In this insightful interview, Ariella VanHara shares her journey and the challenges she faced while pursuing a doctoral degree in social work. She discusses her initial career path, the pivotal moments that led her to academia, and the support system that helped her balance family life with her studies. Ariella emphasizes the importance of storytelling in education and social work, and reflects on the personal growth and increased confidence she gained through her doctoral program. Her story is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of community in achieving one's dreams.

Slowing down and taking stock of our lives is crucial for maintaining balance and perspective. When we're constantly rushing and busy, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters to us and what deserves our time and attention.

By pausing and reflecting, we can gain clarity on our priorities and goals. This allows us to make more intentional decisions about how we spend our time and energy, focusing on the things that align with our values and bring us fulfillment.

Moreover, taking time to gather ourselves can help prevent burnout and improve overall well-being. It gives us the opportunity to recharge mentally, emotionally, and physically, ensuring that we can continue to perform at our best in the long run.

In essence, slowing down isn't just about being unproductive; it's about being purposeful and strategic in how we invest our resources. It's about recognizing that productivity isn't ?

Are you stalled? Is Resentment, overthinking, fear, and shame keeping you from moving onto the life you ache about? It took the Israelites hundreds of years to get to their promised destination. Historians say the trip should have been no more than 11 days. Some of them died and did not make it!! Some made it much later. In this episode, we identify and face what is causing the “stall”, get a clearer understanding of the source, and choose “getting past it.”

Join us as we continue to embrace the possibilities.

1. #Resentment
2. #Overthinking
3. #Fear
4. #Shame
5. #Israelites
6. #Promised destination
7. #Historians
8. #Journey
9. #Death
10. #Clarity
11. #Source
12. #Choice
13. #Moving forward
14. #Embracing possibilities

Suffering and hardships are here to stay-- we cannot escape them! But, we have a choice about how we relate or respond to suffering and hardships. One of the ways that we humanly respond is by asking why. And, no one has an answer! Yes, there are no simple answers for the traumas we have "been dealt" or future ones. But, how we choose to suffer (respond or relate) can allow us to meet them or be buried and decimated by them. This is so true for me and I am almost sure this is true for you. Join us as we continue to embrace the possibilities.

“Go and wash in the pool if Siloam” are the words of Jesus to the blind man to receive his sight. Often, our healing does not come in the way we expect, prefer, or worse—at all. Then what? This episode continues cultivating faith for this existential journey on earth by 1. Continuing to acknowledge the realities of life being a struggle; 2. Identify what increases our suffering; and 3. How to begin to relate objectively to our pain, traumas, and disillusionment in this life? After all, the gem is in the rough meaning that diamonds found in nature are rough and uneven. So, it is with our lives. Join us as we continue to embrace the possibilities.

The "rough is mental." How we relate to our disillusionment, hurts, disappointments, and hardships cultivates the faith to "see it through." Listen to this episode to look at:

1. How and why we are subject to the fallenness (existentialism) of this world.
2. How to relate or respond by recognizing the freedom that is yours to find uniqueness in oneself; thus, the meaning for your life.

Let's continue to embrace the possibilities to cultivate faith for the journey.

Many times, we (me) have been afraid to move toward God--doubt, unbelief, pain, hurt, and scars keep us bound. But God moves towards us through those "things." There's a transformation that takes place and is ongoing, especially through the "things" that happen. Join us as we face "Life Hurts" head-on. We continue to look at the "existential things", practices that cultivate faith, through the "exceptions."

Many times, we (me) have been afraid to move toward God--doubt, unbelief, pain, hurt, and scars keep us bound. But God moves towards us through those "things." There's a transformation that takes place and is ongoing, especially through the "things" that happen. Join us as we face "Life Hurts" head-on. We continue to look at the "existential things", practices that cultivate faith, and the "exceptions."