, Clarissa offers wisdom for every stage of growing up with grief. Whether you’re parenting a grieving child, mentoring a teen, or supporting a young adult facing deep loss, this episode is filled with practical tools and hopeful truth. Clarissa reminds us: it’s never too late to show up with compassion, courage, and connection. FIND MORE ABOUT CLARISSA MOLL Clarissa Moll's – and Clarissa Moll's Podcast- Clarissa Moll's Book- A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Clarissa's More Books - - -Cs Lewis Grieving Resources - - QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE How did you experience grief as a child? How does that inform how you talk about grief with your own children? Is there a child in your sphere, maybe not your own child, that you could be a trusted adult for? No matter how long it's been, is there a conversation around grief that you need to have with someone in your life? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/37398085

Ep.506: Social Media Reset with Allie Marie 07/08/2025

Ep.505: Living in Sync with the Holy Spirit with Margaret Feinberg 07/01/2025

Ep.505: Living in Sync with the Holy Spirit with Margaret Feinberg Holy Spirit feel familiar? Intimidating? Confusing? This part of the Trinity can be mysterious. And yet the Spirit is an integral part to living a life of faith. Author Margaret Feinberg joins the podcast to talk about the nature of Holy Spirit, how we can engage and access this delightful part of our Christian experience. What have you been taught about Holy Spirit? What questions do you have? How might a life that dances in accordance with the Spirit bring you closer to God and to Jesus? These are questions we can walk through our days without considering, but when we do we discover there is more to our spiritual life than we often access. Let's do this together! LISTEN TO THE EPISODE Does Holy Spirit feel familiar? Intimidating? Confusing? This part of the Trinity can be mysterious. And yet the Spirit is an integral part to living a life of faith. Author Margaret Feinberg joins the podcast to talk about the nature of Holy Spirit, how we can engage and access this delightful part of our Christian experience. What have you been taught about Holy Spirit? What questions do you have? How might a life that dances in accordance with the Spirit bring you closer to God and to Jesus? These are questions we can walk through our days without considering, but when we do we discover there is more to our spiritual life than we often access. Let's do this together! FIND MORE ABOUT MARGARET FEINBERG Margaret Feinberg's – , and Margaret Feinberg Book's- Margaret Feinberg's Podcast- A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Margaret's More Books - - -Tohu Wahovu-representative of watery abyss( large body of water) Five Prompting from Holy Spirit Is the prompting consistent with the scripture and the word of God? Does the prompting cause me to love God and love others? Does the prompting leave me with deep sense of peace, the shalom? Will the prompting yield the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Does wise counsel affirm this prompting? QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What has been your experience with Holy Spirit? What would it look like for you to pay more attention to the spirit in your life? What is a journal prompt you can use to help you listen for Holy Spirit to speak? What question can you use to help you discern if what you're hearing is from Holy Spirit? LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/37225740

Happy June - we're taking a break 06/10/2025

Ep.504: Going Back to School in Midlife with Ashley Larkin 05/27/2025

Ep.503: This is What Courage Looks Like with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall 05/20/2025

Ep.502: The Power of the Underestimated with Mary Marantz 05/13/2025

Ep.501: When the Pain Feels Like Too Much with Linda Dillow 05/06/2025

Ep.500: Cheers to 500! The Episodes that Changed Us with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall 04/29/2025

Ep.500: Cheers to 500! The Episodes that Changed Us with Krista Gilbert and Alex Kuykendall We did it—500 episodes! Today, we’re celebrating this incredible milestone by taking a look back at the conversations that have shaped us, stretched us, and stayed with us. From unforgettable guests who made us laugh, to powerful lessons that changed the way we think and lead—this episode is a tribute to the moments that mattered most. We’re sharing the episodes we return to again and again… and the ones you keep talking about too. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or just found us recently, this 500th episode is a celebration of the journey we’ve taken together. Come celebrate with us! LIST OF FAVORITE EPISODE John Mark Comer - 5 Episodes That I Think of Often 388 with Sasha Shillcut (people are upset when you establish new boundaries bc they benefitted from your lack of boundaries or are resentful they didn’t maintain the same boundary) 444 (emphasis on maintaining relationship) 266 (Her own story of determining alcohol was no longer serving her) 376 (The things that used to work no longer do) 332 (On being an informed citizen with boundaries) Krista with Sean and Jill Maher with Tyler Lafferty with Dr Curt Thompson Midlife is no joke - T with Kelly Flanagan with Jerry Sittser 5 Guests I Won’t Forget 181 377 310 David Thomas —> 274 & 165 261 Krista with Dr Jim Burns with Dr Saundra Dalton - how to be a person of legacy with Gary Thomas 5 Episodes Where I’ve Implemented Something I Learned 446 with Julie Powell and Krista Olufson 437 with Megan Dahlman 414 with Jammie Baker 312 with Tanya Dalton 430 with Anna Watson Carl Krista Ep 493 with John Eldredge - quote + God being “right here” in you + pausing + day, week, month year plan for renewal with Emily Love with Jeff Henderson with Trisha Kroll with John Townsend 5 Episodes That Brought Me Joy (It was all about the guests) & Building a Lasting Legacy with Rick and Diane Thomas 445 with Rebecca Reid, Color Analyst 326 with Dr. Curt Thompson 305 with Eric Peterson 95 Krista with Dan Allender with John Trent - b/c she’s awesome - b/c there’s no one like Kate and it’s a moving story of faith - Movement heals the body 5 Episodes Others Have Talked About & : What I’ve Noticed About You: Our Keys to Longterm Friendship 373: with Casey Von Stein 469: 378 with Dr. Carol Tanksley 472: With Kaitlyn Schess Krista with Aundi Kobler with Julie and Chris Bennett - two secrets to living life well with Ken Wytsma - most recent episode on going back to work SPOTIFY LINK TO THE A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Books - Gary Thomas - Gary Thomas - Kate Merrick - Edie Littlefield Sundby - Jim Burns -Aundi kolber LET’S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and or share it with a friend. Or – we’d love to hear from you! -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier /episode/index/show/theopendoorsisterhood/id/36346705

Our Time to Rise In Midlife

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