The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days To close out Smart Girl Summer, I’m bringing you a powerhouse conversation that’ll change how you show up online. I’m sitting down with my brilliant coaching client and social media strategist extraordinaire, Abby Kuykendall , to spill the tea on what’s actually working—and what’s quietly crashing and burning. Abby’s been deep in the trenches, testing strategies, experimenting with content, and navigating platforms like a pro. She’s here to give us...
Aug 18, 2025•27 min•Ep. 433
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days! Let me tell you something that might surprise you: Real resilience doesn’t start with pushing through. It begins when you permit yourself to pull back. I know that goes against everything the world shouts at us—“ Strong women don’t quit! ” However, sometimes what we call strength is merely survival mode in disguise. We’ve worn exhaustion like a badge of honor, powering through every storm as if it’s the only way to prove we’re tough enough. But he...
Aug 14, 2025•17 min•Ep. 432
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days! Welcome back to Smart Girl Summer! Today, we’re spotlighting one of the most inspiring women I know— Anna Graham , founder of Homzie Designs and a powerhouse coaching client of mine. Anna’s not just building a brand—she’s designing a movement. In this episode, we’re sharing her journey from idea spark to booming business, breaking down what it’s really like working with a coach, and revealing social media strategies that are changing the game. In ...
Aug 11, 2025•34 min•Ep. 431
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days ! Maybe you wake up tired. You drag yourself through the day, wondering where your energy wandered off to. That second cup of coffee? It’s more like a broken promise. And the habits that used to get you through? They’re just not cutting it anymore. If you’ve ever whispered to yourself, “I just need to get back on track,” let me stop you right there. You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re a whole human navigating a noisy world, just like many ot...
Aug 07, 2025•16 min•Ep. 430
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Today on Smart Girl Summer , I’m joined by the one and only Sophie Hudson — author, speaker, podcaster, and undisputed queen of Southern wit. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can I actually make a living doing what I love?” or “Will my book idea really resonate?” — this episode is your answer and your affirmation. We’re pulling back the curtain on the real-deal podcasting business model — no fluff, no hype, just straight-up strategy and truth. Want...
Aug 04, 2025•33 min•Ep. 429
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Today, we're tackling something sneaky but powerful—your inner narrative. You know, that running commentary in your mind that acts like it's just passing thoughts? Yeah, no. It's your brain's favorite one-act play, and it's been on repeat for years. Stuff like: " I'm just not good with money. " " I always mess things up. " " I'm the strong one—holding everyone together while quietly unraveling ." Those thoughts might feel familiar, but guess what?...
Jul 31, 2025•23 min•Ep. 428
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Today on Smart Girl Summer, I’m joined by the incredible Becky Thompson —bestselling author and one of the most authentic voices of our generation. Her books, Hope Unfolding and God So Close , have reached millions with their heartfelt truth and undeniable grace. Becky has this beautiful way of showing up right in the middle of the mess and gently pointing women back to the heart of God. She’s not just another voice online—she’s a soul leader, a d...
Jul 28, 2025•27 min•Ep. 427
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Here’s the good news: You don’t need to hustle harder. You’re not lazy. You’ve just been trying to live without a map—and most women I meet? They’re surviving on duct-taped plans and sheer grit, not thriving on purpose. I’ve been there. For years, my “weekly plan” looked like a frenzied scrawl on a crumpled Target receipt written with whatever eyeliner I found in the bottom of my purse. If you’ve ever used a diaper coupon as your calendar, you’re ...
Jul 24, 2025•15 min•Ep. 426
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days Today on Smart Girl Summer, I'm sitting down with my brilliant friend Jenni Catron —leadership guru, author, and the woman behind the Foresight Group, who'll make you rethink every meeting you've ever sat through. Jenni doesn't just teach leadership—she lives it with clarity, conviction, and a whole lot of heart. She's here to help us ditch burnout culture and lead with intention (without losing our sanity or soul in the process). We're talking abo...
Jul 21, 2025•37 min•Ep. 425
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days Let me guess. Your eyes aren't even fully open, and your brain is already in a sprint. You've got emails dinging, texts stacking, and notifications shouting for your attention before you've even had your first sip of coffee. Welcome to survival mode. I've been there, and I know how overwhelming it can be. We wake up and immediately start reacting—scrolling, checking, answering, spinning. And it's not just the big stuff. Somehow, that group chat abo...
Jul 17, 2025•17 min•Ep. 424
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Today I’m joined by Amy Seiffert —pastor, author, seminary student, and mama who’s juggling ministry, motherhood, and manuscripts like a boss (and with a whole lot of grace). She has lived through seasons that refined her and taught her what perseverance truly looks like. And lucky us—she’s bringing all that wisdom to the table. Ever wondered what the road to becoming a published author looks like—not the Instagram-filtered version, but the gritty...
Jul 14, 2025•33 min•Ep. 423
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Let me ruffle a few feathers real quick: Hard work isn’t the issue. Direction is. If pure hustle were the magic ticket to success, every deadline-smashing, all-nighter-pulling powerhouse would be running the show. But we’re not. Instead, we’re grinding like a one-legged cat in a sandbox (seriously, think about that visual) and still wondering why it feels like we’re going nowhere fast. You've achieved a great deal in your career, and on paper, it ...
Jul 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 422
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. What does it really take to build a powerful, lasting career as a Christian writer and speaker? Today on Smart Girl Summer, I'm joined by one of my heroes— Margaret Feinberg . She's a bestselling author, beloved Bible teacher, and one of the first women who helped crack the door open for the rest of us in ministry. And I don't take that lightly. With more than 25 years of wisdom ( and a few hilarious stories along the way ), Margaret gets real abo...
Jul 07, 2025•33 min•Ep. 421
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. I opened my phone to "just check one thing," and suddenly, I was 20 minutes deep in the same echo chamber of highlight reels and hot takes. Everyone's shouting their wins, sharing their "expertise," and looking oh-so-confident doing it. But the women I actually know? The brilliant, wise, faith-filled world changers who are raising babies, running businesses, and serving with their whole hearts? Crickets. And here's the thing—it's not because they ...
Jul 03, 2025•18 min•Ep. 420
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. You’re in for a treat today, my friend—because we are diving headfirst into the world of big laughs and even bigger dreams. Today’s guest is none other than the fearless and fabulous Jen Fulwiler —bestselling author, stand-up comedian, and powerhouse mama who’s blazing trails ( and cracking jokes ) in the unlikeliest of places. She’s smart, sassy, and unfiltered—in the best way. From the moment Jen picks up the mic, she’s not just cracking jokes—s...
Jun 30, 2025•42 min•Ep. 419
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. The way we work is shifting faster than ever. Titles might stay the same, but underneath, everything is changing. Whether you're part of a corporate structure, managing your own business, or navigating the freelance world, the rules of work are being redefined in real-time. But take a moment to breathe—you don't need to panic or question your entire professional identity. You don't need to resort to hiding under your desk with a bag of Doritos (al...
Jun 26, 2025•20 min•Ep. 418
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Today on Smart Girl Summer , I'm joined by my brilliant and beautiful friend Mary Marantz . She went from Yale Law to full-time photographer to best-selling author—and let me tell you, her story is a masterclass in trusting God with the pivots. We're talking about how to build a business that means something, what it looks like to rewrite your story while you're still in the middle of it, and why sometimes the door that slams in your face might be...
Jun 23, 2025•42 min•Ep. 417
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Here is a truth most people avoid: Just because it's familiar doesn't mean it's faithful to your future. That friendship where you're the unpaid therapist? That group you got guilt-tripped into joining faster than you could say, "I guess I can help"? That job that drains your soul every Sunday night, just thinking about Monday morning? Yep. That. You don't need a crisis to walk away. You don't need a round of applause to choose peace. But since I'...
Jun 19, 2025•17 min•Ep. 416
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Welcome back to Smart Girl Summer ! Today, I’m sitting down with the incredible Annie F. Downs , a best-selling author, podcaster, speaker, and Enneagram enthusiast, for a powerhouse conversation you won’t want to miss. We’re two Enneagram Sevens pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to build a thriving business and grow a platform, without losing yourself in the process. You know those glossy success stories that make it all look ...
Jun 16, 2025•47 min•Ep. 415
The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Do you know what’s quietly stealing your joy, keeping you small, and making sure everyone else’s needs come first, while yours barely make the list? Being low maintenance. Yep, I said it. Somewhere along the way, we got the message: don’t ask for much, don’t rock the boat, and definitely don’t be “difficult.” But let’s get real—that’s not a virtue. That’s a survival strategy we learned to keep the peace, and it’s keeping us stuck. Today, I’m calli...
Jun 12, 2025•16 min•Ep. 414
Welcome back to Smart Girl Summer ! Today, I’m sitting down with my coaching client and dear friend, Kelly Pelfrey — a wildly gifted artist whose work is as breathtaking as her story. I call her the modern Monet ( even though it makes her blush ). Since we started working together, Kelly has tripled her income, discovered her creative rhythm, and built a business that honors both her art and her well-being. Her success is a reassuring sign that you can find a balance between passion and profit—y...
Jun 09, 2025•40 min•Ep. 413
What if your exhaustion isn't due to laziness or a lack of motivation but because you've unknowingly become the overworked, unpaid CEO of everyone's life? You're not alone in feeling this way. You're not tired because you're weak. You're exhausted because you're carrying the weight of multiple lives, including a golden retriever, and the emotional burden of your group chat, while rage-washing dishes, whispering, "It's fine" through clenched teeth. Let's be real. Overfunctioning isn't sustainable...
Jun 05, 2025•18 min•Ep. 412
Today, we’re diving into part two of my powerful conversation with Dr. Nicole Cain, and let me tell you—this is one you don’t want to miss. Our first episode was so packed with wisdom and life-changing advice that we had to break it into two full sessions. Dr. Nicole Cain is a licensed naturopathic doctor and clinical psychologist who blends holistic health, modern psychology, and practical tools to help you heal from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt stuck in anxiety, overwhelmed by stress, o...
Jun 01, 2025•28 min•Ep. 411
We live in a world where connection is everywhere—our notifications buzz with likes, comments, and DMs. And yet, why does it still feel like something’s missing? Why do we scroll through highlight reels, surrounded by digital admiration, yet still feel unseen at the end of the day? Here’s what we rarely admit: we don’t need more people in our lives; we need deeper connections. The type of connections where you can be yourself—messy bun, tired eyes, no filters—and feel confident in being loved. T...
May 29, 2025•18 min•Ep. 410
Today's guest is an absolute powerhouse— Dr. Nicole Cain . If you've ever felt trapped by anxiety, overwhelmed by emotions, or stuck in patterns you just can't shake, this episode is going to be a game-changer. Dr. Cain is a licensed naturopathic doctor and clinical psychologist who brings holistic health, modern psychology, and practical tools to help you heal from the inside out. She's here to help you break free from cycles of fear and frustration. Dr. Cain shares powerful strategies you can ...
May 26, 2025•37 min•Ep. 410
Let’s get honest about a lie holding too many of us back. Somewhere along the way, we picked up this false idea that humility means shrinking, that dreaming big somehow makes us prideful. But here’s the truth—thinking bigger isn’t prideful, it’s faithful. Playing small doesn’t honor God. Stewarding your gifts—that’s what glorifies Him. So today, we’re tearing down the lie that safe and small equals holy. We’re stepping into the dreams deep in your heart—the ones so bold and beautiful, you almost...
May 22, 2025•16 min•Ep. 409
Oh, I know that feeling—you walk into a room, and suddenly, your mind is racing with doubt. But here’s the truth: You’re not alone and don’t have to stay in doubt. Today, we’re diving into a game-changer—how to read the room so you can swap second-guessing for confidence, clarity, and a calm presence that leads with grace. Dr. Mike Bechtle is here to help us break free from overthinking and finally see the social cues most people miss. It isn’t about performing or pretending—it’s about stepping ...
May 19, 2025•34 min•Ep. 408
I am so excited about today’s episode! We’re diving into a small but mighty habit that can completely transform your day in less than 10 minutes. No big life overhaul, no drastic changes required. You don’t need a new job, house, or a dream vacation to feel better. You need a simple reset—a daily practice that lifts your mood, rewires your brain, and most importantly, draws you closer to God. And here’s the best part: it’s science-backed, spiritually aligned, and ready for you to start today. Th...
May 15, 2025•21 min•Ep. 407
Today’s a “Best Of” episode—and you know I absolutely love these shows. Nothing makes me happier than pulling together the best bits, the moments that resonate, and the wisdom that sticks with us long after we hear it. Now that I’ve done many solo shows, it felt like the perfect time to round up the greatest hits. I’m calling this one: From Stuck to Steady, From Tired to Energized, and From Blah to Bold. Because, let’s be honest, feeling good isn’t just about those fleeting moments of happiness....
May 12, 2025•27 min•Ep. 406
Let’s dive into one of the biggest mistakes people make when setting goals. It’s subtle, frustrating, and the good news is you can fix it today. We all love setting goals, whether pursuing business dreams, achieving fitness targets, or making life-changing resolutions. There’s something powerful about mapping out a plan for the future. But after working with so many driven, faith-filled women, I’ve noticed a common issue: it’s not about lacking motivation or discipline, and it’s not that you’re ...
May 08, 2025•20 min•Ep. 405
