The Alli Worthington Show

The magic of awe and wonder with Harris III

Have you lost your childlike imagination? Do you still find wonder in the world or are you more cynical than ever? My guest today is the incredible illusionist, storyteller, and author Harris III! Harris and I have a fascinating conversation today about the concept of wonder and why awe is vital for thriving in life. Harris shares how to reawaken child-like wonder, how awe impacts our physical and mental health in a powerful way, and why it's important to find magic in the mundane.   We also chat about: -How gratitude can reawaken the magic in our life -The "special" lie and why we need to debunk it -And how to find our greatest purpose out of our deepest pain   Favorite quotes: What I understand of wonder is that it's contagious. Their wonder and response to that first magic trick reawakened my wonder, turned on the wonder switch and gave me permission to start dreaming of this whole new possible life   Wonder is this really essential process. It’s this state that we can get back to that gives us permission to believe.   The presence of awe and wonder can boost the production of cytokines in your body. It can boost your immune system, it can decrease stress.   There’s magic in the mundane. There’s beauty right in front of our faces, we just can’t see it.   You can live an extraordinary life, just like anyone else you admire, if you understand the fact that we are all special. Contained within us all is this magic and the ability to do extraordinary things.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. Do you ever feel extra pressure to not feel busy or worried or unhappy because you write books on how to overcome it? How do you balance what you teach? (48:51)   2. How can I help my kids develop their own faith and not just depend on my faith? (51:48)   3. How do you know when it's the right time to quit your job and go all in on running your own business? (55:41)   Great things we discussed:   1. www.harrisiii.com 2. The Wonder Switch  3. STORY Gatherings 4. Forrest Gump Soundtrack 5. Atomic Habits 6. Ecamm 7. Honest Thief 8. Highest Praise 9. Standing Strong   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli  www.alliworthington.com/harris-iii

Andy Stanley on Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets

Today I'm so excited to announce that my DREAM GUEST is joining us. Some women may want Beyonce on their show- but move over Queen B- because this gal wants Andy Stanley on her podcast! You may know Andy from his book, podcasts, and as the pastor of Northpoint Church in Georgia. His work has shaped my life, ministry, and walk with God in a profound way. And even though this is my first time to interview Andy, I claim that he's been on my "personal board of directors" for years! In this episode- Andy is going to share about his new book Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets. We chat about what it looks like to make wise decisions and the massive impact it can have on your life and leadership in the long run. He gives us a framework for how to make wise decisions and some guardrails for how to avoid the bad ones.   He also shares: -The power of asking the right questions when it comes to a decision -How decision-making can shape your life story in a beautiful way -How to develop strength and maturity as a decision maker   Favorite quotes: We all ask questions. If we are willing to embrace some more penetrating questions. And get in the habit of asking those every time we make even a medium sized decision, we're just going to make better decisions. The proof that there's a relationship between good decisions and good questions is this: when people think about their worst decision, whether it's a financial decision, business decision, or a relationship decision. On the other side of a bad decision, we always think or even say: I should have asked more questions. Which is true. Because if we ask the right questions on the front end, we generally have fewer regrets on the back end.   To lead ourselves well we have to be honest with ourselves.    The decisions you're making right now are part of the story that you're going to tell. So write a good story.   Our greatest regrets are the regrets where we stepped over the moral line, the ethical line, the legal line. Our greatest regrets are always preceded by a series of unwise decisions.   When we live within the realm of wisdom, we stay away from the edge of disaster.   In this episode I answer these questions: Could you give me one tip that would make me a better communicator? (37:46)  What's the difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus? (39:14) How do you know how much to charge for your services? (44:49)   Great things we discussed:  1. Andy Stanley2. Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets 3.The Trial of the Chicago 7 4. Holy, Holy, Holy 5. Standing Strong  Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli  www.alliworthington.com/andy-stanley/

How knowing yourself well protects you and your family with Rachel Cruze

Anyone ready to talk about one of the subjects you are never supposed to talk about?!? Don't worry- it's not politics. Today, we are diving into MONEY with the one and only Rachel Cruze. I love this episode because Rachel is both fun and practical- and her interesting perspective on how your personality affects your spending is truly a game changer. We dive into so many topics in her new book Know Yourself, Know Your Money. She shares why it's important to know how your emotions impact your interactions with money, how your childhood created "money classrooms” whether you recognized it or not, and how to talk to your own kids about financial literacy.   We also chat about: How to find contentment so we don't make money an idol The 7 different money personalities and the 6 money fears (and why fear is a terrible financial advisor) How to equip yourself with the self-awareness you need to meet your financial goals   Favorite quotes: Rule number one: you can change your money situation. You can start making choices on the practical side to get yourself in control.    A lot of these fears drive our money decisions and what motivates us with money. So pinpointing it for yourself is really important. And if you're married, for your spouse. What is their thing that they’re fearful of when it comes to money? Know that. Because once you identify it you can talk about it.   The first thing you have to do in order to save is have a plan.  I think by naming and understanding how you grew up, you realize the habits you formed.    In this episode I answer these questions: 1. What is your parenting advice when it comes to disciplining your kids?   (43:01) 2. Is God really listening when I talk to him? (46:11) 3. An entrepreneur once said that to be successful, the business always has to come first and that I can’t really have a life or friends outside of it. Is that really what running a business is like? (48:41)   Great things we discussed:  1. Rachel Cruze  2. Know Yourself, Know Your Money 3. Goodness of God Bethel  4. Real Housewives 5. Discerning The Voice of God 6. Voice of the Heart 7. The Turn of the Key 8. The Guest List  9. Electric Fly Swatter   10. Coco 11. Promises  12. Standing Strong   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/rachel-cruze

Lisa Bevere on mentors, mom guilt, and what she would say to her younger self

The one and only Lisa Bevere.  Lisa brings the fire and preaches the "bark off a tree" as I say in this episode, as she shares about her new book Godmothers. Lisa shares what a Godmother really is (spoiler alert: it's not a magical fairy or mafia mother figure!) and why we all need spiritually mature women intentionally speaking into our lives.  We also tackle mom guilt, how to start actually enjoying our lives instead of performing for others, and why it takes courage for older women to approach mentoring relationships.   We also talk about: -How to nurture your dream in the early stages -The amazing advice another mom gave her early on  -Why women need each other more than ever in 2020   Favorite quotes: A godmother is a mother who is always going to point you towards godliness. This means she’s going to ask you the questions you don’t want to answer and tell you the things you don’t necessarily want to hear.    A godmother is someone who will be by your side, not necessarily on it because you could be wrong. But she will be by your side pointing you to growth and blessing what is in your life from your own hard lessons.    I have the right to write my life. I have the right to move forward with strength just like everybody else does. God is inviting us to write our lives well. Which means we need to do it with intent and an awareness that we have a story behind us and a story in front of us.   You are not allowed to let the enemy’s narrative be the last page of your story.    Sometimes God says step outside so that something inside of you can be enlarged. We need to be people who understand that our God turned hopelessness into a victory.   Links to great things we discussed:  1. Lisa Bevere Instagram2. Godmothers 3. Nothing Else on Spotify4. Radioactive 5. The Idiot6. Let The Light In  7. Standing Strong   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli  www.alliworthington.com/lisa-bevere-3

Jamie Ivey on finding contentment where you are

If you love podcasts, you'll LOVE our guest this week- the podcasting queen, Jamie Ivey! Jamie and I released our new books the same week and we are so passionate about the messages God gave us for 2020.  I loved this conversation with my friend about her new book You Be You! We chat about how to find your unique voice, find joy and contentment in the life right before you, and why we don't need to shy away from success- but rather redefine it. We also chat about: Where she got the courage to try a radio competition 10 years ago, that changed everything How to give up the idea that your life needs to look like others to be fulfilling The amazing, applicable to all advice she'd give her 20-year-old self  Favorite quotes: When I’m faithful to do what God has asked me to do, that faithfulness will actually equal success. Great things we discussed:  1. jamieivey.com2. You Be You  3. Maverick City Music  4. Blackish5. The Great Alone 6. White Awake  7. Manime 8. The Nightingale   9. Thrive Eye Brightener  10. Standing Strong Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli www.alliworthington.com/jamie-ivey

Remember Who You Are from Standing Strong Chapter 3

Standing Strong is here! And I'm so grateful you can finally have this message in your hands and hearts.   Today, as a gift to you- I'm reading Chapter 3 on the podcast!   In this chapter, we remember our forgotten identities as women and the lies that attack them. We also explore how God designed women to create, complement, and complete. And, we'll walk together to rediscover our strength and why we ALL are truly Wonder Women.   This chapter is for you if: -You aren't sure if you have the strength it takes to keep going or walk into a new season -Struggling to pinpoint your purpose and mission as a woman -and you need to remember the source of your strength   xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/standingstrong

Bianca Olthoff + Alli Worthington on friendship, confidence, and owning our gifts

It's book launch week for Standing Strong and in the middle of my vulnerability hangover- there's not another soul I'd rather take over the podcast than my dazzling friend, Bianca Olthoff. This book was dedicated to three of my close friends- and Bianca is one of them. She not only helped me with the writing process of this book- she helped me live it.  We talk about why you need friends who will be honest and call you on the carpet, how to get confirmation when you know God is speaking, what it means to be a confident woman of God, and why so many women are holding back- even when they believe they were made for something great.  Today you will get a little bit of sass, a little bit of funny, and a whole lot of honesty.    We also chat about: -Who resists change and transition the most -Why Bianca called me "basic"  -My shocking skincare secret and Bianca's guilty pleasure TV show   Favorite quotes: 1. I think for too long Christian women have felt like we’re just suffering through life and we’re just surviving. We forget that God is a God who is intimately involved in our lives, who wants to partner with us in our lives, and has great plans for every woman 2. Our purpose is to decide if Jesus or not, and our calling is different in every season of our life.  3. I think that for so many women we thought that we missed the bus on our purpose. It’s too late for us, or we don’t know what God has for us, instead of realizing that God has something new for us all the time. 4. I hope that this book is a kick in the pants to women to realize God has great things for you.   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli  www.alliworthington.com

How to Partner with God with Lisa Whittle interviewing me

It's another takeover! And today, I'm with my friend, fellow writer/speaker, and Called Creatives Co-founder Lisa Whittle. We are tackling why most women say they don't feel strong, what it means to weed through all the competing voices in your life, and how to move forward when you want to hold back. We also talk about the huge, devastating decision that I had to make last fall- and whether or not I regret it. Lisa is such a truth-teller and we bring the heat in this conversation. If you feel like you're ready to Stand Strong, but don't know how to get out of your own way- this one's for you. We chat about: 1. How self-doubt hinders us from moving forward 2. The mind shift of partnering with God 3. The different type of people we need in our lives   Favorite quotes: 1. When we begin to take God seriously, we will take ourselves seriously.2. We need to think about God partnering with us in our daily activities. If he's not going to fail us and he's not going to abandon us let's shift that and say he's going to strengthen us. He's going to give us everything we need. We don't have to feel strong, we don't have to feel confident, we don't have to feel like we know what we're doing everyday. but if we lean into him and let him give us that little boost to get going, and wisdom to know what to do, we will have the strength to put one foot in front of the other.  3. The only way we're going to get strong is to make sure that we get out of our own way. Because yes, adversity holds us back, but I think so many times self-doubt holds women back and we just don't start moving forward and do what God wants us to do.4. We have this idea that yes, God will partner with pastors, or God will partner with people working in a non-profit on the other side of the world feeding hungry children but God works with all of us, and all of our work matters. 5. When we think about whatever we're doing in our life, however, we're living, whatever the work is that God put in hand at that moment that day it is a partnership with him because everything we do that makes this world a better place that helps people is fulfilling his purpose for them. Great things we discussed:  1. Called Creatives  2. Called Creatives Book Deal Training 3. Tenet 4. American Dirt  5. Standing Strong   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli  www.alliworthington.com

Jo Saxton + Alli Worthington on how to stand strong in every season

Today- I'm handing my mic over! Don't worry- it's in the best hands because my dear friend and my personal board of directors Jo Saxton is taking over the show today to interview ME about Standing Strong. She didn't pull any punches. I may have cried. And we totally "went there" on all the topics. I share my story of overcoming bankruptcy and homelessness, starting a business in a McDonald's play place with a broken keyboard while nursing a baby, and why I almost sold my wedding ring. We also talk about positive toxicity, curated vulnerability, and how to tell if a dream is really from God. If you are curious about my new book and the heart behind Standing Strong- this is a conversation you don't want to miss.  Favorite quotes: 1. Something happens when we go through hard times and when we go through difficulties. Sometimes we will lean into the Lord but sometimes there’s something inside of us that feels a little bit betrayed and let down by him and we pull away from him.  2. Let’s talk about real life. Let’s not just share cute little stories that still make us look good at the same time. Let's talk about how things are hard. Let’s talk about how we go through seasons that are soul-sucking. 3. We can’t help other people if we are not honest about what we’re going through.  4. I think to some degree it is a process of wrestling with our own disappointment and being honest with God about how we feel and everyday saying, “I don’t understand what you’re doing. I don’t understand what the time frame is, but I trust you. I trust that you know better than I know and you have good things for us in the future,” and sometimes that’s all I have to hold onto. 5. Sometimes we think partnering with God we’re going to be more confident. We’re going to have all the answers. I think sometimes God asks us to partner with him and we need to just keep swinging that hammer even when it doesn’t make sense. Great things we discussed:  1. The Personal History of David Copperfield  2. Standing Strong  Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli www.alliworthington.com/podcast

Chrystal Hurst on the power of prayer

Intentionality. Wisdom. Strength. These are the words that come to mind when I think about Chrystal Evans Hurst! She is joining us on the podcast today and pouring out so much wisdom- you don't want to miss it! We cover so many important topics like finding mentors and friends that call us to the next level, what she's learning during COVID-19,  and how to actually develop a powerful prayer life.  Chrystal also shares her powerful testimony of being a pastor's daughter, who became a single mom at 19. There are so many powerful moments here! We also chat about: How stuffing her emotions impacted her in the long run Why most people don't pray and how to overcome Her experience with homeschooling before we all started it (she's a seasoned pro!) Favorite quotes: 1. I think we should stand up and say, “Listen, I need to learn something. Who can teach me?” and those who can teach sometimes need to stand up and say, “Hey I’ve got something to share, who wants to learn?” 2. I think that life becomes so much more well-lived when we take a risk and love people and we're authentic and transparent and make it a safe place for them to do the same. 3. I believe that when you recognize the power that you have not only as a spiritual being, not only as a woman, but as a believer, where you now have a true divine connection to God through the power of the Holy Spirit- that he's informing your spiritual being, and informing you intuition. It just takes this knowledge to a whole other level. 4. I'm reminded of this power we have of being connected: we may not always know what, we may not always know when, and we may not always know exactly what the thing is- but that God is always speaking. 5. Once we take the expectation off of prayer. Once we make room for it. Once we decide to release and surrender to God instead of trying to do everything ourselves, then we can free ourselves up to pray in a non-prescribed way, but in the way that works for us so that we're doing it as often as we can to leave room for God to talk to us. In this episode, I answer a business question-  I am multi-passionate in my pursuits. Can I launch my brand and focus on multiple things at work once?  (49:29) Great things we discussed: 1. Chrystal Hurst 2. The 28 Day Prayer Journal 3. The Blessing  4. This Is Us 5. Battlefield Of The Mind 6. Aqua Notes  7. Inception  8. Rattle  9. Standing Strong  Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli  www.alliworthington.com