On The GoodHard Story Podcast, we believe the good story and the hard story can be the same story. Host Katherine Wolf—stroke survivor, speaker, author, and dis...
Episode 86: Walking Away from Shame (Book Preview)
Today I’m sharing one of my favorite chapters of a book I’ve ever written. Several years ago, my husband Jay and I released a book calledSuffer Strong. It’s all about how we were able to survive anything because we were willing to redefine everything—from failure to trauma to commitment. Even beauty. That’s the chapter you’re about to hear.Before my stroke, I had never put too much focus on the way I looked. But once my face became paralyzed and my body lost a lot of its typical function, I had no choice but to confront the deep-down story of beauty that I had been told…and believed. After years of grappling with that story, I came to understand that it’s actually a story about fear, control, and shame. The truest beauty, it turns out, comes from putting down the shame and embracing our belovedness.If you’re ready to trade in your old definitions of beauty and start living in freedom, I pray hearing these words invite you to take the first step in walking away from shame.Suffer Strong - https://a.co/d/8DKyzM7There's so much more to the story.For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visithttps://hopeheals.com/katherine.Follow me in Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664bebWant a little hope in your inbox? Sign up for the Hope Note, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet’s most redemptive content:https://hopeheals.com/hopenoteGet to know us:Hope Heals:https://hopeheals.com/Hope Heals Camp:https://hopeheals.com/campMend Coffee:https://www.mendcoffee.org/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/
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43:01
Episode 85: My New Way of Understanding Beauty with Brook Hensley
I’m going to make a big claim: This will probably be the most sweeping, inspiring conversation on beauty you’ll hear in your life. I say this with such confidence because Brook Hensley changed the way I understand beauty. And she’s about to do the same for you.
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to focus deeply on the story of our beauty and our bodies—what the story is, who is telling it to us, and what needs to change. But before we get into the flesh-and-bones of it all, I want to talk about beauty as a concept. Why, oh why, does it matter to us so much?
That’s where Brook comes in. This brilliant friend of mine is inviting you and me into a surprising and subversive new way of thinking about beauty. Join in on this unmissable conversation to understand…
What the “third way” of beauty means for your life
Why beauty and vanity are not the same thing
How beauty can be an act of resistance and rebellion
If you’re waiting to unlock a mind-blowing expansion of your relationship to beauty, this episode is for you.
Show Notes:
Hope Heals Camp - https://hopeheals.com/camp/
Upcoming speaking events: https://hopeheals.com/upcoming-events
The Soul of Desire by Dr. Curt Thompson - https://a.co/d/0J89OXU
Beauty Will Save the World by Brian Zahnd - https://a.co/d/3N6yPdA
Walter Wink - https://a.co/d/4xjwKxz
“Why It Matters” by Sara Groves - https://www.saragroves.com/song-lyrics/why-it-matters
The Overview Effect - https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/houston-we-have-a-podcast/the-overview-effect/
Earth rise photo - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230511-earthrise-the-photo-that-sparked-an-environmental-movement
Blue marble photo - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Marble
“This Is What I Do To Feel Close To You” by John Guerra - https://youtu.be/nSozD9_vHo0?feature=shared
Andrew Peterson - https://www.andrew-peterson.com/
On Beauty and Being Just by Elaine Scarry - https://a.co/d/bj0RBTC
“The last act is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason.” - T.S. Eliot
Scriptures referenced in this episode:
1 Samuel 14:7
Romans 1:20
Psalm 27:4
Psalm 90:17
Matthew 5:30-41
John 8:12
Matthew 5:14-16
***
There's so much more to the story: Click here for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me!
Follow me in Instagram: @hopeheals
Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Want a little hope in your inbox?
Sign up for the Hope Note, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet’s most redemptive content. Subscribe here.
YouTube Show Notes
There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.
Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/
Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb
Want a little hope in your inbox? Sign up for the Hope Note, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet’s most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote
Get to know us:
Hope Heals: https://hopeheals.com/
Hope Heals Camp: https://hopeheals.com/camp
Mend Coffee: https://www.mendcoffee.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/
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1:20:42
Episode 84: Hope for People-Pleasers and Perfectionists with Caroline Young
Recently I received emails from two people in very different circumstances who were grappling with (essentially) the same question: Who is telling me the story of who I should be?
Their messages struck me so deeply because, for the first half of my life, I asked other people to tell me that story. I desperately wanted to please people by giving them the power over who I was and what I should do. Then I was set free by, of all things, a massive stroke. My new physical limitations meant I was no longer capable of pleasing everyone, all the time.
And neither are you, whether you live with disabilities or not. So let’s get real about it.
We simply cannot go any further into our conversation on identity formation without coming to terms with who we’re trying to please. My teammate Caroline Young is joining me on this week’s episode of The GoodHard Story Podcast to offer a glimmer of hope (and maybe a big deep breath) for all of us people-pleasers and perfectionists. Here’s what we get into:
Discerning God’s conviction from man’s condemnation
My honest opinion on perfect church attendance
Acting out of guilt versus obedience
Identifying the outside influences on our self-image
If you want to prioritize pleasing God over pleasing people, this episode is for you!
Show Notes:
I Shall Not Want by Audrey Assaud - https://youtu.be/e5xEYgGr6ms
Star for Jesus and Other Jobs I Quite by Kim Stuart - https://a.co/d/4GnHtlN
Scriptures referenced in this episode:
Hosea 6:3
***
There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.
Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/
Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb
Want a little hope in your inbox? Sign up for the Hope Note, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet’s most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote
Get to know us:
Hope Heals: https://hopeheals.com/
Hope Heals Camp: https://hopeheals.com/camp
Mend Coffee: https://www.mendcoffee.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/
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50:25
Episode 83: How I Re-imagined My Calling with Susan Robinson
If you think your calling is collateral damage in the hurt and hardship you’ve experienced, I understand how you’re feeling. The work I’m doing now looks nothing like the dreams I had for my life. But now, I can’t imagine dreaming up anything better.
Today on The GoodHard Story Podcast we’re covering one of my all-time favorite topics: how our limitations—rather than our strengths—invite us to lean into God’s calling for our lives. Give me 45 minutes of your day and I’ll give you a new way of approaching your purpose. I’m sharing how you can…
Figure out what your “creative best” actually is
Take radical responsibility of your story
Allow your calling to evolve and grow
Dream new dreams for your life
Find clarity through your boundaries
If you need fresh vision for the good purpose in your hard story, this episode is for you.
Show Notes:
Treasures in the Dark Entry 46: Dreaming New Dreams - https://a.co/d/4n1npsd
“The most progress we can make is turning around” - C.S. Lewis
Scriptures referenced in this episode:
Psalm 16:6
John 3:30
Galatians 6:4-5
Romans 8:28
Ephesians 4:1
***
There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.
Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/
Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb
Want a little hope in your inbox? Sign up for the Hope Note, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet’s most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote
Get to know us:
Hope Heals: https://hopeheals.com/
Hope Heals Camp: https://hopeheals.com/camp
Mend Coffee: https://www.mendcoffee.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/
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40:59
Episode 82: Being Refined and Redefined with Lysa TerKeurst
How could it be true that God withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly?
I spent years trying to make God’s ways align with my definition of goodness, but nothing ever seemed to click. Finally, I realized I actually needed to redefine what goodness meant to me. It was not an easy process, let me tell you, but it has formed me for the better.
My friend Lysa has been on the same journey of redefining everything in a life that has upended every expectation she had. While our pain has taken completely different forms, she is my sister in suffering whose extraordinary character has been formed by hardship, not in spite of it. No one is more qualified to coach us on identity formation than Lysa TerKeurst.
I’m inspired and challenged by who she is today and who she is still becoming, and I think you will be too. You do not want to miss out on the goodness and grit today episode of The GoodHard Story Podcast. Here’s just a preview of what you’ll take away:
Identifying shame scripts in your life
What to do with the things that will never make sense to you
Making space for the sweetness of the unexpected
Selecting your soul’s board of directors
If you’re ready to become better instead of bitter because of your heartbreak, this episode is for you.
Show Notes:
Therapy and Theology Podcast - https://lysaterkeurst.com/therapy-and-theology/
I Want to Trust You, But I Don't by Lysa TerKeurst - https://a.co/d/2Q6mHfK
Lysa’s TikTok dance in New York - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDTBG8np6mm/
Scriptures referenced in this episode:
2 Corinthians 1:4
Psalm 84:11
***
There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.
Follow me in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/
Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb
Want a little hope in your inbox? Sign up for the Hope Note, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet’s most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote
Get to know us:
Hope Heals: https://hopeheals.com/
Hope Heals Camp: https://hopeheals.com/camp
Mend Coffee: https://www.mendcoffee.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/
On The GoodHard Story Podcast, we believe the good story and the hard story can be the same story. Host Katherine Wolf—stroke survivor, speaker, author, and disability advocate—is inviting you to join her in discovering the treasures hidden in our hurting. Sit in on candid conversations with Katherine, the Hope Heals team, and some beloved guests as they work out what it means to wholeheartedly live a good/hard life. Katherine is a defining voice of our time, so you don’t want to miss her hard-won insights on the places where pain and joy can co-exist. We are so excited to welcome you to The GoodHard Story Podcast!