Send us a text What happens when life's disappointments lead to unexpected blessings? Lupita Navarrete never imagined she'd make history as Ector County's first Hispanic District Clerk, but her journey through divorce, single motherhood, and professional setbacks prepared her for exactly this role. The conversation begins with Lupita sharing how her nine-year-old son motivates everything she does, though "he has no idea the impact he's made in my life." As a recovering people-pleaser, she discus...
Jun 25, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Send us a text Breaking free from people pleasing isn't just about learning to say no—it's about reclaiming your authentic self after years of self-abandonment. As someone who recently emerged from the clutches of prioritizing everyone else's needs and opinions, I've discovered that the journey doesn't end when you make the decision to change. The residue of people pleasing lingers in unexpected ways. You might still shrink yourself even when you have valuable insights to share. You could feel r...
Jun 20, 2025•23 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Send us a text What does motherhood really mean when you don't have children of your own? I'm diving into this question from my personal perspective as a married woman without kids who's still figuring out if biological parenthood is part of my journey. The biblical instruction to "be fruitful and multiply" often gets brought up in conversations about having children. But looking deeper, I've found powerful meaning by breaking it down: "be" (to exist), "fruitful" (exhibiting the fruits of the sp...
May 23, 2025•9 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Send us a text What happens when a mother who was told she'd never conceive defies the odds, only to face the devastating loss of a pregnancy and spiral into addiction? In this heart-wrenching yet hopeful episode, guest April Morales bares her soul about her complex journey through motherhood. April's story begins with a PCOS diagnosis and doctors telling her childbearing would be impossible. When she miraculously conceived at 25, one year into sobriety, it seemed life had turned around. But aft...
May 15, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Send us a text When Savannah Woodward met her firefighter husband nine years ago, she never imagined how deeply his profession would shape their family life. From navigating 48-hour shifts to explaining daddy's absence to their curious 4-year-old son, the challenges of a first responder family require constant adaptation and unwavering faith. Savannah's journey took an unexpected turn when they relocated to West Texas with their one-year-old son. "I was so against moving here," she admits, feari...
May 09, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Send us a text The journey of motherhood doesn't come with an instruction manual, but it does come with guides along the way. In this heartwarming conversation, host Yanni welcomes her great-aunt Mari Spivey Willis to share wisdom gleaned from raising two daughters and now cherishing five grandchildren. Mari opens her heart about becoming a mother at 35, when she brought home her first daughter and thought, "Now what?" With disarming honesty, she reveals how she navigated the uncertainties of pa...
May 02, 2025•47 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Send us a text Autism doesn't come with a handbook. When Lexi first noticed her son Alexander spinning repetitively at six months old, she had no idea she was witnessing early signs of autism. Despite mentioning these behaviors to doctors, it would be months before medical professionals validated her concerns. Today, Lexi opens her heart about raising Alexander (affectionately called "Brother"), a non-verbal kindergartner on the autism spectrum, alongside her daughter Adeline, who faced her own ...
Apr 24, 2025•59 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Send us a text Aaron Thomas joins Yanni for a profoundly honest conversation about living authentically and protecting your mental health. The episode opens with Aaron sharing his unique perspective on motivation—acknowledging life's finite nature pushes him to maximize each day and fulfill his purpose. "My motivation comes from my fear of dying and not doing all that God has called me to do," he reveals, setting the tone for a discussion that moves beyond surface-level advice. The conversation ...
Apr 18, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Send us a text "No pasa nada" – a simple Spanish phrase that means "nothing is happening" or "it's going to be okay" serves as the powerful life motto for our guest, Nidia Soriano. This philosophy has carried her through life's most challenging moments, transforming what initially appeared as devastating setbacks into divine redirections. Nidia opens up about the multifaceted approach she takes toward mental wellness – from tapping techniques and journaling to prayer and therapy. She and host Ya...
Apr 10, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Send us a text What happens when you stop trying to fix everyone and everything around you? In this deeply personal conversation, Cinda shares her transformative journey from an 18-year-old mother with limited horizons to becoming a respected community leader who's found her purpose in serving others. "You can only do your part" – these six simple words changed everything for Cinda. After years of trying to control outcomes and fix situations beyond her influence, this realization freed her to f...
Apr 04, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Send us a text When faced with life's challenges, knowing which battles to fight can transform everything. In this deeply personal conversation, Esmeralda—a single mother of two teenagers and owner of HMS Fitness—shares how learning to pick her battles became her guiding life philosophy. "You don't have to fight with everything you don't agree with," she explains, revealing how this mindset preserved her energy and sanity while navigating single parenthood, building a business, and healing from ...
Mar 28, 2025•52 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Send us a text Reagan Saffel from Odessa College joins host Yanni for a heartfelt conversation about navigating life's disappointments and finding unexpected blessings along the way. What begins as a casual chat quickly evolves into a profound exploration of purpose, perspective, and personal growth. When rejection hit Reagan hard—missing out on promotions and failing to get into physical therapy school—she found herself in a mental health struggle that many listeners will recognize. The turning...
Mar 21, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text Andy Gutierrez drops wisdom bombs about personal accountability and growth in this transformative episode. A business owner, pastor, and ultra-marathon runner (yes, he's completed 100-mile races!), Andy shares his powerful life philosophy: "Don't complain about something you aren't willing to fix." Throughout our conversation, Andy unpacks how this principle applies to every area of life. From fitness goals to marriage relationships, career advancement to mental health—countless p...
Mar 14, 2025•59 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us a text The freedom that comes from realizing "You're not meant for everyone" can be utterly life-changing. Returning for Season 4 of Standing in Your Truth, newly-married host Yanni Thomas explores this powerful life motto that liberated her from the prison of people-pleasing. Yanni vulnerably shares how she would shrink her naturally bubbly, kind, and admittedly loud personality around certain people, attempting to contort herself into whatever shape would gain their approval. This patt...
Mar 07, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Send us a text What if reconnecting with family could change your life? This episode is a warm journey through my recent experiences, from an uplifting return to school at Odessa Community College to the heartwarming joy of a family reunion. Hear about the unique benefits of the Presidential Positive OC Scholarship and how its emphasis on community service and positivity has been a game-changer for me. I also share a rough Monday turned bright thanks to an inspiring positivity-focused meeting, w...
Sep 27, 2024•16 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Send us a text What if your biggest challenges could lead to your greatest growth? In this powerful season premiere of "Standing in Your Truth," I share my personal journey of navigating life's tough moments and the profound growth that followed. Inspired by the TV show SWAT, we'll explore the importance of a supportive inner circle and how to distinguish between friends, associates, and acquaintances. You'll hear firsthand how setting boundaries has helped me refine my support network to create...
Jun 17, 2024•19 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Send us a text Sometimes life throws a curveball, and you find yourself stepping up to the plate in ways you hadn't imagined; this rang true for me, Yanni, as I planned this season's episodes. Expecting to share the spotlight with family and friends, I was nudged by unforeseen rescheduling to embrace the solo journey, realizing my own stories held a wealth of wisdom waiting to be uncovered. As I take you through this heartfelt revelation, you'll hear about the profound experiences that reinforce...
Feb 19, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Send us a text Saying farewell to 2023 was like closing a profound chapter in my book of life, one that taught me the art of self-assertion and the power of letting go. As I, Yanni, sit down to share these transformative lessons, you'll be touched by the tree analogy that reshaped my perspective on relationships—identifying those who are leaves, branches, or the roots in our lives. This episode will strike a chord with anyone grappling with the complexity of human connections, ego, and pride. I ...
Dec 29, 2023•15 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how a seasoned educator navigates the challenges of teaching in today's world? Take a seat with us as we engage with Angela Love Jackson, a dedicated teacher with 29 years of experience. Angela takes us through her riveting journey, sharing her experience of teaching US history, adapting her approach to diverse student groups, and discussing her family's educational background that influenced her career. Angela doesn't just stop at sharing her personal journ...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 37 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Send us a text Imagine navigating the complex terrain of your professional life with clarity, confidence, and a deep sense of purpose. Picture yourself being able to set boundaries, avoiding burnout, and remaining resilient in the face of obstacles. Join me as I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with seasoned professionals, Kaylie Banda and Savannah Woodward. They share their rich experiences, insights on career paths, growth mindset, and the art of setting boundaries to avoid burnout. ...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Send us a text Join us for an honest conversation with Catherine and ShaRaye as we explore the nuances of personal growth, self-care, and parenthood. We share our personal experiences and how they've shaped us differently, especially in approaching motherhood. We delve into the dynamic world of CrossFit, how it has helped us channel aggression, and our evolving self-care routines deeply rooted in faith. We tackle the challenges of single motherhood and dating, sharing how we manage these complex...
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Send us a text Ready for a transformation? My dear friend Monita and I shed light on an often overlooked aspect of obedience, and its role in faith and fitness. Discover how embracing this challenging act can lead to discipline and life-altering changes. Get ready for a journey into my 75-day challenge, a blend of workouts, reading, dieting, and hydration. The roads may be rough, especially on weekends, but trust us when we say, the beauty of completing the challenge is worth every sweat drop. T...
Aug 25, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Send us a text Meet the dynamic Mariah DeArmond, a young entrepreneur with a unique fusion of baking and painting in her dreams. We dive deep into her aspirations, and venture into her views on generational differences, the importance of resilience, and the role perspective plays when facing rejection. The conversation takes a meaningful turn as Mariah shares a season of life that profoundly impacted her spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. We unpack the transformative power of her faith, the...
Aug 18, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Send us a text What does it take to make a real difference in the world? Our captivating guest, Hannah Horick, shares her story of pushing boundaries in the non-profit sector and politics. Striving to create connection and impact change, Hannah highlights how taking care of herself has been instrumental in her journey. From prioritizing therapy to indulging in hobbies like playing the violin, she’s not shy about the importance of self-care in her life. Hannah's story takes an unexpected turn as ...
Jul 28, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Send us a text You know life be lifing, but God be Goding! Support the show Standing In Your Truth Podcast with Yanni Thomas https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kcug7eVXX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Jun 25, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Send us a text What are you spreading across your community? I challenge you to spread kindness! “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” Proverbs 21:21 Support the show Standing In Your Truth Podcast with Yanni Thomas https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kcug7eVXX/?mibextid=wwXIfr...
May 26, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Send us a text There is something so sweet about a mother's Love. In this episode, I get to discuss this with the beautiful Terry family. Happy Mother’s Day everyone. Support the show Standing In Your Truth Podcast with Yanni Thomas https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kcug7eVXX/?mibextid=wwXIfr...
May 12, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Send us a text It's very easy to see how cool or amazing everyone else is, but when is the last time you realized that you too are cool and amazing? Support the show Standing In Your Truth Podcast with Yanni Thomas https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kcug7eVXX/?mibextid=wwXIfr...
May 05, 2023•13 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Send us a text This topic is one that so many people are dealing with. In this episode, I sit down with four brave woman who are ready to educate us all. Support the show Standing In Your Truth Podcast with Yanni Thomas https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kcug7eVXX/?mibextid=wwXIfr...
Apr 28, 2023•2 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Send us a text In life we all need to be reminded to just keep going! In the Episode Chef Yvette tells her very inspiring story, and reminds us to just keep going because it’s bigger than us! Support the show Standing In Your Truth Podcast with Yanni Thomas https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kcug7eVXX/?mibextid=wwXIfr...
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 2Ep. 12
