Episode 13: The Hurricane and the Healing

Episode 14: Beyond the Storm

So we made it through the storm but…now what? I know that feeling of “now what?” all too well, but if you listened to the last episode you’ll know that I lived to tell the story. We often spend so much energy fighting through the storm that when the sky clears, we don’t know how to go on living or if we even have it in us to try. Mourning the loss of the life you thought you’d have is an important step in the healing journey, but you can’t stay there forever. So how do we clean up? How do we rebuild? How do we figure out who we are now that the storm is over? In today's episode, I am going to share my experience in learning to live again after my storm and the mindset shifts that helped propel me into the version of myself that isn’t just surviving, but flourishing. We’ll discuss how these mindset shifts can make all the difference in healing your perspective following a major life change and action steps that will help you take those first steps forward. Check out the partner blog for this episode: Beyond the Storm on Substack! [https://pleaseletmefinish.substack.com/p/beyond-the-storm] Resources mentioned in today's episode: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron [https://juliacameronlive.com/book/the-artists-way/] Follow to stay updated on future episodes! Substack: pleaseletmefinish.substack.com [https://pleaseletmefinish.substack.com/] Instagram: @pleaseletmefinishpod [https://www.instagram.com/pleaseletmefinishpod] Facebook: @pleaseletmefinishpod [https://www.facebook.com/pleaseletmefinishpod] Credits: PLMF Theme Song: Shelby Cate Newsome

Episode 13: The Hurricane and the Healing

It is lucky episode 13 of the PLMF Podcast and I am pleased to report that I have finally, after 4 years, mustered up the courage to tell my story. Now my friends, I'm not trying to be dramatic but I am quite literally terrified to release this to the world. I have always felt a sense of protectiveness over this story 1) because it is very painful and vulnerable to share and 2) I have wrestled with the shame of it for longer than I care to admit. But NO LONGER! God has been working diligently on healing my heart, and part of that journey has been coming to terms with the fact that this is my story, and despite the messy parts, it is beautifully written and worth sharing. In today's episode, I discuss where I've been for the past few years, the storms I have weathered, and the ways that I have learned to choose joy despite my circumstances. My prayer is that my story will serve as a beacon of hope for anyone weathering a storm in their own life and remind them that the story isn't over and, even when we don't understand, there is beauty in the mess and joy to be found in every season. Check out the partner blog for this episode: The Hurricane and the Healing [https://pleaseletmefinish.substack.com/p/please-let-me-finish-my-story]on Substack! Resources mentioned in today's episode: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron [https://juliacameronlive.com/book/the-artists-way/] Follow to stay updated on future episodes! Substack: pleaseletmefinish.substack.com [http://www.pleaseletmefinish.substack.com/] Instagram: @pleaseletmefinishpod Facebook: @pleaseletmefinishpod Credits:PLMF Theme Song: Shelby Cate Newsome

Episode 12: Ellie Hanstad - Finding Faith in the Hills and Valleys

It's episode 12 of the Please, Let Me Finish Podcast and, we are welcoming our first guest of Season 2! She is a very special, very brave little gal...it's my baby sister, Ellie Hanstad (applause, applause)!!! We have 5 kids in our family and Ellie is our lucky #4. She is working on completing her bachelor's degree in psychology and is hoping to go into medical sales with a special interest in optometry! We are 8 years apart so as her older sister, I have watched her grow in many ways through the years and I am so amazed by the woman she has become. I have done my best to help guide and encourage her along the way, but I can confidently say that she is wise beyond her years and has also been an incredible source of advice and support for me over the past few years. When we decided that Ellie would be a guest, I knew it was going to be a powerful episode. We will be diving into her difficult, but unique and beautiful journey of learning how to flourish despite her diagnosis of Bipolar 2 and how her faith has sustained her even in the darkest of valleys. Her courage to share her heart and her willingness to be vulnerable is so inspiring to me, and I know it will inspire you, too. ***Trigger Warning: There is brief mention of suicidal ideation in this episode. Listener discretion is advised.*** Follow to stay updated on future episodes! Substack: pleaseletmefinish.substack.com [https://pleaseletmefinish.substack.com/] Instagram: @pleaseletmefinishpod [https://www.instagram.com/pleaseletmefinishpod/] Facebook:  @pleaseletmefinishpod [https://www.facebook.com/pleaseletmefinishpod]

Episode 11: I am not achieving, I am becoming

Hello, friends...WE ARE BACK!!! Welcome to Season 2 of the PLMF Podcast! It feels so good to say those words . I know it has been a long time coming and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for those of you who have stuck around and for those of you who are new around here! I have spent the last few years healing and growing and I am so ready to share it all with you, as well as some incredible conversations with some brand new guests!  In this episode, we are going to talk about how we can approach the new year with hope and focus on becoming who we want to be rather than achieving what the world thinks we ought to achieve. I am going to share a bit about my new year preparation process, some insight into my morning routine, some tips for mapping out your goals and some encouraging words to remind you that who you are is significantly more important than what you do and that you can truly start this process at any time. I know this episode is coming at the end of January, but I hope that is serves as a timely encouragement for you as the adrenaline from January 1st starts to wear off and the reality of 2026 settles in. I pray this episode brings you a fresh sense of hope and expectation for all that this year has to offer! Thank you so very much for tuning in, and I cannot wait to share more conversations for the open heart, uninterrupted this year. Check out the partner blog for this episode: I am not achieving, I am becoming [https://substack.com/home/post/p-183381984] on Substack! Resources mentioned in today's episode: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron [https://juliacameronlive.com/book/the-artists-way-a-spiritual-path-to-higher-creativity/] Feit Electric Smart Light Bulb [https://www.walmart.com/ip/Feit-Electric-6W-60W-Equivalent-Color-Changing-Smart-LED-Light-Bulb-ST-Shape-E26-Base-Dimmable/470562254?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=6300&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=22222222277470562254_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-394283752452&wl5=9026838&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=470562254&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12420145346&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIp2lgPMD9XOacr8XmUlfa_j_&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvtzLBhCPARIsALwhxdrD1Kvur2B2ZwbE8J4Mg9vJjPZc1IZGF75VkaSLlTyeVnQZNoPgD0AaAp8FEALw_wcB] Follow to stay updated on future episodes! Substack: www.pleaseletmefinish.substack.com [https://pleaseletmefinish.substack.com/] Instagram: @pleaseletmefinishpod [https://www.instagram.com/pleaseletmefinishpod/] Facebook: @pleaseletmefinishpod [https://www.facebook.com/pleaseletmefinishpod]  Credits: PLMF Theme Song: Shelby Cate Newsome

Episode 10: Charles Newsome - The Needs Unspoken

If you can believe it, the season finale of the PLMF Podcast has arrived! My guest today is Charles Newsome, my dear husband! He is an incredibly thoughtful, deeply caring individual who instinctively meets the needs he recognizes around him, even those unspoken. Charles has his bachelor’s degree in psychology and works as a special education teacher, or as his students would likely say, a super hero. It has been such a blessing to witness so many of them grow exponentially during their time with him. He’s a friend to all animals and loves too many to count; he’s a talented artist, an accomplished home chef, and my overall favorite person. Charles agreed to come on the podcast to discuss his experience as a teacher and what his students have taught him about grace, his perspective on how we can better support men’s overall mental health, and how compassionate communication can make a big difference when it comes to having those conversations.  Instagram: @pleaseletmefinishpod Facebook: @pleaseletmefinishpod  Tik Tok: @pleaseletmefinishpod Twitter: @plmfpodcast Special Thanks to: Charles Newsome PLMF Theme Song: Shelby Cate Newsome