Have you ever woken up already exhausted, wondering how you’ll make it through a day that feels heavier than the one before? Have you ever felt like you’re walking in the shadows, carrying more than your soul can handle, and wondered if God even sees you there?

Dr. Phyllis shares a deeply personal message about walking through the valleys of life and leaning on God’s presence when the weight feels unbearable. Drawing from her experience as a healthcare leader during the height of the pandemic, balancing unexpected caregiving responsibilities for her mother, and navigating the emotional fallout of personal and professional challenges, she opens up about what it truly means to hold on when life feels overwhelming.

Through this story, Dr. Phyllis reflects on the autopilot mindset many of us fall into—reacting to life instead of being fully present—and the moment she realized she couldn’t carry everything alone. Psalm 23:4 became a guiding light.

If you’ve ever felt overburdened, isolated, or unsure of how to move forward, this episode is a reminder that you are not forsaken. You’ll hear honest, heartfelt encouragement to pause, release the weight you’ve been holding, and lean fully into God’s guidance—even in the seasons that feel darkest.

She introduces the “HOLD” approach for getting through tough seasons:

• Honor the weight you feel
• Open your heart to God's presence
• Lean on small steps of faith
• Declare the valley as temporary

Whether you’re juggling multiple roles, navigating personal loss, or simply need hope in a difficult season, this conversation will inspire you to keep moving forward, one step at a time, with faith that you are seen, held, and supported.

Quotes from Today's Episode:

“God's presence makes the difference in your life. And so I want you to remember that you may be feeling burdened, but you're not forsaken. It's just a season.”

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​​In this episode, Dr. Phyllis opens up about navigating a season of life that looks very different from what she once imagined—balancing the care of a loved one, managing her household, stepping into retirement after decades in medical practice, and tending to her own personal and spiritual growth. With so many demands pulling her in different directions, she’s faced the reality of an ever-growing to-do list.

Dr. Phyllis shares how she’s learning to shift her perspective: rather than measuring her worth by what gets done, she’s embracing “grace for the gaps”—the space between what we plan and what actually happens. She encourages listeners to be fully present, release unrealistic expectations, and allow God’s timing to shape their days instead of living on autopilot.

Dr. Phyllis reminds us that showing up with love, embracing interruptions, and serving others is deeply fulfilling and aligns with God’s rhythm.

Practical guidance in this episode includes her FLOW method:

F: Filter the frustration – acknowledge it, but don’t let it control your day.

L: Let go of the list – your worth isn’t determined by unchecked boxes; release them to God.

O: Open to the opportunity – notice what did happen and the ways God might be working through unexpected moments.

W: Walk in grace – reset your day according to God’s rhythm, not resentment.

Dr. Phyllis encourages listeners to journal one thing they need to release and one unexpected blessing they can be thankful for. She closes with Proverbs 16:3, a reminder that trusting God with our plans brings peace and purpose.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder to give yourself grace, stay present, and trust that God fills the gaps with His perfect timing.

Quotes from Today’s Episode:

"It's so easy says to measure our worth by what got checked off instead of how present we were with what really mattered."

"When we measure the day only by what didn't get done, we stay stuck in resentment and frustration. But when we shift into God's rhythm, we can reset, release the gaps, and recognize the grace and flow of life."

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00:00 Unexpected Retirement Challenges

04:35 "Finding Home and Presence"

09:59 Embrace God's Rhythm for Fulfillment

14:52 "Staying Joyful and Fulfilled"

18:04 "Commit to the Lord's Guidance"

Ever feel like a past season of life was wasted? On this episode of the Own Your Yes Podcast, Dr. Phyllis reminds listeners that nothing is ever wasted when a yes is placed in God’s hands. What felt like a detour, delay, or dead end may actually have been preparation for a future breakthrough.

Dr. Phyllis shares a story about a dying key fob battery that became a powerful example of how past “failures” or missteps can equip us for the present. Every skill, lesson, and challenge contributes to growth and readiness for what comes next, even when it isn’t obvious at the time.

Listeners will learn the PREP approach—Perspective, Remember, Equip, Purpose—to reframe past seasons as seed time rather than wasted time. This episode encourages journaling, reflection, and reclaiming the value in past experiences.

Romans 8:28 reminds believers that all things work together for good. Through this episode, Dr. Phyllis emphasizes that every yes, every effort, and every season in life has meaning and purpose.

Quotes from Today’s Episode:

"Practice speaking life into your past by affirming that season equipped me for today and the future."

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00:00 "Embrace Life's Purposeful Seasons"

05:01 "Revise Frustration: Embrace Preparation"

08:49 "Nothing Wasted: Trust Your Journey"

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately wondered if you belong there? In this episode, Dr. Phyllis shares how embracing your God-given worth allows you to show up confidently—without waiting for anyone else’s validation.

She takes you through her personal story of feeling out of place and the moment it clicked: belonging isn’t about permission; it’s about recognizing the value God has already placed in you. Dr. Phyllis introduces her WORTH framework—Walk in truth, Own your space, Release the gaze, Trust God’s design, and Hold your head high—to help you step into every room knowing you belong.

This episode will guide you to stop apologizing for your presence, release fear of judgment, and carry yourself with confidence grounded in truth. Dr. Phyllis also shares journaling prompts and a scripture from Psalm 139:14 to help you internalize your worth and speak it over yourself daily.

You were created intentionally, and your presence matters. Say yes to your worth, trust God’s design, and watch how your confidence transforms every space you enter.

Quotes from Today’s Episode:

“To know your worth so deeply that you don't need anyone else's validation to take up space."

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​​00:00 Unsettling Salon Stare

03:37 Uncomfortable Stare Encounter

06:57 "The Worth Approach: Embrace Self-Worth"

10:39 "Self-Worth and Belonging Journaling"

What if the stories that once held you back could actually become stepping stones toward healing and growth? In this episode, Dr. Phyllis shares how rewriting old narratives doesn’t require a grand moment—sometimes it starts with something as simple as trying avocado toast after decades of avoidance.

Through her personal story, Dr. Phyllis shows how small acts of courage, curiosity, and self-compassion can help us shift the way we relate to our past. You don’t have to erase what’s happened—you only need to reclaim your present.

She also introduces her REDO framework:

R – Revisit with curiosity

E – Extend yourself compassion

D – Do one small brave thing at a time

O – Open to new possibilities

Whether it’s in a relationship, your career, or everyday choices, the old narratives don’t have to define you anymore. Healing starts with just one small step.

Ask yourself: What story are you still letting define you? This week, take one small step to let go of the past and rewrite how it shows up in your present.

Quotes from Today’s Episode:

“You don't need to erase the past. You just need to reclaim your present”

“When you give yourself permission to take small steps of healing in the present, you allow the past to lose its power over you”

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​​00:00 "Finding Peace in Avocado Toast"

05:54 Overcoming Childhood Avocado Misconception

08:03 "Embracing Avocado: A Vegan's Journey"

12:49 "Rewriting Past Narratives"

17:21 "Reclaim Your Story: Small Steps"

18:56 Purpose and Response

Ever notice how heavy life feels when everything on your list turns into a “have to”?

I have to get up early. I have to go to work. I have to make dinner. I have to take care of everyone else. When life is framed this way, it can start to feel exhausting and joyless.

In this episode, Dr. Phyllis invites you to flip the switch—to shift from living in obligation to living with opportunity. Instead of “I have to,” you begin to say, “I get to.” That one small change can completely reframe how you see your day.

She walks you through practical steps to help you do this: grounding yourself in gratitude, noticing where you’re feeling depleted, filtering and triaging what’s really important, and making space for what God is calling you to do.

What if instead of saying, “I have to go to work,” you reframed it as, “I get to use my skills”? That mindset shift can open the door to peace, presence, and even joy—right in the middle of everyday life.

This conversation will encourage you to slow down, breathe, and remember that joy isn’t found in the hustle of checking off your to-do list. It’s found when you choose to flip the switch.

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Life doesn’t always go as planned, and it’s so easy to get stuck in frustration, discouragement, or regret. But joy isn’t something you have to wait for—it’s something you can choose today. In this episode, Dr. Phyllis shares how to say yes to joy and gratitude, even in the middle of the chaos.

She talks about what it looks like to anchor yourself in joy when everything feels overwhelming, how to break through the clouds of gloom that try to overshadow your peace, and why gratitude is the daily voice that can shift everything.

Dr. Phyllis explores what it means to own your yes—to stand in who you are, own your story, and stay present. And even when life feels heavy, we can choose the declaration of “yet”—yet I will rejoice, yet I will be grateful, yet I will find joy.

If you’ve been feeling depleted or disappointed, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and ask yourself: Where can I say yes to joy today?

This conversation with Dr. Phyllis will empower, inspire, and remind you that God is always present—guiding you to gratitude, joy, and transformation.

Quotes from Today’s Episode:

“Joy doesn’t have to be something you wait for”

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In this 100th episode, Dr. Phyllis explores the truth that joy is not found in perfectly executed plans, but in presence, purpose, and flexibility. Drawing on decades of experience in medicine, personal reflections, and wisdom from her late mother, she shares how to release control and adopt a “flex and flow” mindset that creates space for authentic joy—even when life goes off-script.

Through stories from her own journey and insights gained from serving as a hospice physician, Dr. Phyllis reveals the importance of focusing on what truly matters, letting go of the illusion of control, and opening yourself to the present moment. She introduces the FLOW framework:

• F: Focus on what truly matters
• L: Let go of the illusion of control
• O: Open yourself to the moment
• W: Weigh the worth of your “yes”

This episode is especially relevant for high-achieving Christian women navigating the tension between doing and being. It offers practical ways to shift from rigidity to flexibility, fostering fulfillment in both personal and professional roles.

A milestone episode dedicated to growth, resilience, and living a life aligned with God’s calling.

Quotes from Today’s Episode:

"Joy doesn't come from everything going as planned. It comes from the moments we stop forcing and we start flowing and we allow space for what truly matters."

(00:00) "Finding Fulfillment and Letting Go"

(05:06) "Matriarch's Legacy and Reflection"

(10:51) Finding Joy in Life's Transitions

(12:57) Embracing Change and Saying Yes

(18:56) "Balancing Parenting and Personal Growth"

(22:12) "Creating Quality Family Time"

(24:24) "Embrace Flow, Find Joy"

(30:33) Presence Over Perfection

(32:24) "Embrace Flexibility in Unexpected Times"

(35:05)"Celebrating 100 Episodes Together"

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