The Lovely Life

Do you need a break? Of course, you do!  In this episode, Trina shares a summer update and chats about the importance of taking a break when we feel our bodies and souls are crying out for one... It's interesting that we use the language "take a break" because quite literally we must choose to "take"  one...no one is going to grant us a break, we have to initiate one for ourselves. Taking a break is necessary so that we can quiet down exterior noise and begin to listen to what's really going on within ourselves and discover what kind of rest we personally need. You might not be able to take a break from everything, but what can you take a break from this summer? How can you quiet noise, rest your exhausted body, play, delight, and dream about what might be next.

Just as your house needs a good spring clean, so does your soul. Our souls are the home to our mind, will, and emotions. If we aren't sorting through our inner junk, it's going to turn into clutter. In this episode, Trina shares practical ways in which we can take a good and honest look at what needs attention on the inside of our lives, as well as steps we can take to clean out, clear out, and create space.

Join Trina and learn how you can:

• begin to pay attention to your inner life
• identify stress (are you facing everyday stress or chronic stress?)
• pursue peace
• see and make choices when you feel stuck
• speak to your soul (speak life) when you feel down

Tired of striving? Hustling? Running? Feeling frenzied? Burned out? Maybe you want to slow down, but you're not sure how? In episode 41 Trina is talking with best-selling author Mary Marantz about her new book Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots. Trina and Mary discuss how we can let go of achieving for our worth and find purpose. Mary shares her journey from growing up in a single-wide trailer to Yale Law School and how striving for gold stars and achievements eventually led her to a different definition of success.  In a most beautiful way, Mary reminds us: "We are not in a race with anyone. Good things take time. REAL things take time. And slow growth equals strong roots." This episode will help you determine if you are leaning into freedom or striving. Let's trade striving for slowing down and growing strong.

What do you do when you're suddenly navigating a life you didn't sign up for? On Episode 40 of The Lovely Life, Trina talks with author Lisa Appelo to discuss her new book, Life Can Be Good Again. Lisa shares her story of the tragic and sudden loss of her husband and what her process of journeying through grief has been like and how God can reshape a shattered heart. In this episode, we talk about:

· finding your footing when circumstances bring massive change;
· how to process hard emotions with God, who welcomes them;
· overcoming paralyzing fear with three scriptural steps; and
· anchoring your faith when your hope seems threadbare.

Mentioned in this episode:

On this week's episode of the Lovely Life, Trina brings on Sandi Brown, founder and president of JOY FM in St Louis, along with Dr. Michelle Caulk, assistant professor and director of clinical experience at Huntington University. Together, they discuss their new book Healing Out Loud, which covers Sandi's journey of understanding and loving herself. Women often are extremely hard on themselves, to the point of not liking who they are and who God created them to be. Sandi and Dr. Caulk share their own unique perspectives, from the therapist and the client, on what the inner process of loving God, releasing shame, liking yourself, and healing relationships can look like.

If you've ever wondered about counseling or have had questions or reservations about seeing a therapist this episode will be helpful and insightful.

Do you find yourself feeling lonelier as you get older? Growing up has all kinds of challenges, but no one really prepares us for the challenge of making adult friendships. In Episode 38, Trina chats with Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston about their new book, I'll Be There (But I'll Be Wearing Sweatpants): Finding Unfiltered, Real-Life Friendships in This Crazy, Chaotic World. In this episode, they unpack all the different ways they stay vulnerable in making new friendships, giving grace and keeping an open mind.

How do you experience joy in your life? Do you like to celebrate? In this week's episode, Trina brings back her friend Nicole Zasowski to talk about her new book, What If It's Wonderful?

Nicole sheds light on how celebration is a practice and spiritual discipline as well as how we can choose joy in our everyday and learn to actually enjoy our lives. So often in life, we tend to wait for the other shoe to drop, we are experts at anticipating and worrying that things may not turn out well. We self-protect in order to avoid disappointment. After all, there are so many heartaches we've already experienced. Nicole shows us why celebration is not just a reward waiting for us on the other side of a good outcome and helps us begin to look through the lens of  "What If It's Wonderful?"  In this episode, Nicole shows us how to practically begin doing this by teaching us the practice of "savoring."

What narrative do you tell yourself? What role have you been assigned? Our identities can be shaped by many different influences, some welcomed, others not. But how do you overcome all the noise? In this week's episode, Trina shares her journey of overcoming both the internal and external noise from Unclutter Your Soul.

What does owning something mean to you? In Episode 35, Trina reads out of Chapter Two, "Own" of her new book, Unclutter Your Soul. What we own and how we own it goes way beyond the physical, we own our inner selves, our choices, our thoughts and emotions. Trina explores what owning your inner self looks like and how owning your inner home can have a  drastic change in your life.

In this week's episode, Trina shares a special sneak peek of the chapter "Listen to the Soundtrack of Your Soul" from her new book. With all of the noise and distractions in today's world, it takes intention to listen to what our soul (mind, will, and emotions) are telling us. In this chapter, Trina unpacks facing her (surprising) emotions and buried pain head-on- which led her into a journey of discovering how to sit in stillness and tune into what her soul needs. What could your soul be trying to tell you? Find out how to listen to your soul in today's episode.

In this week's episode of The Lovely Life, Trina shares her method of taking inventory of her soul clutter. Through a six-step process, you can also learn how to peel apart, examine, and reflect on what's cluttering your own soul.

In Episode 31 of The Lovely Life, Trina sits down with new friend and author, Jennifer Dukes Lee. We've all been in a season of forced slow down when Covid hit, but just because our schedules cleared doesn't mean our minds and hearts have as well. Jennifer and Trina explore the process of slowing your mind to create space for growth, peace and happiness.

About Jennifer:

In episode 30 of the Lovely Life, Trina brings on Andi Andrew to talk about her new book Friendship - It's Complicated. Trina and Andi dive into the complicated realm of adult friendships, women wounds, therapy and how Jesus can transform your perspective on relationships.

To kick off the holidays, Trina shares some of her tips and tricks to getting through the holidays- from managing expectations and pursuing peace, to intentionally strategizing joy. And speaking of joy- she winds down the episode sharing some of her favorite gifts you'll want to grab (either for yourself or a friend, or both!) this year! 

Welcome to Season 4 of The Lovely Life! Before the business of the holidays fully ensue, Trina kicks off this new season by sharing some exciting personal, and professional, life updates with her listeners. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, tired, anxious or confused- this is for you. Tune in and find out more!

In the last episode of Season 3, Trina brings on Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith, an internal wellness expert who's been featured on Dr. Oz, MSNBC and Women's Day. Dr Saundra tells us about the various forms of physical and emotional rest, including the many psychological benefits. 

In Episode 25 of The Lovely Life, Trina brings on a new friend- Jeannie Cunnion to talk about her new book Don't Miss Out: Daring to Believe Life Is Better with the Holy Spirit. Jeannie and Trina dissect and discuss the various aspects of the Holy Spirit and how leaning into Him brings a fuller, deeper understanding of God and helps us significantly improve our everyday life.

In this week's episode of The Lovely Life, Trina chats with new friend Olga Mecking- author of the popular book Niksen the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing. As a Polish native, Olga shares her experience on Dutch culture and how ways "doing nothing" helps clear the mind and realigns perspective. 

Olga is a writer, journalist and translator based in the Netherlands. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian the BBC and The Atlantic, among other publications.

In this week’s episode of the Lovely Life, Trina hangs out with Jeanne Oliver- painter, podcaster and creative connoisseur. Jeanne shares her journey through discovery her creativity and finding ways to share that with other people. She has created an online platform that provides people a way to find creative teachers by each craft they’re interested in- ranging from pottery to painting and everything in between!

In Episode 22 of the Lovely Life Podcast, Trina chats with certified Pilates instructor and founder of the Balanced Life Sisterhood, Robin Long. Robin and Trina discuss the importance of taking care of your body, mind, and spirit and the incredible benefits Pilates can bring to all three! Trina shares how a personal story of how Pilates helped her regain her strength after an intense illness. Robin and Trina both believe in the power of small, consistent practice and have experienced firsthand the transformative benefits of small physical changes.

In this week's episode, Trina brings on new friend Emily Ley, founder of the popular brand Simplified and author of new book Growing Boldy: Dare to Build a Life You Love. Emily shares with us her wisdom in pursuing your calling in the season you're in, how to find beauty in the life you have today, and how to grow in confidence, even through the struggle. 

Show Notes Here:

In Episode 18, Trina chats with bestselling author and writing coach Ally Fallon about the power and clarity writing brings to life. With small practices, habits, and daily rhythms, Ally shares how writing is more than just words on a paper- it's healing and processing.

In today's episode, Trina sits down with long-time friend and Enneagram coach, Christina Bacino. Trina and Christina dive in deep discussing Enneagram assessments, Strength Finder results, and their favorite books on knowing yourself in Christ. Sometimes it's hard to know what God is calling you to do, but when we understand who God created us to be, it becomes more clear.

In Episode 16, Trina chats with new friend Hannah Brencher about her new book Fighting Forward and what progress in your everyday looks like: it doesn't have to be big leaps and bounds, but can be small steps and soft choices. Join Trina and Hannah as they discuss how they show up to their everyday life, what their process for progress is and how to finish well.

Hannah Brencher is the author of Fighting Forward, a blogger, TED speaker and entrepreneur. She founded The World Needs More Love Letters, a global community dedicated to sending letter bundles to those who need encouragement. Named as one of the White House’s “Women Working to Do Good” and a spokesperson for the United States Postal Service, Hannah has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Oprah, Glamour, USATODAY.com, the Chicago Tribune and more.

In Episode 15, Trina sits down with business coach and author, Alli Worthington, to talk about what it means for women to be confident and stand strong in life. From callings and careers to relationships and identity--Trina and Alli share their personal stories of hardships they've both faced and ways they stood in the knowledge of who they were and what they're created for.

In Episode 13, Trina talks to Seth Haines about his personal story of battling addiction, finding purpose through his pain, and how he reordered his life. Seth details the aches of addiction, beauty in healing, and redemption of recovery.  If you, yourself, or a loved one has battled addiction--this episode is a must-listen. Trina and Seth discuss what addiction really is, why pain cannot be ignored, coping mechanisms and attachments, how to support a loved one who is dependant on substances, why we need to examine our own hearts, and healthy ways to reorder our lives. 

In the last episode of season one, Trina shares her favorite finds of 2020 along with a few practical ways we can be kind to ourselves. Trina's been sharing her favorite finds on the internet for over a decade--she has a knack for finding and sharing lovely things whether they are items for the home, beauty products, books, fashion, or even platforms and programs. You'll love this conversational episode. Bonus: There are so many great last-minute gift ideas for friends and family (or to treat yourself!).

What does home mean to you? I'm talking with style guru, and my best blogger friend, Kirsten Grove (also known as "Simply Grove"). Kirsten and I met back in the 2008 blog boom when we both started our blogs (Simply Grove and La La Lovely), and to this day, we are both passionate about home and design (Kirsten, however, is the professional). In this episode, we discuss why home is so important (especially in the year 2020), where to start when it comes to styling and decorating your home (even when they are temporary spaces—we are both renting homes at the moment), and how to make your home cozy for winter and the holidays. This conversation is a lovely mix of thoughts around the soul of a home and very practical tips (including favorite paint colors) that you can implement today.

Stress and pain are easily amplified during this holiday season—2020 takes this to a whole new level—and for many people, the holidays are not merry and bright, they are hard. In this episode, Trina talks about why it is important to not just "get through" the holidays but, rather, to "go through" this season taking care of ourselves, acknowledging the hard, giving thanks for the good, and keeping our eyes and hearts open. Trina shares her practices that will help you practically approach the holidays, protect your peace, and experience joy—even when the holiday season is hard.

In this episode, I share what my Bible reading practice looks like, how anyone can begin without intimidation, and why reading God’s Word is so important. This episode is my story, and history, of reading the Bible (meditating on God's Word) for over 25 years. I'll share how I read the Bible, what tools I use, and other practical pointers to help you grow in your faith. I'm passionate about God's word because it's the single greatest thing that has brought about transformation in my life. God’s word inspires us, equips us, encourages us, guides us, informs us, convicts us, corrects us, heals us, comforts us, consoles us, imparts wisdom and understanding, instructs us, restores us, floods our hearts with hope, and reminds us of who God is and who we are—how easily we forget, sometimes daily.

Do you ever feel short of breath or find yourself holding your breath? Can you feel stress and tension in your body? Of course, you do, you're human and you're living in the year 2020. In this episode, Trina interviews Melanie Connell a Physical Therapist and Nutritional Health Coach who shares the benefits of breathing properly and how we can become stress-resilient. This episode is both insightful and super practical as we discuss different breathing techniques that you can do any time and anyplace to calm your autonomic nervous system (learn how to go from fight/flight to rest and digest mode). Melanie, also, shares why carbon dioxide matters and teaches us how to test our carbon dioxide tolerance.

In this episode, Trina speaks with Jessica Lindberg - a writer and a change-maker with a passion for the divinity of every human heart. She’s built a powerfully resilient life through horrific personal traumas. Jessica's life is a testament to how growth can come from grief and how we are created for the life that we have. In this raw and honest conversation, Jessica will inspire and encourage you to meet life’s challenges and turmoil to thrive.

This episode features my first everyday guest (someone from my everyday life): my sister, Amy. Lately, I've recognized a story that I always tell myself. I was talking with my sister about it and discovered she tells herself the same story.

Do you have a story that you tell yourself? A repetitive narrative? Is it positive? Negative? A lie you might be believing or agreeing with? Amy and I will share what story we've been telling ourselves and what we are doing about it.

Have you ever felt like your life was a mystery? Like you were stuck in a chapter with no clues? Your situation, your life, left totally unsolvable? In this episode, we'll discuss how we don’t have to have all of the answers to live fully, today. Uncertainty can either point us towards insecurity or towards curiosity and creativity.