Ep. 038 - Beyond Coincidence: Seeing God’s Hand in Hard Things With Sheila Layton

Ep. 041 -Divine Confidence, Joy, and the Courage to Smile With Sonrisa Hasselbach

In this uplifting and honest conversation, Rachel sits down with religious educator, speaker, and digital missionary Sonrisa Hasselbach to explore joy, confidence, faith, and the courage to keep showing up—even when life feels hard. Known for blending gospel truth with humor, Sonrisa shares how her love of making funny videos eventually merged with her testimony of Jesus Christ, creating a unique ministry of encouragement online. Together, Rachel and Sonrisa discuss why joy isn't merely the result of favorable circumstances but a divine attribute woven into our purpose as children of God. They also dive into the story of the woman with the issue of blood, the difference between worldly confidence and divine confidence, and how many women unknowingly sabotage themselves through negative self-talk. Sonrisa offers a powerful perspective on repentance—not as shame, but as turning toward Christ whenever our thoughts drift away from truth. If you've ever struggled with comparison, imposter syndrome, discouragement, or feeling "not enough," this episode is a reminder that confidence doesn't come from perfection. It comes from trusting the Savior and moving forward anyway. Connect with Sonrisa on Instagram: @once.upon.sunrisa

Ep. 040- What Young Adults Are Teaching Me About Faith with Kathryn Davis

What does it look like to find God in the middle of ordinary life? In this heartfelt conversation, Rachel sits down with Institute teacher Kathryn Davis to discuss faith, relationships, young adults, and the life-changing practice of recognizing God's hand in our daily lives. Kathryn shares what she's learned from teaching thousands of young adults, why today's rising generation gives her tremendous hope, and how one simple practice—recording where she sees God each day—changed the way she views challenges, uncertainty, and unanswered prayers. Together, they discuss: • Why your relationship with God impacts every other relationship in your life • The relationship we often neglect most: our relationship with ourselves • What young adults are carrying emotionally and spiritually today • Why so many people feel "behind" in life • Learning to trust God when doors close • How to recognize God's hand in everyday moments • The power of recording spiritual experiences • What today's youth are teaching us about choosing faith • Why hard things often lead to deeper conversion • How to support and encourage the rising generation One of Kathryn's most beautiful reminders is that if God is working miracles in the lives of those around us, He is working in ours too—even when we can't yet see it. Whether you're navigating uncertainty, parenting young adults, preparing to serve a mission, or simply trying to feel closer to the Savior, this conversation will leave you with greater hope and a renewed desire to look for God's hand in your life. Connect with Kathryn: Instagram: @katherineddavis If this episode blessed you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. Your support helps more women discover their divine purpose and rise into all God has created them to be.

Ep. 039 - Amelia Lyon On Strengthening The Muscle Of Gratitude

Today's episode is not only inspiring, but sacred. Rachel is joined by her dear friend Amelia Lyon for a deeply honest conversation about grief, gratitude, motherhood, faith, and learning to recognize God’s hand in every season of life. Amelia shares her experiences with multiple miscarriages, losing her father to ALS, the sudden death of her brother, and the recent loss of her stepfather to cancer — and how those experiences transformed the way she sees God. Together, Rachel and Amelia discuss: -How gratitude changes the way we experience hardship -Seeing God in both devastating losses and ordinary moments -Morning routines that create space for revelation -Divine “downloads” from the Spirit -Miscarriage, motherhood, and trusting God with unanswered questions -Missionary miracles and heavenly help -Why “hard is hard” — and comparison doesn’t serve us -The powerful truth that sometimes all we have left is Jesus Amelia’s testimony is tender, practical, hopeful, and deeply moving. This conversation will leave you wanting to slow down, notice God more intentionally, and trust that even in your hardest seasons… He is there. Favorite Quote: “If you’re looking for Him, you will find Him. I promise.” Resources Mentioned: The Magic by Rhonda Byrne [https://amzn.to/3Rt5K96] Amelia’s photography work: @amelialyonphoto [https://www.instagram.com/amelialyonphoto] and amelialyon.com [https://amelialyon.com/]

Ep. 038 - Beyond Coincidence: Seeing God’s Hand in Hard Things With Sheila Layton

In this episode of She Rises, Rachel sits down with Sheila Layton to talk about grief, faith, divine timing, and the quiet ways God carries us through unimaginable loss. Sheila shares what it was like growing up in a small LDS town in Canada with a faithful mother and a father who struggled with alcoholism. At just 21 years old, Sheila lost three immediate family members within five weeks—her father, and then her mother and younger sister in a tragic car accident—just weeks before her wedding day. Together, Rachel and Sheila explore: -How grief changes shape over time -The role of agency and mortality in life’s hardest moments -What faith looks like when answers don’t come easily -The tender mercies that carried Sheila through devastating loss -How God places people in our lives exactly when we need them -Why “coincidences” may actually be evidence of divine intervention -Learning to trust promptings, even when they feel uncomfortable or impossible Sheila also shares the powerful story behind starting her podcast, Beyond Coincidence, after repeatedly feeling prompted by God to do something she never thought she was capable of. This episode is for anyone navigating grief, questioning God in hard seasons, or wondering if He is still present in their story. Sheila can be found on Instagram @beyondcoincidence.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/beyondcoincidence.podcast/], or on her podcast, Beyond Coincidence, available where ever you listen to podcasts. As always, Rachel can be found on Instagram @simplyrachelclare [instagram.com/simplyrachelclare], and her website, rachelclare.com [rachelclare.com].

Ep. 037 - Amber Jackson On Finding Joy, Faith, And Even Whimsey In The Hardest Seasons Of Life

In this tender episode of She Rises Podcast, Rachel sits down with Amber Jackson for a conversation about grief, motherhood, faith, and choosing joy in the middle of a life that didn’t unfold the way she imagined. Amber shares her journey through postpartum depression, raising children with special needs, divorce, remarriage, caregiving through terminal brain cancer, and ultimately losing her husband, Tim, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. But this conversation is not just about suffering. It’s about the sacred ways God meets us in the messy middle. It’s about whimsical joy, kitchen dance parties, swinging beneath the trees, and learning to notice the holy moments hidden inside ordinary life. Together, Rachel and Amber discuss: -Raising children with Down syndrome and autism -The grief of unmet expectations in motherhood -Trusting spiritual answers that don’t unfold the way we expected -Widowhood and rebuilding identity after loss -The story of “Welcome to Holland” -What it means to “hang on by a thread” — and realize the thread is the hem of the Savior’s garment -Why joy is a choice, not a circumstance -Finding God in the small, beautiful moments of everyday life -Amber’s testimony of Jesus Christ and her determination to live a joyful life, even through profound heartbreak, will stay with you long after this episode ends. As President Hinckley taught: “Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” This episode is a beautiful reminder that even in the hardest seasons, God is not absent from your story. Follow along with Amber @enjoyingholland [https://www.instagram.com/enjoyingholland] on Instagram. As always, Rachel can be found @simplyrachelclare [instagram.com/simplyrachelclare]and her website, rachelclare.com [rachelclare.com]