The Alli Worthington Show

Melanie Shankle on fighting for the bright side of life

This quarantine is serious and heavy--but my family is surviving with daily laughter. That's why I'm so thankful that my hilarious and FUN friend Melanie Shankle is on the show today. We recorded last month pre-pandemic, and I’m so happy to have a break to laugh with Melanie today!  We have a great time chatting about extreme hermit crab rescue and rehoming groups, snail mucus for our face, and how she's preparing to be an empty nester. We chat about why (more than ever) we need to continue to look on the bright side and see the best in the world and people.   We also talk about: -What trends will be hot this fall (when we hopefully get to be in public again.) -Her favorite skincare regimen. -And why her dogs are her competition    Favorite quotes: When you look for the good, you’ll find some good.   In this episode I answer this questions: 1. I want to learn more about body language, what can you teach me? (42:02)   Links to great things we discussed: 1. Melanie Shankle 2. On the Bright Side: Stories about Friendship, Love and being true to Yourself 3. Piper and Mable: Two Very Wild but Very Good Dogs 4. All I Need to See 5. The Morning Show 6. My Dear Hamilton 7. Thrive Bright Balance Cleanser 8. The Rise of Skywalker 9. No Longer Slaves    Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/podcast/melanieshankle2

Lisa Whittle on perspective, peace, and Jesus Over Everything.

We can try so hard to simplify our lives, but it never seems to last.  Why do we make things so complicated?  Today, I'm with one of my best friends and co-founder of Called Creatives, Lisa Whittle! We are celebrating the release of her new book Jesus Over Everything and how this really is so much more than just a book. It's so much bigger than cleaning out a closet or streamlining your schedule.  Lisa shares how letting go of our coping mechanisms and surrendering to the seemingly upside-down way of Jesus can bring us the peace we long for--and free us up in a big way. She shares what putting Jesus Over Everything looks like practically and what she learned personally from tackling this bold message.    We also chat about: -The deadly "overs" and how they are stealing our abundant life. -Why Lisa is known for giving away outerwear.  -The tale of two coats--one awesome, one not so much.   Favorite quotes: 1. When we obey, whatever it looks like, whatever weirdness it is, or sounds like to us, something changes inside of us. 2. Jesus over everything is the beauty of Colossians one and Ephesians one. That he is covering us, but he has us. Also if we want our lives to be less complicated, the way that it works is the way that it was set up to work in the beginning of time. 3. Scripture is for our benefit and I think that’s what we forget sometimes. We think it’s a list of to do‘s. It is for us and so there’s a reason why steadiness is the way to go over hype because it is the way our life stays much more simple and certainly more calm.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. How do you know the difference between fear and God telling you no and not yet? (48:16) 2. I’m in the first stages of building my platform, what do I need to focus on most? (54:18) 3. Do you have a mentor and how do you recommend finding one? (1:00:05)   Links to great things we discussed: 1. Lisa Whittle 2. Jesus Over Everything 3. Everything but the Bagel season 4. Neutrogena Hydro Boost 5. Lindsay Letters Calendar 6. Called Creatives 7. I Still Believe 8. Worship for Fierce Faith  Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/podcast/lisawhittle3

Addison Bevere on saints, culture, and the power of unlearning.

What if saints are more than historical figures with halos? What if discovering your identity as one of Christ’s saints could change everything? I never imagined I’d be interviewing the SON of one of my good friends for the podcast but today we are joined by the amazing Addison Bevere- the grown son of John and Lisa and now COO of Messenger International. Addison bucks our definition of the word “Christian” and gives us a much better and Biblical replacement- “Saints”.  We explore why saints are rule breakers and world shakers but also why being a saint is the only true path to “the good life”. Addison taught me so much during this conversation and had me taking vigorous notes. You don’t want to miss this episode!   In this episode we discuss: 1. Saints are more than just halos and stained glass windows. 2. How God is like Sam I am from Green Eggs and Ham 3. The difference between conservation and salvation    Favorite quotes: 1. The term Christian is something that’s become a culture term. It’s lost its sense of meaning. It’s been wrapped in stereotypes and stigmas.  2. There are a lot of people that grew up in “Christianity” who are disillusioned with the faith, who are no longer following Jesus. They’re looking for meaning, looking for purpose, looking for community outside of the context of the church. 3. The gospel is plenty robust for the needs of this world but I think in our attempt to be systemic, we’ve systematically removed the wonder and power of the gospel message. 4. If we look at the New Testament the word christianos, Christians in Greek, is only used three times but the word saints is used over sixty times. 5. So much of this journey in Christ is unlearning. It’s letting go of assumptions of ourselves, about other people, about what is possible. It’s about finding eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to perceive and understand. 6. Saints are people who see the beauty of God’s kingdom. The beauty of his redemptive promises in their everyday lives. 7. We’ve taken this identifier saint and we relegated to a post-mortem distinction. We’ve made it about what has been. We’ve made it about halos on people’s heads and stain glass windows and things that are out of touch with our everyday lives. But the thing about a saint is that saints are profoundly present   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. What is your go-to coping mechanisms when you feel overwhelmed? (37:46) 2. Do your non-Christian family members question what you’re doing with your life and if so how do you answer? (41:49) 3. How do you balance being a wife and mom while a new business? (44:33) Links to great things we discussed: 1. Addison Bevere 2. Saints: Becoming more than Christians 3. Into the Unknown 4. The Mandalorian 5. The Return of the Prodigal Son 6. Sound Machine 7. Parasite 8. God I look to You   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli   www.alliworthington.com/podcast/addisonbevere

Seth Haines on waking up, faith, and sobriety .

What if finding true sobriety is so much more than ditching our substances? In this powerful interview, my friend and brilliant author Seth Haines shares the heart wrenching story behind how he became an alcoholic after receiving his young son's terminal diagnosis, how he ultimately won his battle against addiction, and how he found true wholeness.  Seth also shares the heart behind his newest book Waking Up and how can we truly wake up physically, emotionally, and spiritually to so much more.   In this episode we discuss: 1. The role of pleasure and self-control in our lives, and how they point us to sobriety. 2. The science behind addiction and how it can help us change addictive patterns. 3. Why our smallest vices are still costing us big.   Favorite quotes: 1. The opposite of drunkenness is not just not drinking. The opposite of drunkness, true sobriety, is being awake to the divine love of God and the world around you. 2. I was using a substance to numb the pain. I won’t only say a substance. Social media was something I used, books, binge-watching Netflix. All of these things became addictions. 3. We have the choice and the chance to wake up. We have the choice and the chance to say, I believe we can wake up. I believe we can wake up from despair. I believe we can wake up from the pain. I believe we can wake up to something beautiful. 4. God didn’t just give us pleasure for the fun of it, it's an invitation to do something. 5. Do the work to wake up! Do the next right thing.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. What is your policy on chores in your house with all those boys? (34:18) 2. Why am I afraid to pray out loud? I live in fear of people asking me to pray. (39:1) 3. How can I improve my Instagram engagement? (41:58)   Links to great things we discussed:  1. Seth Haines 2. The Book Of Waking Up 3. The Oh Hellos- Eurus 4. Typhoon- Offerings 5. The Two Popes 6. 1917 7. Atomic Habits 8. Fijifilm X100V Digital Camera      Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/podcast/sethhaines

Valorie Burton on success, expanding our comfort zones, and the power of the right questions

What if the breakthrough you are looking for isn't in having all the right answers--but in asking the right questions?  What is my procrastination telling me? Why am I afraid to succeed? Will you give yourself permission to make a change? Sometimes, sitting in a powerful question is the key to success beyond anything you've ever dreamed. Today, we are with a powerhouse woman who loves raising up other women, and she'll explain how the fear of sending out her resume at the beginning of her career blossomed into a passion to help other women overcome their deepest fears.  Valorie Burton is the author of 13 powerful books (!!!!) and a coach to women all over the globe and she's going to help us ask the right questions to walk in our callings as talented and equipped women!   In this episode we discuss: 1. Why women struggle with perfectionism and the fear of success more than men. 2. What is positive psychology and how it impacts our everyday life. 3. Why women from Christian backgrounds struggle with the idea of success.   Favorite quotes: 1. The job of fear is to put enough doubt in us that we become paralyzed and our job is to say nope that’s not gonna happen. 2. The things that are hard now make it easier for when you reach new levels. 3. The longer I stay out of my comfort zone, the more my comfort zone expands. 4. A growth mindset is what changed me. I remember saying maybe I have not made the right choices before but that's not going to be my story. That’s not how this story is going to end. I’m going to learn what I need to learn and I’m going to unlearn the things I need to unlearn because I'm not doomed. 5. If you don’t think you don’t deserve it, then you won’t move towards it. If you don’t think it can happen, you won’t move forward. This causes procrastination in your life.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. How can I develop a positive mindset? (42:38) 2. What if different denominations believe different things? How do I know what is true? (55:32) 3. How do you market yourself well when you're just starting out in a new endeavor?  (1:01)   Links to great things we discussed: 1. Valorie Burton 2. Life Coaching for Successful Women 3. Old Town Road 4. Fitbit 5. Feel Good by David Burns 6. Passion To Profit 7. Resurrecting   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/podcast/valorieburton

Every parent needs this one! David Kinnaman on resilient faith, navigating digital Babylon, and how to parent in a way that builds faith in your kids.

This may be the most important podcast I've ever aired. In this episode, David Kinnaman president of Barna Group and best selling author shares the results of thousands of hours or research and sheds light on why young people are leaving the church in a mass exodus. You’ll learn why kids are falling away from the faith and how you can parent in a way that builds faith in your kids. He'll also share what young people flourishing the faith have in common and how we can parent in a way that builds a lasting faith in our kids. David shares about interviewing young people and what helped them grow and stay in their faith. He shares the five practices of the younger generation with resilient faith: experiencing Jesus speaking to them, cultural discernment, meaningful relationship, vocational discipleship, and countercultural mission.     In this episode we discuss: 1. Why faith should be an exciting (and even risky) leap for your kids. 2. Why over-simplified faith answers aren't cutting it anymore. 3. Why the American dream may be crushing their faith.   Favorite quotes: 1. It is not a matter of if your kids are going to be exposed to it, it’s a matter of when. We have to be ready and prepared to live by what God says so that we can help our kids. We can’t protect them from everything. So it’s not saying “if this happens” but “when this happens? 2. Young people really want to learn and I think a lot of churches do a disservice by oversimplifying the message of the gospel. 3. We’re doing dial-up ministry in a wifi world.  4. To practice cultural discernment is to live under the authority of scripture. 5. We have a more American vision of what it means to be a young adult than we have a Christian vision of what it means to be a young adult.   In this episode I answer this question: 1. How can I overcome my past pain? (51:19)   Links to great things we discussed: 1. David Kinnaman 2. Faith For Exiles:5 Ways a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon 3. Hillsong: Awake 4. Twenty One Pilots: My Blood  5. Little Women 6. The Tech-Wise Family 7. Dolittle 8. UPPERROOM: All Hail King Jesus    Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/davidkinnaman

Melissa D’Arabian on using our gifts, food, and hospitality

Today's guest is truly a STAR...A Food Network Star! We are with the winner of Season 5, Melissa D'Arabian and whether you are a foodie or not--this is a conversation you don't want to miss!  We talk about how she landed a spot on the reality show by creating the craziest food ever in her hot, Texas garage and how some hard experiences from her childhood set her on a mission to help those on a tight budget.  Melissa is passionate about helping others realize eating well doesn’t have to cost your whole paycheck and how being hospitable can be simple. She also shares a grocery store hack that will change the way you shop forever.   In this episode we discuss: 1. The reason most of us downplay our gifts. 2. How to avoid the performance trap in hospitality. 3. What God says about food. (it’s not what you think!)   Favorite quotes: 1. The magic happens when we take on a servant mentality, that we’re meant to show up and use our gifts to the best of our ability. 2. The news from God on food, in my experience, is one of unity and drawing us closer into Him. 3. My thinking and work about eating best is really about strategy. It’s so much less about that one magic recipe. It’s really about strategy in thinking strategically about my grocery bill.   In this episode, I answer this question- 1. If God forgives me, why do I feel like He hasn’t? (58:16)   Links to great things we discussed: 1. Melissa d’Arabian 2. Tasting Grace 3. Frank Sinatra playlist 4. The Greatest Showman 5. Beetlejuice 6. Getting To Yes 7. Breathe Right Strips 8. SNL Gas Right 9. SNL More Cowbell 10. Just Mercy 11. Right Here  Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/podcast/melissadarabian  

Phil Waldrep on betrayal, forgiveness, and true healing.

I'm with my wonderful friend Phil Waldrep, founder of The Women of Joy and Gridiron Conferences.  Phil shares his personal story of processing through a deep betrayal and what God has taught him over decades about bitterness and forgiveness. Phil is like your favorite, wise uncle who can gently teach us and encourage us at the same time--and I know this conversation is going to leave us forever better.   In this episode we discuss: 1. How to heal from betrayal. 2. How to tell if bitterness is an issue for you. 3. And why his dog is suspicious of him.   Favorite quotes: 1. You may be in the pit right now, but when you overcome feelings of betrayal in a healthy way, your pit can become a palace. 2. Betrayal is like building a wall around your heart. People that have been betrayed, build this wall around their hearts and they decide ‘no one else will hurt me because no one else is getting in.’ 3. You can trust again. You can have joy again. You can have peace again, but you have to process that betrayal that you’ve been feeling. 4. At the root of betrayal is selfishness. That’s the reason why people betray you. They put their desires ahead of your desires.    In this episode I answer these questions: 1. How can I learn to stop yelling at my kids all the time? (41:26) 2. How do I fully lean in and trust God? (52:52) 3. How do you stop fear and doubt when you want to open your own business as a woman? (58:38)   Links to great things we discussed:  1. Phil Waldrep 2. Beyond Betrayal 3. Women of Joy 4. Elvis: American Trilogy 5. Andre Rieu 6. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood 7. American Gospel 8. Traeger Grill    xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/podcast/philwaldrep  

Robin Dance on doubt, overcoming people pleasing, and freedom.

I'm with author and OG Blissdom friend Robin Dance! Robin bares all during our time together--including a season where she considered leaving the church and her faith, the trauma of losing her mom at 9, and how chronic people-pleasing left her feeling like a fake.  Robin's vulnerability and transparency in this episode will help us find the life-lines we need during times of doubt and how to let our questions point us back to God.   In this episode we discuss: 1. Why taking offense often may be a symptom of something bigger. 2. The time she caught the eye of Harry Conninck Jr. 3. How our doubt can bring us back to God.    Favorite quotes: 1. Your doubts could be the very thing He is using to call you back to Him. 2. As a woman of faith, I should be living to please God not anyone else. 3. Where you are today, you will not be here forever. God will use this hard situation and turn it around for your good.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. Can we really learn to stop self-sabotage?  (35:40) 2. How do you find joy in life when God isn't answering your prayers? (41:15) 3. How do you know if you are cut out for business? (48:55)   Links to great things we discussed: 1. Robin Dance 2. For All Who Wander:Why Knowing God Is Better than Knowing It All 3. Everything Is Yours: How Giving God Your Whole Heart Changes Your Whole Life by Kris Camealy 4. Perversion by Urban Decay 5. Maybe by Nichole Nordeman 6. She Used to Be Mine by Sarah Bareilles 7. Knives Out 8. Place of Freedom by Highlands Worship  9. Fierce Faith 10. The Reason for God  Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli    www.alliworthington.com/robyndance

Jennie Allen on getting out of her head, fighting back, and community

I'm joined by Bible teacher, IF:Gathering Founder, and my good friend Jennie Allen. Jennie is going to share about a recent season that rocked her faith, left her full of questions, and doubting her call.  We talk about Jennie's new book "Get Out Of Your Head" and why she decided to start talking back to her midnight fears.  If you've ever wrestled with God and asked "Is this all true?"-- then Jennie's story is going to meet you in a powerful way today and help you boldly take charge of your thought life.   In this episode we discuss: 1. Why she called security on an elderly woman while at a church in her hometown. 2. Why she had to avoid the Avengers movies for a season. 3. The dramatic change she is making to the IF:Gathering this year.   Favorite quotes: 1. The enemy wants to shut down anybody that is following Jesus and he’ll do it in ways that we won’t notice. 2. Paul knew that what we were up against wasn’t just a few flighty thoughts of insecurity, but that we’re up against an enemy that was a spirit and we have to fight him with spiritual weapons. 3. We need people. Why? Because loneliness and isolation are an epidemic and we are connected, but not truly in a relationship sharing what’s really going on with our lives, and when that happens, the devil has us. 4. I do believe that everything can change. I also believe we’re a part of that in our obedience. We take the first step and God comes in and brings freedom.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. How do you know if someone is codependent? (52:54) 2. How does God talk to you? (57:25) 3. How do you hustle to grow towards your dreams and goals without striving? (1:05:19 )   Links to great things we discussed: 1. Jennie Allen 2. Get Out Of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts 3. Humility 4. The Pursuit of God 5. Systematic Theology 6. Drybar Dry Shampoo 7. Buxom Lip gloss 8. 1917 9. Bryan and Katie Torwalt- Remember  Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli  www.alliworthington.com/podcast/jennieallen2