The Alli Worthington Show

Mandy Arioto on learning to have more fun, making the audacious asks, and loving the stage you are in

I’m with the wonderful Mandy Arioto, the CEO of MOPS International. Mandy shares about her latest book Have More Fun and the journey that took her from an achievement driven life to a life of richness and enjoyment. Mandy also shares why she painted a soldier pink and why we should muster up one audacious "ask" a week.     In this episode we discuss: 1. Why we all need to learn to have more fun 2. The difference between fake fun and real fun 3. A key to learning to have more fun as a mom     Favorite quotes: 1. Isn’t that kinda how our lives work? It’s like taking that next step, saying yes and having no clue where that will take us but it will always turn out in remarkable ways. 2. What I recognize over the course of choosing to have more fun is that one of the most important things I can do as a parent is to enjoy my kids and to really embrace all the nuances in any given season they are in. 3. A really essential part of me being a more fun mom was loving whatever stage we were in. 4. When we’re not afraid to ask, door open for us that never would have before. 5. I think it’s really important to differentiate between fake fun and real fun because real fun restores our body, rejuvenates our soul and fake fun really depletes our reserves. 6. We really need to differentiate for ourselves and determine what do we enjoy.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. I have terrible social anxiety. Can you help me feel more confident around others?  (38:49) 2. If someone wanted to start reading the bible for personal growth, where would you have them start? (46:00) 3. How do I balance the work I need to do now with my creative dreams for future projects? (48:28)   Links to great things we discussed 1. Mandy Arioto 2. Have More Fun 3. Pink- Walk Me Home 4. Younger 5. Chris Voss- Never Split The Difference 6. Free Fierce Faith video study 7. Personal Growth Reading Plan 8. Shazam! 9. Blissdom Conference blissdomconference.com 10.Fierce Faith playlist.   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli   http://www.alliworthington.com/podcast/mandyarioto

Melissa Radke on purpose, family, career, and hilarity

I’m with the hysterical Melissa Radke today and she shares her powerful story from depression to freedom and tragedy to purpose. She also shares how God used her unfulfilled career ambitions to give her a platform that offers hope to millions. We also cover important topics like glitter, murder, and bra sizes. This is definitely one of the funniest episodes yet and Melissa will leave you in stitches.     In this episode we discuss: 1. Her story of overcoming depression 2. How tragedy can turn to purpose 3. How God uses our unfulfilled career ambition     Favorite quotes: 1. I decided that if I was going to live, I was going to figure out why and what I had been put on this earth to do and who I was because there had to be more than this. There just had to be. Surely I wasn’t a wasted life. Surely he didn’t create me to put me on earth so I can have heartbreak and die. Surely there was more. I started to search. I started to search who I was and what I was meant to do and that changed my life forever. 2. My purpose isn’t to be popular. My purpose is to be influential. I wanna be a person of influence and I wanna help people find who they are. 3. Anytime we say ‘Here I am Lord, send me,’ in whatever way that looks, he freaking takes us up on it so be careful.    In this episode I answer these questions: 1. Should I let my son play with toy guns? My husband says yes, I’m not so sure. (1:05:23) 2. Is it wrong for Christians to watch rated R movies? (1:08:10) 3. What’s a favorite social media tip you like to give your business clients? (1:11:14)   Links to great things we discussed: Melissa’s course is now closed to the public but she is leaving it open just for us this week!  Go to www.melissaradke.com/alli to check it out!! 1. Melissa Radke , Facebook , Instagram 2. Eat Cake. Be Brave 3. The Belonging Co - You’re Not Finished Yet 4. The Backstreet Boys - Shape of My Heart 5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine 6. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann 7. The Comfy 8. Dumbo 9. Jeremy Riddle - It Is Well   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli   http://www.alliworthington.com/podcast/melissaradke  

Scott Sauls on calling, irresistible faith, and building grace-filled communities

  In this episode, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian in Nashville, TN, Scott Sauls shares about his latest book Irresistible Faith. Scott shares how intimacy with Christ allows us to imitate Christ and gives insights into life-giving and grace-filled communities. He also shares how our faith can be a natural part of our relationships and conversations.   In this episode we discuss: 1. The significance of our calling 2. How to live out our irresistible faith 3. The importance of our local church   Favorite quotes: 1. Anyone and everyone can get in on the mission of God. 2. Being a life-giving representation or aroma of Christ in the world is about seizing the moments we’ve been given and the opportunity we’ve been given, the influence we’ve been given whether it’s with 10,000 people or 10 people or one. 3. Anyone who is restoring a broken person, broken place, a broken thing in any capacity is doing the work of God just as much as a pastor is doing the work of God. 4. I think we can be encouraged that God isn’t calling us to be awesome. We don’t have to get all of our act together before we can make a difference in the world. 5. Our primary call is to be loved and forgiven. And from there to go out and serve as best we can, but to realize that when we fall on our face we been given the grace to get back up and start walking again. 6. Do everything you can to get close to Christ to know him personally because that’s where your fuel, that’s where your energy, that’s where your power is going to come from to make a difference.   7. Here’s the thing about the local church, it enables you to participate in things you can’t imagine doing on your own.      In this episode I answer these questions: 1. How can I motivate myself to make changes in my life? (36:33) 2. Did God create evil if he created everything? (44:14) 3. How do you keep your email from getting overwhelming? (45:49)   Links to great things we discussed: 1. Scott Sauls 2. Irresistible Faith 3. Andrew Petterson- Is He Worthy? 4. Educated by Tara Westover 5. John Newton 6. Palomino Blackwing Pencils 7. A Few Good Men 8. UPPERROOM Surrounded 9. Gmail Tips   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli

Emily P. Freeman on writing, creativity, and doing the next right thing

I’m with the always wonderful Emily P. Freeman talking about how to do the next right thing, writing, and why we need to wear better pants. In this episode, Emily shares a fresh perspective on hard decision making and the underlying hope and power that can be found in the process. She also shares her extensive experience as a writer and entrepreneur and what her creative process looks like when she’s exploring a new book idea.  In this episode we discuss: 1. What it means to be a “soul minimalist” and how to make space for things that really matter...and how to let go 2. How our own inner critic can hold us back and why we should refuse to give our critic words 3. Writers are Entrepreneurs.  Emily discusses writing for yourself verses writing for readers…and why all authors need to think like entrepreneurs.   Favorite quotes: 1. Frustration is actually a fantastic catalyst for creativity. 2. Do we need more books in the world? Do we need more great speakers? I don’t know, maybe. But I think what we need more than that is people that have come alive. So, if writing that book makes you come alive, than we absolutely need it in the world because that is what we are missing. You. 3. I think we live life so much with some of those narratives that happen beneath the surface and we don’t take the time to recognize where they are coming from or whether or not they’re true. 4. The only voice the critic has in our life right now is our own voice, whether that’s the critic that lives in our head that came as a result of our imagination, or if its a critical voice from our childhood or an actual human person in the world but the only power they have now is the power that we give them. But what if we didn’t give them words? How would it change our decision making? 5. Sometimes you have this vivid imagination of what you know the art can be and the fear is what if I can’t get to it. If I can’t find the pathway to get to the story I know this wants to be and that’s where really faith comes in, trusting the process, knowing you are going to have to go through the dark underbelly of the mess to get there. 6. Our bodies have something to tell us and our emotions have something to tell us and if we don’t let them speak, they will speak out of turn.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. With your specialized diet, how do you handle family meals? (43:08) 2. What are your favorite Christian podcasts? (45:33) 3. Is Blissdom just for business women? I’m an aspiring author and speaker, would it be right for me? (47:56)   Links to great things we discussed 1. Emily Freeman 2. The Next Right Thing 3. The Wailin’ Jennys- Old Churchyard 4. Survivor 5. Anne of Green Gables 6. Blissdom Conference   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli   http://www.alliworthington.com/podcast/emilyfreeman

Kyle Idleman on courage, confidence, and not giving up.

I’m with Kyle Idlemann discussing the secret to courage, how to live confidently, and why making the decision to not give up is so crucial for us all.   I’m also answering your questions about how I handle family struggles and personal information in my books, moral failure in leadership (yikes), and if you really need systems in your business.     In this episode we discuss: 1. The need for courage 2. The confidence we can have in the midst of trials 3. What weighs us down and how to get through it 4. How to overcome the lies that cause us to quit Favorite quotes: 1. There’s a difference between putting your arm around somebody and saying to them “I’m so sorry for what you are going through,” and saying to somebody “Get back out there, this is not the time to give up. This isn’t the time to quit.”   2. We want comfort but what we really need is courage.   3. Faith is this idea of sticking with the puzzle even when we don’t understand why the pieces come together.   4. As a follower of Jesus, I know who does have what it takes. I know who my confidence can be in. Instead of focusing on what I don’t have, we focus on what He offers.   5. Perseverance leads to happiness.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. How do you deal with writing about family issues and struggles in your books? (39:16) 2. If a Christian commits a sexual sin, is this forgivable? If so, why are ministers who have moral failure asked to step down? (46:12) 3. I’m a creative entrepreneur and I hate systems. So far it hasn’t hurt my growth. Do I have to build systems or can I stay successful without them? (53:15)   Links to great things we discussed: 1. Blissdom Conference 2. Kyle Idleman 3. Jimmy Needham: Clear the Stage 4. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee 5. Bo’s Cafe 6. AirPods 7. Basecamp 2 8. Calendly 9. Freshbooks or Quickbooks 10. Captain Marvel 11. Bethel- Goodness of God Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli  

Whitney Capps on raising sons, transformation, and true power

I’m with the lovely Whitney Capps today talking about raising sons, true transformation, and what it feels like to be sick of me In this episode we discuss: 1. The joys of being a boy mom 2. How to avoid the transparency trap 3. Why women have a tough time celebrating their own accomplishments Favorite quotes: 1. We know the things to do but we don’t always know how to be the person that we’re supposed to be. I can look really busy but it’s masking the fact the I am not listening and letting the Holy Spirit work inside of me. 2. I think it’s a really subtle lie that the enemy can kind of feed us where if we confess to one another, kind of the work is done, we’re off the hook, you know who I am. But it really cuts the legs out from under the gospel which isn’t just about transparency, it’s really about transformation. 3. One of the reasons we haven’t been growing in Christlikeness is because we resist the very circumstances that he often uses to change us. 4. Sometimes we get focused on the things that God is having us do when the things are really a metaphor for what he is doing internally. 5. Transparency can’t be just talking about the bad and what’s broken. It also has to be giving God glory for what the gospel does in our life. In this episode I answer these questions:1.  What would you say to your younger engaged self about wedding and marriage preparation? (35:54)2.  Do our pets go to heaven? (43:11)3. What’s the best business advice anyone ever gave you? (46:01)Links to great things we discussed:1. Whitney Capps2. Sick of Me: From Transparency to Transformation3. Hamilton Soundtrack4. Victoria5. Tony Reinke- 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You6. Zum Mist7. Free Solo8. Bethel- Victory Is Yours9. Blissdom ConferenceHope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)And a big thank you to Adrienne and Lindsay for the wonderful help with show notes!xo,Alli http://www.alliworthington.com/podcast/whitneycapps  

Christie Purifoy on placemaking, beauty, and the art of tending our lives

I’m with the delightful Christie Purifoy talking about the art of tending our lives. Because God is a placemaker placing us in our lives, and he calls us to tend where we are. This is such a fun conversation and helped me see my own life with new eyes. In this episode we discuss: 1. Our call to place making where we are planted 2. Seeing creation with new eyes 3. The art of tending in our lives Favorite quotes: 1. When we guard our hearts too much, we also miss out on too much. We only have one life and the years are ticking by and so wherever we are, I think there's something there for us that is worth loving. 2. It’s not just about shaping the places where we live and loving the place we live. It’s also about recognizing all the places shapes us and the ways those places nourish us. 3. I really think that our God is a placemaker God. He not only created this world for us but he carved out special places in it like the garden of Eden or the promise land.   4. When we’re tending our special places, we are living out our role as image bearer really of this placemaking God.   5. The things that we most fear are really not worth fearing because God will be there and it won’t be as bad as we think like his comfort will be that real.       In this episode I answer these questions: 1. I recently parted ways with my best friend of 10 years. How do I grieve someone well who isn’t actually dead? (29:41) 2. If a Christian commits suicide will they still go to heaven? (33:14) 3. How can I find and connect with a literary agent for a long-term relationship? (34:43)     Links to great things we discussed: 1. Christie Purify; Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Peace 2. Son of laughter- The Meal We Could Not Make 3. Diane Setterfield- Once Upon A River 4. Moty Don’s French Gardens 5. Harney & Sons Paris Tea 6. Unbroken (2014) ; Unbroken the book 7. Blissdom Conference 8. Free Coaching Application   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli   http://www.alliworthington.com/podcast/christiepurifoy    

Allie Casazza on thriving in parenting, business, and living life on her own terms

I’m with the wonderful Allie Casazza today and we have such a great show for you! We talk about parenting, motherhood, overcoming depression, and starting our businesses from scratch. Allie is joining us at Blissdom this year teaching a workshop on how to build your brand and your business with a podcast and I’m so excited for you to hear from her today!     In this episode we discuss: 1. Minimalism for real people 2. Thriving in Motherhood 3. Starting a successful business with a Google search bar     Favorite quotes: 1. I began to really struggle with being a mom and being a woman with not working because I felt guilty. And honestly I felt kind of shamed in my community of Christians that  I was surrounded by, and traditional gender roles so I kind of stuffed it down. 2. Minimalism needs to be relative for who you are and what you love. 3. I remember struggling from a really young age, maybe even before jr high, with the desire that I had to create and do something. 4. I hit my limit and I just said I’m done and I’m gonna follow this thing that I feel building in me and I really felt like it's from the Lord and I’m gonna go for it. 5. I don’t buy the whole “Good Christians are broke.” game.   In this episode I answer these questions: 1. How do you work from home and stay productive? (39:38) 2. Did Jesus have siblings? (45:06) 3. What’s been the most difficult part of starting a podcast and are you glad you did it? (46:05) Links to great things we discussed: 1. Allie Casazza , The Purpose Show2. Sia- Unstoppable3. The Office4. Mike Michalowicz-Profit First5. Donald Miller- Blue Like Jazz; A Million Miles in a Thousand Years6. Rocky IV7. Creed 28. Passion- Build My Life9. Blissdom.com Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli PS- Apply now for a FREE coaching call with me here!   http://www.alliworthington.com/podcast/alliecasazza  

Bianca Olthoff on struggle, rising strong, and the power of taking care of ourselves

  I’m with Bianca Olthoff on struggle, rising strong, and the power of taking care of ourselves In this episode we discuss: 1. How to move forward and find joy in a hard season of life. 2. The surprising effect stress has on our bodies. 3. How we can bring our best and God will fill in the gaps.       Favorite quotes: 1. I knew I was doing what God wanted me to do, I just didn’t know the cost. 2. Even in the moments when things are complete or whole, there will be trial and tribulation. 3. I have to give myself grace upon grace upon grace because that’s what God gives me. 4. It’s not until you loved through serious trauma that you realize really God is all you need because in this season God is all you have and still finding joy. 5. Unless you live it, you don’t know it, and I felt like God had to let me live through it to know it.       In this episode I answer these questions: 1. What products do you use on your hair? I’m always looking for products to keep the frizz away. (44:25) 2. Once we’re saved, do works really matter? (49:18) 3. What’s the #1 mistake people make when starting something new? (53:27)       Links to great things we discussed: 1. BiancaOlthoff.com 2. Blissdom 2019 3. Biana’s Listening To: Darris Sneed, Influence Church Bethel, Synesthesia 4. Bianca’s Watching: Chicago PD 5. Bianca’s Reading: Vixens of the Bible, Brene Brown - Dare to Lead, Michelle Obama - The Coming 6 Kora Organics Face Oil 7. The Father’s House 8. Gainful Growth 9. Lego Movie 2 10. Christy Nockles - In Every Way 11. Worship for Fierce Faith Playlist 12. Alli’s hair products TIGI curl creme (I said Bedhead but it’s actually this one. Whoops!) Devacurl Be Leave In Frizzease mouse Bedhead Shine hairspray     Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli  http://www.alliworthington.com/podcast/biancaolthoff  

Getting published, life as an author, and thoughts on marriage with Karen Ehman

I’m with the lovely Karen Ehman today talking about all things writing, family, and marriage. Karen has written just shy of a million books and if you are someone who wants to get published someday- this episode is for you!   In this episode we discuss: The inside scoop on the publishing world Why we aren’t writing parenting books any time soon How Social Media can harm our marriages     Favorite quotes: I always like to tell people that are thinking about writing and dreaming about writing to not wait to get published. And I don’t mean go get self-published, I mean just write. We’ve all got something we struggle with and something we’re good at and it’s different for everyone. We’ve looked at other people as we’ve stared at our screens, as we tapped and scrolled, and we start to compare our reality in our marriage to the perception that’s given off by seeing social media posts.     In this episode I answer these questions: How do you cope with the limitations of motherhood? (49:05) Can you lose your salvation? (56:54) What are the best groups for mature and experienced leaders and entrepreneurs? (1:00:16)   Links to great things we discussed: Karen Ehman Keep Showing Up: How to Stay Crazy in Love When Your Love Drives You Crazy From Now On The Greatest Showman Loopy Case Green Book Elevation Worship- There is a Cloud Episode #17 with Jenni Catron Women in Leadership Coaching Program BlissdomConference.com Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)   xo, Alli   http://www.alliworthington.com/podcast/karenehman