The Bitter and The Sweet Podcast

The Peace We Were Made For- Episode 89

In a culture fueled by outrage and fear, is it possible for us to have peace? With practical help for breaking anxious thought loops and living at peace with others without people-pleasing, this episode will help you remember the peace God offers isn't just possible; it's what we were created for. LINKS Leave a review on Apple podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bitter-and-the-sweet-podcast/id1765529848] Connect with Kayla on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kaylacookwrites] Connect with the show on Instagram [https://instagram.com/thebitterandthesweetpodcast] Become an email friend [https://emailfriends.kit.com] Visit Kayla's website [https://kaylamcook.com]

No Toxic Positivity: Joy That Doesn't Ignore Your Pain- Episode 88

One of the most important things to me in the making of this episode on joy was that it not become some Pollyanna, joy is all around us-type episode, full of platitudes and pretending. Here's the thing: I do believe that there's joy all around us. That's because in the presence of God, there is fullness of joy, and He's with us always, just like He said. But man, sometimes we're just SAD, aren't we? How do we embrace joy in every season, even (and maybe especially) when it is hard-won? Is joy available to us now, or something grown in us over time, or is it a someday thing we look forward to? What about when we're sad or grieving, and what about when we stay that way for a long time? Questions like there are what this episode is all about. LINKS Connect with Kayla on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kaylacookwrites] Connect with the show on Instagram [https://instagram.com/thebitterandthesweetpodcast] Become an email friend [https://emailfriends.kit.com] Visit Kayla's website [https://kaylamcook.com]

How to Love When Your Heart Feels Hard- Episode 87

How do I love my people above my own preferences? How do I love when I've been hurt, or when I'm disappointed, or when I feel like I've been let down? How do I love God most when I'm mad at Him? We don't shy away from the hard questions around here, and in this episode about love, we are tackling these (and others) head on! In this honest conversation all about love, Kayla gets real about living as a person of love. With practical tips on how to love in hard seasons, healing a hard heart, and staying rooted in your faith when love feels hard, this episode will remind you you're not alone as you seek to love God and the people He gave you. LINKS Become an email friend [https://emailfriends.kit.com] Invite Kayla to speak [https://kaylamcook.com] Connect with Kayla on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kaylacookwrites] Connect with the show on Instagram [https://instagram.com/thebitterandthesweetpodcast]

You Don't Have to Make Summer Perfect: Letting Go of the Pressure to Make This the Best Summer Ever- Episode 86

Feeling the pressure to make this a perfect summer? In today's short solo episode, we're talking about releasing the pressure of a summer bucket list, plus what's coming up this summer here on the show. Don't miss it! LINKS Connect with Kayla on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kaylacookwrites] Connect with the show on Instagram [https://instagram.com/thebitterandthesweetpodcast] Become an email friend [https://emailfriends.kit.com] Visit Kayla's website [https://kaylamcook.com]

Overwhelmed? You Don't Have to Hold It All Together with Nichole Suvar- Episode 85

So many of us are walking around with the weight of the world on our shoulders. The pressure to hold it all together is real, but what if we could trade our overwhelm and anxiety for peace? It's possible, and that's what we are talking about today with a new friend of mine, Nichole Suvar! Nichole is the author of I Don't Have to Hold It All Together: Cultivating the Peace of Eden When Feeling Overwhelmed. When I heard that title, I thought YES PLEASE- this book is for me and my people. Nichole and I got to talk about managing overwhelm- where it comes from and what we can do about, intentionally connecting with God throughout our days, good stewardship and taking responsibility without taking on things that aren't ours to own. We also got to talk about battling anxiety, cultivating peace, and the attributes of Eden that are still present today, even as we live in a broken world. I loved this conversation with Nichole, and I'm excited we get to share it with you. Links to connect are below! LINKS Connect with Nichole on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nicholejsuvar/] Visit Nichole's website: livewithintent.org [https://livewithintent.org] Pre-order I Don't Have to Hold It All Together: Cultivating the Peace of Eden When Feeling Overwhelmed [https://a.co/d/02YHnwLn] Connect with Kayla on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kaylacookwrites] Connect with the show on Instagram [https://instagram.com/thebitterandthesweetpodcast]