The Choosing Brave Podcast

S2 E13 How We Persevere: Advocating for Art and Mental Health with Anne Villano

Anne Villano is an artist on a mission. She is a military spouse and social work grad student who is passionate about the power of creative therapies for the military community. Anne believes that being brave right now is “perseverance” and takes our listeners through her journey of creating the social action mural for military mental health [https://www.instagram.com/p/COVnrfWB8OF/]. She shares: “Mental health knows no age or race. It doesn’t know active or veteran, it doesn’t know branches- it encompasses us all and that’s what the mural does- it puts faces to the statistics.” She also gives listeners great tips to make an eraser-free sketchbook, give ourselves grace in the journey, and claw our way back to creativity. Connect with Anne on Instagram @milartmom [https://www.instagram.com/milartmom/] Anne Villano Art [https://www.annevillanoart.com/welcome/] Connect with host Lindsay on Instagram @upliftinganchor [https://www.instagram.com/upliftinganchor/]. She sends out her Hope Notes newsletter seasonally, you can sign up for it here. [https://upliftinganchor.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0e315a073bdd477c608f91b26&id=9849ee42aa] You can read more of her writing on her website: http://www.upliftinganchor.com [http://www.upliftinganchor.com/]

S2 E12 How to Push Forward to New Dreams with Stephanie Cuepo Wobby

“When your dreams change, it’s a sign that there’s something better out there...you have to push forward and believe in yourself.” Stephanie Cuepo Wobby served as a combat medic for seven years in the Army, and is now dreaming forward as a writer. She is pursuing her M.F.A. in writing at Columbia University. Stephanie is the editor-in-chief for The Line Literary Review, which is a unique publication from Columbia University that features “artistic works for and by the military and veteran community.” Stephanie is no stranger to embracing bravery in her life. She shares that “(being) brave to me is doing something that’s right even though it’s hard and pushing forward even when you don’t want to.” You can connect with Stephanie on Instagram @s_cuepowobby [https://www.instagram.com/s_cuepowobby/] The Line Literary Review on Instagram @thelineliterary [https://www.instagram.com/thelineliterary/] Read The Line Literary Review [https://www.thelineliterary.org/] Connect with host Lindsay on Instagram @upliftinganchor [https://www.instagram.com/upliftinganchor/]. She sends out her Hope Notes newsletter seasonally, you can sign up for it here. [https://upliftinganchor.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0e315a073bdd477c608f91b26&id=9849ee42aa] You can read more of her writing on her website: http://www.upliftinganchor.com [http://www.upliftinganchor.com/] Resources mentioned in this episode: Voices from War [https://voicesfromwar.org/] Warrior Writers [https://www.warriorwriters.org/] Empowered and Thriving [https://www.womenveteransempowered.org/] Wrath Bearing Tree [https://www.wrath-bearingtree.com/]

S2 E11 How We Beat Imposter Syndrome and Move Forward as a Late Career Milspouse with Jayla Rae Ardelean

“I’m passionate about breaking military spouses out of imposter syndrome because all it’s doing is holding us back as a community. We are all truly connected by one thing: our spouse chose to serve...and we are just trying to do our best alongside them.” Not only does Jayla Rae Ardelean offer insights into breaking free from imposter syndrome, she also speaks on the challenges and unique perspective late career milspouses face, and advocates for how the military spouse community can utilize mentorship. She shares, “the process of coming back to yourself is the hardest thing to do. Sometimes you need a mirror to show you how much you’ve grown.” You will leave this episode with tangible steps you can take to walk forward with purpose as a military spouse. Connect with Jayla Rae on Instagram @mil.spouse [https://www.instagram.com/mil.spouse/] Jayla’s webiste [https://www.jaylarae.com/] The Heart of a Milspouse Podcast [https://www.jaylarae.com/podcast] Just for Listeners! Access Jayla Rae’s 3 Steps to Getting Started with Personal Development Guide here: jaylarae.com/choosingbrave [http://jaylarae.com/choosingbrave] Connect with host Lindsay on Instagram @upliftinganchor [https://www.instagram.com/upliftinganchor/]. She sends out her Hope Notes newsletter seasonally, you can sign up for it here. [https://upliftinganchor.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0e315a073bdd477c608f91b26&id=9849ee42aa] You can read more of her writing on her website: http://www.upliftinganchor.com [http://www.upliftinganchor.com/]

S2 E10: How to Embrace Joy Alongside Grief with Amy Grass

“(I realized) none of my feelings would challenge the truth of who God is.” This conversation with Amy Grass is an honor and an inspiration. She unpacks the story of her miscarriage during the pandemic for listeners and invites us into a journey of walking in both hardship and faith. “Grief isn’t linear. I like organization, expectations, and control...but (grief) ebbs and flows. You don’t just get through it. In other trials in my life, there’s been an endpoint, but this will never go away. (Our baby) River will always be part of our story and we will always carry that grief. I think accepting that has been big for our family.” Amy is also a brilliant writer, podcaster, and baker. She has found that “my purpose in writing is to tell what is true and make others feel less alone...Bravery feels a lot like faith to me.” There is so much laughter in this conversation, and the strength to search for truth and hope in God. You can connect with Amy on Instagram @amyegrass [https://www.instagram.com/amyegrass/] Amy’s Newsletter: Monthly Mercies [https://tinyletter.com/amyegrass] A Good Word Podcast [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1510195] by Amy Grass and Molly Flinkman Amy’s outdoor challenge: #janueverydayoutside [https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/janueverydayoutside/] Exhale Community [https://www.exhalecreativity.com/] Love, Jessica Organization [https://www.instagram.com/lovejessicaorg/] Connect with host Lindsay on Instagram @upliftinganchor [https://www.instagram.com/upliftinganchor/]. She sends out her Hope Notes Newsletter seasonally, you can sign up for it here. [https://upliftinganchor.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0e315a073bdd477c608f91b26&id=9849ee42aa] You can read more of her writing on her website: http://www.upliftinganchor.com [http://www.upliftinganchor.com/]

S2 E9 Behind the Scenes of a Stretching Season

“Once the stretching season is over it is going to bear fruit...but only if I work on my self-control in the process.” Join host Lindsay as she reflects on a season that is stretching both her and her family. Reflection Questions for Listeners: 1. What extras are we doing? What extras am I doing? 2. How can I find peace in present chaos? 3. How do I want to feel at the end of this season? 4. What fruit of the spirit am I being called to work on? The nine fruits of the spirit are as follows: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control The book mentioned in this episode is Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison Connect with host Lindsay on Instagram @upliftinganchor [https://www.instagram.com/upliftinganchor/]. She sends out her Hope Notes newsletter seasonally, you can sign up for it here. [https://upliftinganchor.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0e315a073bdd477c608f91b26&id=9849ee42aa] You can read more of her writing on her website: http://www.upliftinganchor.com [http://www.upliftinganchor.com/]