Spoken Freely Podcast

Episode 40 - Maureen Cook

Small black and white checkered flags lined our front walk. Bouquets of wildflowers picked from the field across the street brightened our tables. The smokey smell of brisket and pork hung in the air. The loud buzz of race cars could be heard in every conversation. And it was LIFE-GIVING. Our first party in I don’t know how long? To open our home to friends, neighbors, and strangers was exactly what my soul needed. I sure have missed connecting with folks during this last year. I hadn’t even recorded an episode in six months. So when I sat down with today’s guest, my cup was full. And I loved everything about it. Maureen Cook is someone I met two years ago and I instantly felt connected to her story. With the recent launch of her family’s campaign, Dave Gives Back, Maureen was ready to begin sharing her story publicly. Today, Maureen talks about her husband, Dave, an accomplished mountain climber who’s zest for life and adventure impacted everyone around him. When tragedy struck their family, Maureen had to navigate leading their three children through incredible loss as well as picking up the reins of Dave’s new company. Through their experience, Maureen and her children saw the selfless efforts of search and rescue volunteers that place themselves in dangerous situations to help those in need. They created Dave GIves Back to raise funds and awareness for these volunteers and mountain safety education. Maureen lovingly shares the story of Dave’s life. I have no doubt you will be blessed by this conversation.

Episode 39 - Jen Ludlow

December. Did you think we’d make it? Many would say this has been the world’s longest year. The hardest year. The most frustrating year. The wackiest year. And while we may agree on some of these descriptions, I hope we can all find some good that came from this year. We slowed down. Albeit it was a forced slow down, but in our house we noticed one another. We created together, adventured together, found new ways to do church, school, work, birthday celebrations and even doctor’s visits. As hard as it’s been to be separated from family for so long, we formed a family with neighbors that encouraged one another, met each other’s needs, traded canned goods and shared toilet paper. We’ve celebrated an entire year’s worth of holidays with those we live right next to. Today’s guest has formed a family with those around her for the last several years. Jen Ludlow is an old friend that has lived the expat life in a few different countries. Her family has experienced rich cultures and traditions and formed community with folks very far from home. Jen shares the hard parts of being alone and feeling different in unfamiliar surroundings and reveals the extraordinary blessings God had planned for her family. I pray this episode encourages you to look at the challenges you’ve faced this year and recognize the good work God has done in ways you least expected.

Episode 38 - Sharron Davis

Fall is my favorite season. Growing up in Houston, we seldom had cool days and leaves never turned the amazing colors I’d see in magazines. Our “pumpkin patches” consisted of dirt fields where trucks would offload pumpkins grown in other parts of the country. God gave other places the right soil and climate to generate all the beauty of fall-but I loved it anyway. Now that I’m back in Texas again, it doesn't feel right to decorate for the season until it cools down a bit. My sweaters and boots are taunting me in my closet. But this weekend, my girls and I couldn’t wait any longer. We outfitted in the house in shades of orange, gold, and cream, lit pumpkin spice candles, and baked warm and spicy cookies. My guest today shares a similar love for fall and turns out she lives right here in my new town and even grew up not far from me in Houston! Sharron Davis is the Executive Director of Solace Retreat [solaceretreat.org], a destination that provides respite, support, resources, and community for families who experience loss due to sudden physical trauma. My neighbor recently told me about Sharron’s ministry and I wanted to know more. We sat down and Sharron began to unpack her story. We talk about the life she and her husband Matt created and the sudden turn she experienced five years ago. Friends, God will use you and your story for His glory. You will want to share this one with a friend.

Episode 37 - Jay & Jess Norman

Although we’ve been home most of this year, we still have been able to stay connected to those we love thanks to our smartphones and social media. You know what I haven’t given much thought to recently? That I can still have conversations with my friends and family, but meeting new people has essentially stopped. I met today’s guests in an unexpected way. Six days later, I sat down with fellow Texas podcasters, Jay and Jess Norman. We connected right away and I can say I have great new friends that I’ve never met in person! The Norman’s are farmers and since I lived in America’s heartland for so many years, we bonded over sweet corn instantly! The hosts of the Moving On [https://www.movingonpodcast.com/] podcast each walked through difficult seasons of life with separation, divorce, and single-parenting. After marrying four years ago, they began blending their families. Jess and Jay speak from their hearts about the challenges of connecting with stepchildren and navigating parenting in their new family dynamic. We talk a lot about relationships and how they’ve learned that without grace, tensions can escalate quickly and become tugs-of-war that are difficult to overcome. The Norman’s coined the hashtag #droptherope which has given me a new perspective on stopping a crucial conversation before it becomes an exchange I regret. Friends, you’re going to love Jess and Jay as much as I do, and I think you’ll learn so much wisdom from their experiences. Enjoy today’s conversation and be sure to share it with a friend!

Episode 36 - Quarantine Part 4 Feat. Enneagram Expert David Bell

I don't know about you, but there's a few things I miss. Lipstick, jewelry, coffee dates, and I'd probably say, cleaning wipes. We've gone without some of our favorite things for a long time now. A few weeks ago, we had to tighten up again because numbers were going bonkers. The highlight of our day is a car trip through a local drive-thru to satisfy our cravings for sweet iced tea. The complexities of 2020 seem to continue to pile up and tensions about returning to school are escalating. Even in our own home we are asking, do we buy school supplies? Are back to school clothes even needed? Like my family, you may be wondering how can we communicate without killing each other. Why is he acting that way or why is she talking like that? We continue to consult the enneagram to try to navigate how we are interacting with one another in this season. For our final episode in our quarantine series, we take listener questions and ask our guest, enneagram teacher, David Bell. David has great insights and I'm sure you'll find lots of useful information to take away!