Behind the Bliss Podcast

Have you ever felt a little "blah" when it comes to your prayer time? You feel like you're throwing up the same requests and aren't sure if they're being heard. Or maybe, you know and trust the truth that God is in that conversation with us but it feels distant and not exactly the "thriving" relationship with God you hoped for? Then, this episode is for you! Valerie Woerner of Val Marie Paper (and my favorite prayer journal) is joining us to chat about reinvigorating your prayer life, the privilege it is, and how we can change our perspective to get excited about talking to God. Shownotes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/148 BTB on Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast Val on Instagram: instagram.com/valmariepaper

Have you made mistakes in the past that continually haunt you? Maybe you're afraid of making similar mistakes in the future and it's all too consuming. At some point, the weight of these mistakes begins to weigh on how we view ourselves and the worth we find within. The all-too-familiar feeling of unworthiness becomes prominent, causing us to live from a place of fear and despair. But what if it chose to talk about it, rather than push it down? Today's guest, Eryn Eddy, gets it. In today's conversation, she shares with us how to trade this feeling for the truth that changes everything: you are valuable. In her new book, So Worth Loving: How Discovering Your True Value Changes Everything, Eryn shares her stories and revelations, honest insights, and the struggles she encountered in her pursuit to discover her worth. Shownotes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/147

He's here! Baby Maddex joined the Awtrey family on March 14th and boy oh boy! We have a story to tell! What started out as a normal appointment turned into a crazy next few weeks. Listen to our funny moments, the moments Rachel got sassy with her doctor on accident, things we didn't know about labor beforehand that we wish we would have known and how Maddex came into the world. We're sharing the deets! Shownotes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/146 Rachel on Instagram: instagram.com/rachel.awtrey BTB on Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast

I hear ya... there's a lot in the world you'd probably like to change and this past year brought many of these needed changes to our attention. But, how do we help? Like actually, practically help. Big ways or small, we're called to step in and offer hope, peace, and kindness to the world around us as Jesus did. Need a "next step" or some inspiration on how to? Meet my friend Amy Wolff in today's episode. Amy Wolff, a busy mom, and small business owner, often felt this way--and didn't feel qualified to connect and uplift others. But one day, after hearing about several suicides and suicide attempts in her community, she printed 20 yard signs with hopeful messages and anonymously placed them throughout her city. This small action sparked a global movement of encouragement which lead to her new book, "Signs of Hope: How Small Acts of Love Can Change Your World." Show notes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/145

Home. It is an elegant word, at once both simple and far-reaching. Home is a place to live in and feel comfortable, but it is much more than that. Hey mama! Do you find yourself slightly cringing when someone asks what you do and you respond with "stay at home mom" or "homemaker"? We get it and are happy to have Carrie Gress on the show to hype you up, lift your spirits and give you a glimpse into why homemakers are the actual heroes. In this inspiring conversation about home, life, and family, Carrie wraps her arms around you, helps you re-establish your purpose in your home, and route you in the direction to create a safe and abundant space for you and your family. Carrie and two other wives and mothers wrote an incredible book, Theology of Home, as a simple guide to help reorient all of us toward our true home, allowing us to think purposefully about how to make our own homes on earth better equipped to get all those living in them to the Father’s house. More on all of this in today's episode! Show notes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/144

This one is for the girls that find themselves struggling with purpose. It's easier to "go through the motions" and not think critically about our next step, letting God speak into our moments and search for Him in everything we do. "We have enough on our plates, already? Right?" What if I told you that life could actually be easier, more full, and abundant when we lean into the intentional?! Today's conversation with Bethany Adkins opens up this idea. Bethany offers up the idea that when we walk in the intentional, make time for life-giving conversations and sit down and process, we can find a freshness to life. Bethany is the author of "My Why Journal" that you need to get your hands on if you're a mama! Show notes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/143 BTB on Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast Purchase a "My Why Journal": https://www.bethanyadkins.com/mywhyjournal

Recently, I've caught myself saying "I just want to get back to feeling like 'me' again." You may be in this same boat with me! And if you are, today's episode is for you! Today my new friend Christy Wright is joining us to chat all about her new devotional, Living True: 40 Days to Get Back to You. Let me tell you - it is full of practical wisdom! Christy is a mama, a wife, works closely with Dave Ramsey, has written one of my other favorite books, "Business Boutique." Today, we're talking all about the truth about who God is, who you are, the truth about the season you're in right now, and why your future is hopeful. I feel like the word "hope" may be foreign to many of us because we've been "let down" recently. But, today's the day that we get our hopes up and cling to the truth to knowing who God is so that in return, we can know ourselves better and start feeling like ourselves again. Show notes: behindthebliss.com/shownotes/142

Are you close to giving up on that person, that dream, the goal, the idea that God placed on your heart? Friend, hold tight. This episode will bring fresh perspective and vision, I promise! Emily Lex joins me in a conversation all about where our identity can be found, how to practically work our way back to finding this part of ourselves, leaning into God in a new way, and encountering Him in our everyday life. Shownotes: behindthebliss.com/shownotes/141 BTB Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast Emily's Book, "Freely and Lightly": https://rstyle.me/+zlRTdf6gFH5JPNmFsPXWEQ

Most who have experience will readily agree: marriage is hard. But is it worth it? In a country where marriage gets a bad rap, it seems as though an exciting, loving, satisfying, Christ-honoring, lasting marital relationship is unattainable. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? What if marriage was fun? Adventurous? Meaningful? Jamie Ivey joins us again to give her insight into these questions about marriage. Hey! Fun news! She and her husband, Aaron, just released a new Bible study, Complement: Seeing the Beauty of Marriage Through Scripture, and book duo, Complement: The Surprising Beauty of Choosing Together Over Separate in Marriage that you can now get your hands on! There’s so much more available to us in a marriage relationship than culture would have us believe. Jamie encourages us in today's episode to build a satisfying and lasting marriage by centering it around Christ, uniting with your spouse, cheering each other on, responding the right way when they fail each other, and serving one another well. Shownotes: behindthebliss.com/shownotes/140 BTB on Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast Rachel on Instagram: instagram.com/rachel.awtrey

Struggle with perfection? Do you find yourself striving to make pieces of your life, your body, or your relationships "ideal"? Do you find yourself comparing your reality to someone else's perceived reality? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, today's episode is for you! Cambria Joy joins us today to chat about how to take pride in their God-given bodies and live more fully. She shares with us her story of transformation after struggling with body image and perfectionism and how she has come to enjoy how God has designed her uniquely. Shownotes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/139 BTB on Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast.com Cambria on Instagram: instagram.com/cambriajoy

It’s time to rethink rejection! Popular dating coach and host of The Heart of Dating podcast Kait Warman has reckoned with rejection to find a life of freedom, wholeness, and purpose, and wants deep down for others to do the same. In her new book, Thank You for Rejecting Me: Transform Pain into Purpose and Learn to Fight for Yourself, Kait vulnerably shares how she grew through her deepest, darkest rejections and offers readers the tools to heal from the past, take back their power, and walk in strength, victory, and love into their future and she's sharing more about it and this idea with us in today's episode! Show notes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/138 BTB on Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast

Ever wanted to dive into the enneagram and understand what your type may say about your relationship with God? How does the Enneagram fit in when it comes to advancing one’s walk with God? This episode is just that! Expert of the Enneagram, Jackie Brewster, and author, Eve Annunziato, joined together to answer this question in their devotional, Hearing God Speak: A 52-Week Interactive Enneagram Devotional. Today's guests combine the Enneagram with biblical truth in order to help readers better understand themselves and other people while guiding them toward a deeper relationship with God. Shownotes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/137 BTB on Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast

Do you want to know why I love this podcast and you guys and this whole community?! It’s because we’re about real authentic connection. And I know “connection” is such a trendy word these days - it’s the word everyone’s using. But for real! How do you feel whenever you stop scrolling on Instagram? How do you feel when you get off the phone with a friend? And what are the differences between those two feelings? Today’s conversation is all about this: connection and sharing our story with today’s guest, Laura Tremaine. Laura wrote a book, “Share Your Stuff I’ll Go First: 10 Questions to Take Your Friendships to the Next Level.” But this book is really part guidebook-part memoir of her own framework for cultivating intimate and authentic connections with others by sharing her stories. Show notes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/136 BTB on Instagram: Instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast Laura on Instagram: instagram.com/laura.tremaine

Did you know that January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month? It's one mission we can all link arms with and fight together! "How," you ask? Today's episode answers this question and more with human trafficking survivor, Rebecca Bender. For nearly six years, Rebecca was trapped in the dark, violent world of sex trafficking. When she escaped her trafficker, she knew she wanted to fight to change the culture and offer hope to survivors. Listen in to hear her story, how she escaped, and the mission she's calling us to join her on to end Human Trafficking for good. Spoiler alert: it's much more simple than what you're thinking. Shownotes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/135 BTB on Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheblisspodcast Rachel on Instagram: instagram.com/rachel.awtrey Rebecca on Instagram: instagram.com/imrebeccabender

I'm so excited to share 10 resources to up your prayer walk, faith journey, and make life fun! From journals to planners, tips for life, playlists, and more! I think you're going to love at least one thing shared! Shownotes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/134