Fireside Talk Radio

Educator and co-host Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to talk about being fearless in the face of failure. True Grit isn’t about being extra brave or stubborn. Okay, maybe it’s a little bit of raw stubbornness. But, really true grit is about being fearless in the face of failure. How do we teach our children to get back up when they fall down? Whether its potty training toddlers or standing up for what is right, we all need a little fearlessness to face down our momentary challenges. Life demands true grit out of all of us along the way. If you're wondering how to process all that's happening on our culture, you're going to love what Anna shares about inspiring true grit in our kids everyday.

Dr. Stan Ward joins Cathy to offer some practical advice from his own experience with managing home, work, and caregiving, all simultaneously. Many people think burn-out is a work thing, but, um, there’s more to the story. So, how do we refuel our hearts when burn-out strikes? If you’re sputtering for air, Stan points out there’s no shame in burn-out. Stan gives great advice from his own personal experience with burn-out. Plus, he comes at it from a scientific, data-driven perspective because the guy's , well, really smart. Don't miss this episode for the encouragement we all really need to restore our joy!

You could say Dr. Stan Ward is an accidental expert on burn-out. “When our school receptionist met me with a worried look as I came to work, I knew something was wrong,” he writes in an article for Crosswalk, “‘Stan, Mindy's been in an accident.’” Stan joins Cathy to talk about how life as he knew it came to a crashing halt. Soon, he was caring for their two young daughters, making meals, doing laundry, working full time, finishing his doctorate, and going to therapy with his beloved wife. Phew! Stan shares about beating burn out from his personal experience. If life's got you running ragged, you don't want to miss this!

Paula Silva joins Cathy to talk about how we can be there for sisters who face domestic violence.She offers us lots of practical wisdom, including how we can make the church a safe place for folks to get help. Paula has made it her mission to help churches educate themselves, but she'll tell you it's God doing all the work! If you love your church and want to start a healthy conversation on this difficult topic, you'll love what Paula shares. Don't miss this information-packed episode with one of the nation's leading authorities on the subject of domestic violence, especially in the church.

National expert on domestic violence Paula Silva joins Cathy to talk about what we need to know to be alert. She includes a chilling reaction by her pastor when she shared with him about the domestic violence she experienced in her home. There is a warning in her story for all of us who love God and love His Church. How can we be on guard against domestic violence—the silent attack—especially in the church pews? Paula’s story informs us on how to help those who need to break free.

For Mother's Day, Cathy and her daughter, Anna Krafve Pierce, get together to talk about how hospitable hearts bless everyone! All women struggle with feeling unworthy. We hear this over and over in interviews with amazing successful women who’ve conquered tons of stuff. So how do we offer our own hearts the same kind of welcome we want to give others? By welcoming others into our hearts and lives. Our children become more confident when they see the value God puts on all people. Anna gets really practical about how that looks in our daily lives, especially when friendships don't work out the way we expected. She even includes games and hilarious questions to teach your teenagers so they can start up great conversations, like, what to ask your prom date! Listen in now!

Petticoats showing? Spinach in your teeth? Tammy Whitehurst joins Cathy to laugh about the real struggles all women face. The temptation to look perfect is real. However, perfectionism doesn’t make people run to you. It’s going to make people run from you. “When loneliness builds up, anxiety will creep in. What happens is we fall into a comparison trap.” It can feel like somehow God overlooked us. “We have to stop worrying about being bulletproof,” emphasizes Tammy. “We can’t take everything the world heaps upon us.” How do we honor God's divinity in our humanity? Don’t miss what this hilarious, tender lady has to say!

Ever wonder if you suffer from “Marth-itis,” not arthritis? Joy for the Journey’s Tammy Whitehurst joins Cathy to laugh together about life’s challenges. Tammy shares how a heart incident in her 30s got her attention. “The Lord began to change my heart,” she says. He put her on a path of influence and collaboration she never could have anticipated. She shares how successful women everywhere can find the “calm in the chaos”! If your goal today is to finish strong, you’ll love what this hilarious lady shares!

Cathy welcomes Ashley Kutach, author of the book Blind Spots: What We Don't Know Can Hurt Us. Revealing a common trend among leaders, Ashley shares the best ways to release ourselves from the negative affects of stereotyping. She talks about how to overcome blind spots with self-awareness. She gives her quick list of questions to pinpoint the way blind spots may be holding us back. If you've ever wondered how to know the difference between self awareness and perfectionism, you're going to love Ashley's simple diagnosis!

Blind Spot author Ashley Kutach shares how trying out a new skill set can spark new confidence. Stereotyped by her natural shyness as a child, she accidentally volunteered to do some public speaking in elementary school. What a transformative experience! Now she specializes in coaching other leaders, bringing all her human resource and facilitating experience to bear for us in this episode. Thinking of trying something new? Her thoughts on the way we develop self-awareness will encourage you to step out into your next venture! Don't miss the gentle encouragement offered by this tender-hearted, wise leader!

Toie Martin joins Cathy to break down the 5 steps of all change. “Once I say them, you’re going to say, ‘dah,’” she jokes. But, honestly, I learned a ton from this gifted teacher, business consultant, speaker, and trained nurse. Toie noticed the five steps underlying all change while she was implementing Lean Six Sigma in multimillion dollar companies overseas. Now she's sharing about to get past our brain's natural aversion to change. No one should live joylessly living paycheck to paycheck. With humor, she shares a lifetime of wisdom about creating the life you always wanted. I you're ready to make a lasting positive change, don't miss her wonderful insight!

Leadership guru and change expert Toie Martin joins Cathy to talk about how to go from your dreadful to your dreamy job. When Toie got her first bad boss after loving nursing for over ten years, she knew it was time for a change. She can laugh about it now, but at the time change felt scary. Have you ever felt stuck in your job? What about relationships going off course no matter how hard you try? Toie even encourages Cathy about weight lost and regained. If you're looking to make positive change with lasting impact, don't miss this episode!

Cathy gleans ideas from Anna about taking your family camping the easy way. Do you like air conditioning and real bathrooms? Do you dread gearing up for a camp out? Or do you go all in with enthusiasm? No matter how you feel about camping, Anna and Cathy offer up the quick and easy way to give your children memories for a lifetime! Cathy shares her silly bunkbed hammock idea and confesses she failed at camping. Anna talks about the memories and the fun in spite of her mom's mess ups. Do you have what it takes to camp with your kids? Yes! Camping is easier than you may think!

Blogger Caralyn from BeautyBeyondBones.com joins Cathy to talk about how families and churches need to talk about eating disorders. Caralyn shares all the wisdom she's gained personally in this open conversation about the ways anorexia affects sufferers. These two compassionate women talk boldly about the symptoms and much more. How can Christians bring up such a tender subject at home or at church? If someone you know seems to be suffering, don't wait. People need to take quick action to help. Listen in as Caralyn shares important information here.

Ever wonder if true love is only a fairy tale? Anna joins Cathy to brainstorm ways we can instill loyalty and faithfulness into the hearts of our children. No matter the age of your kids, these ideas will put them on the path to true love. Don't miss the fun as this mother and daughter combo share stories and insight about what it takes to raise kiddos prepared to love for a lifetime. Plus, Anna shares hilarious and easy ways to bless the man in your life this Valentine's Day. How to define romance to fit your family's lifestyle? Don't miss her answers!

Known for her soul-baring blog, BeautyBeyondBones's Caralyn joins Cathy to talk about Anorexia. “Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses," she declares. In this episode, she shares the spiritual battle to get victory in the face of an eating disorder. If you suspect someone you love is suffering from an eating disorder, don’t wait to get help. Truly, sufferers need to be under professional care immediately, according to Caralyn. She shares her own story with courage, compassion, and wisdom. If you or someone you love is affected by anorexia, please listen in now to this tender conversation.

Can't put the book down til it's finished? We get it! Anna Krafve Pierce joins her mom to talk about how her beloved grandmother, Ann Primer, inspired flashlight readers for four generations and counting. If you've ever been tempted to keep reading after curfew, you're gonna laugh along with these two incorrigible bibliophiles! Want some fresh tips on inspiring your own kiddos and grands to love books as much as you do? Tune in as these two ladies dish about all things literary!

Retired pastor James Dill, founder of The Shepherd's Heart, joins Cathy with tips forfending trustworthy friends and mentors. Filled with personal stories, Pastor James even shares the vulnerable moment when, after years of serving in ministry, he realized he still needed to forgive his dad. He's convinced burn out and discouragement are trials that face us all as we pursue the calling God has on our lives. You'll love the victorious end of the story about his dad (especially here at the holidays with family time approaching (looming? wink, wink!). His wisdom refreshes and energizes us for the victory God prepares for us today!

Who lives in Sunday school classrooms?! Retired Pastor James Dill, Founder of The Shepherd's Heart, joins Cathy to tell personal stories from a lifetime of leadership. He's convinced everyone faces discouragement and burn-out, especially those who follow a calling from the Lord. Pastor James shares candidly about how lay leaders and pastors can come together to spread blessings all across American communities. If you're wondering what you can do to promote unity and compassion in your community, you'll love what this good man shares!

Want a little holiday romance under your tree this year? Romance novelist and expert Catherine Ulrich Brakefield joins Cathy to talk about how commitment sparks up romance in the real world! Can true love still happen? You bet! Catherine shares her insight about what it takes to create a tug-of-war, give-and-take love story worth fighting for. You'll love what this skillful writer has to say about creating the environment where love lasts a lifetime. Prepare to be encouraged!