In today’s special year-end holiday episode, host Heather Creekmore welcomes author and speaker Cynthia Ruchti to the show for an uplifting conversation perfectly suited to the busy woman navigating the Christmas season. As the holidays approach, the to-do lists are long, and the “reason for the season” can easily get lost amid shopping, family obligations, and endless tasks. Heather Creekmore and Cynthia Ruchti encourage listeners to pause, ponder, and rediscover the wonder of Christmas, focusing on spiritual renewal rather than exhausting productivity.

Together, they discuss Cynthia’s Christmas devotional, her insights on noticing God’s presence, embracing lingering and pondering, and shifting our attitudes to receive what God has truly prepared for us—even in the midst of chaos, disappointment, and the “distribution of labor” that often falls to women during the holidays. The episode is packed with relatable holiday circumstances, biblical reflections, real-life stories, and practical encouragement to rest in the joy, awe, and wonder that Christmas offers.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why slowing down and observing brings more spiritual refreshment than staying busy

• The power of “lingering”—with God, with loved ones, and in the moment

• God’s upside-down kingdom and the abundance found in trusting Him with our time and resources

• Noticing God in both the seen and the unseen aspects of the Christmas story

• The message of redemption woven throughout Scripture, from Isaiah to the nativity

• What holiday mishaps (yes, even broken goblets!) can teach us about perspective and joy

• Reframing holiday serving as a gift for ourselves, not just for others

• How to keep awe and wonder alive in our hearts, even when Christmas feels like another item on the checklist

• Practical encouragement for busy moms and grandmas feeling the holiday load

• Using Cynthia’s 26-day devotional for a richer, more intentional holiday season

Resources & Links:

• Get Cynthia’s Christmas devotional book, Spirit of Christmas: Discovering His Presence (available on Amazon and hemmedinhope.com) *Amazon affiiate link, a tiny portion of your purchase will support this ministry.

• Connect with Cynthia at hemmedinhope.com or cynthiaruchti.com

• Explore Cynthia’s other books—fiction and nonfiction—through her website

• Sign up for the next 40-Day Journey at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

Don’t forget: Whether you’re listening on your way to pick up gifts, hauling kids to their next party, or just stealing a quiet moment, this episode will leave you refreshed and ready to focus on what matters most this holiday season!

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Are you feeling crushed by the pressure to lose weight? You’re not alone. In this honest and compassionate episode, Heather Creekmore tackles the overwhelming desire so many women carry to lose weight—even when we know the struggle all too well.

Heather Creekmore dives deep into the real reasons why our culture is fixated on shrinking our bodies, the rise of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, and what it means now that nearly 1 in 5 adults in the US have tried these weight-loss shots. Whether you use them, are considering them, or tried them and now feel even more burned by diet culture, this episode is for you.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why so many of us feel pressured to be thinner, especially during the holiday season

• How body image struggles are magnified by social media, holiday events, and cultural expectations

• What the Gospel teaches us on humility, worth, and where our true value is rooted (hint: it’s not in the scale or in being the “thinnest one in the photo”)

• Real talk about the cost—mentally, physically, and spiritually—of making weight loss your primary goal

• Encouraging reminders that your struggle is not a “you problem,” but a symptom of a wider issue in our society

• Practical steps for what to do when the desire to lose weight feels overwhelming

If you’re tired of wrestling with disappointment from the latest weight loss trends, or you need encouragement to find freedom from the idol of body image, tune in for wise, compassionate truth that will point you to lasting hope.

Special Invitation:
Ready for a new way—one that invites more freedom, less comparison, and true worth? Don’t miss the announcement about the next 40-Day Body Image Journey (starts January 20th)! Head to improvebodyimage.com to learn more.

Share this episode with a friend or leave a review if it encourages you—your support helps others find hope and healing too.

Stop comparing. Start living. Listen now to “When the Want to Lose Weight Is Overwhelming” on Compared to Who?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

On this episode of Compared to Who?, Heather Creekmore sits down for a candid conversation with Nicole Warren Renard, also known as Nicole the Nomad. Nicole’s journey has taken her through pageants, the Miss America stage, social media influence, and even to competing on Next Level Chef with Gordon Ramsay. But beneath the highlight reel, Nicole opens up about the ever-present challenge of comparison—whether it's sizing herself up against others, herself from different seasons of life, or the high-pressure environments of televised competitions and motherhood.

What’s Inside:

• Facing Comparison in High-Pressure Environments: Nicole reflects on feeling like the "least experienced, least qualified" contestant on Next Level Chef, and how self-doubt and comparison can trip us up—even in the most exciting opportunities.

• Identity and Confidence: Discover how grounding her worth in Christ empowered Nicole to compete in both pageants and cooking shows without letting failure or criticism define her.

• Comparison in Motherhood: Nicole shares honestly about the struggles of comparing herself to other moms on social media, and even to her pre-mom self. She offers practical ways to keep your heart and mind anchored in truth during big life transitions.

• Practical Tips for Freedom from Comparison:

  • Breath prayers and staying in constant conversation with God

  • Practicing gratitude to shift focus away from “not enough”

  • Setting healthy boundaries with social media

  • Keeping an eternal perspective during mundane or behind-the-scenes seasons

• Life Skills and Pageant Myths: Nicole debunks stereotypes about the pageant world, explains how it developed her confidence and skills, and how she focused on the positive outcomes rather than just winning.

• Holistic Health & Rhythms: Nicole shares the value of consistency and structure in daily routines for mind, body, and soul health.

• Faith in the Everyday: Learn how Nicole incorporates prayer and scripture into her daily life, even as a busy new mom, modeling an abiding relationship with God for her daughter.

Favorite Quotes:

• “At the end of the day, if all of that was stripped away, nothing I do or don't do changes the fact that I'm a human created with purpose and that I have value that is given to me through Christ.”

• “I'm quick to give up on myself and say, well, I don’t know what else it could be… And I compare myself to that.”

We Talk About:

• The mental game of competition and why comparison can knock out even the most talented contestants

• How gratitude can’t coexist with complaining, and practical ways to cultivate a grateful heart

• Why embracing every season—including the “unseen” work of motherhood—is building an eternal legacy

Sponsored by:
WeShare Christian Medical Health Sharing — health care designed with your peace of mind. Get a free, no-obligation quote and waive the $149 application fee by going to: www.weshare.org/heather

Connect:
Find Nicole on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more as Nicole the Nomad. Get recipes, travel guides, and more at Nicole the Nomad’s website.

Next Steps:

• Sign up for Compared to Who?'s 40 Day Journey or grab the 40 Day Body Image Workbook on Amazon.

• Leave a 5-star review and share this episode if it encouraged you!

Remember:
You can stop comparing—and start living!

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.