Polished Podcast: Refining The Details Of Life

Sometimes chaos comes into our lives in the form of a sudden and devastating event. We know a heartbreaking event can throw a life into chaos in an instant. Maybe you lost your job, your home or a loved one. It looks different for each of us, but we have all experienced some kind of tragedy in our lives. Neisha Byrd is no stranger to heartbreak as she has lost both of her husband and son. In today’s episode, Neisha shares her story of loss and how she chooses to continue to live a full life despite her pain. We can all learn something about how to navigate the chaos of loss through Neisha’s story. We know loss can feel so isolating, but know you aren’t alone. Neisha Byrd was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin lived there for nine years. Then moved to Illinois for seven years.  In 1983 with her parents she moved to Dallas, Texas. Where she attended College and worked alongside her parents in their family business. Neisha has a divine gift of nurturing and has spent the last 19 years supporting the staff and being “S

Resilience. Sometimes a part of remaining unmoved in chaos is remaining resilient in the face of a devastating event or daily turmoil. In today’s episode, our guest Lucy Gore shares her story of immigrating to the United States and how God was present as she created a home in a new country despite the many challenges she faced. Let us tell you that every part of Lucy Gore’s story embodies resilience in spite of hardship and reliance on a God who saw her even when she was alone with tears streaming down her face. The best news? The same God who saw Lucy everyday sees and loves you too.  Lucy's parents moved her and her sisters from Mexico to Texas in July 1995. Shortly after they arrived they were told her parents were getting a divorce. They were not on vacation (as every summer before!) but they were here to stay. Lucy enrolled in high school as a freshman knowing zero English. 4 years later she graduated top 3% of her class. Lucy was accepted to Texas A&M and given a scholarship, unfortunately she could

Do you ever feel like quitting when things seem completely overwhelming and confusing? You aren’t alone. The reality is that we all have chaos and confusion in our lives. Our relationships and circumstances are in constant flux which often leaves us grasping for stability in some part of our lives. Trust us. Our guest today, @jessiccahonegger, knows what chaos and confusion feels like on a deeply personal level. In today’s episode, Jessica shares about how she has navigated unexpected personal and professional chaos in what was supposed to be a year of pure success. And yet, despite all of the unexpected craziness, Jessica didn’t give up. You’ll feel like Jessica is right there with you as she graciously tells us how to find peace in the midst of the chaos of our lives.  Jessica Honegger is an award-winning social entrepreneur and author of the book Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared. Honegger is the founder and co-CEO of Noonday Collection, a fast-growing social imp

Jessica Rimmer, PhD, has worked in leadership development for over 15 years. As an executive leader, she has given oversight to strategic growth and culture initiatives that improve the engagement and energy of people within the workplace. Dr. Rimmer current serves as a Senior Consultant at GiANT Worldwide, a global content and leadership development company. Prior to GiANT, Dr. Rimmer served as the Vice President for Student Engagement and Success/Corporate Trainer for Mid-America Christian University for a decade. Her work includes w building leadership academy that helped define and distinguish the culture of that organization, helping to drive growth and outcomes. Both her experience and education bolster her ability to help companies analyze their needs and craft unique solutions to address business challenges.Jessica received her Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University from the College of Fine Arts. She went on to earn her Master’s in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma

Abby Hatteberg- Wife to Luke Hatteberg, mama of two little ladies, and Dallas native. Former 4th Grade teacher and Italy dweller, my husband and I started our business, Wayfaren, as a creative outlet in 2012 and became what we like to call accidental entrepreneurs from there. We specialize in high quality, handcrafted keepsakes and have equal parts a love/crazy relationship with working with each other. I spend most of my days hanging out with my built in besities Everlee (4) and Colette (2), running Wayfaren from my bedroom during the naptime hustle, sneaking in time as a proud better beauty advocate with BeautyCounter, and soaking up some time in the Word outside with latte in hand. My happy place in is the first pages of a good book, an impromptu picnic at the park with my crew, wandering the streets of Europe, or dreaming up our next home design project. Connect With Abby  Instagram: @abbyhatt Verses: Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Psalm 42

The future is female.✨ . . Have you heard this phrase before? In 2019, you’ve likely heard it A LOT. Women are standing their ground, taking their place, leaning into their callings, and believing that their contribution to society and the kingdom is absolutely necessary. And although we support women taking their place with with confidence and conviction, we believe that the future isn’t JUST female; the future is male AND female. Kelli Masters talks about this same idea and why it’s important to work together with our brother’s in Christ. She eloquently told us that she believes the future involves men and women working together to achieve a goal. We couldn’t agree more. Kelli is poised, articulate, and grounded in the work she’s doing. We are humbled that she’d share her story and insight with us. Our HQ team expounds on what Kelli’s story meant to them and why her message is valuable to all women serving anywhere in any capacity.  Recognized as one of the most influential women in sports business, Kelli M

Hope. Sometimes it just doesn’t feel possible does it? In the midst of an unexpected diagnosis, devastating loss, daily loneliness or broken relationship, having hope can seem hopeless. We all want it but sometimes we just aren’t sure if it is really possible.  If you are wondering how to even begin to have hope in the midst of difficulty or how to share your hope with others, you will love today’s episode with Dr. Camille Gray. Dr. Gray’s life radiates hope but don’t think she hasn’t experienced the depths of suffering. Dr. Gray’s story shows how God really can meet us in our pain and show us a way through life despite the trials we will all encounter. The conversation doesn’t end there though as our HQ team discusses what hope really means and how we can all fight for it in our own lives. “When I was five years old. I wanted to be a nun. “– Dr. Camille Gray As an author, speaker, educator and entrepreneur, Dr. Camille Gray endeavors to inspire women and young girls to be all that God has called them to be.

Did you know our theme for the month of October is women supporting women? Let’s be real. Our lives are far from perfect and all it takes is one look on social media or at a sliver of our friends’ lives for comparison and competition to set in. But it doesn’t need to be that way. We need each other! Not only is there enough space for each of us, but we can lift up the other women around us. Today’s guest, Trang Green, totally embodies the selfless and determined character of someone crushing it at supporting women in her community. You will want to go get in your peoples’ corners after listening to her share about the impact women have when they give of themselves and what they have to love and care for other women in their lives. Let’s be known for supporting the women in our lives and communities with all we have.  Alisa Trang Green is the Founder and Chairwoman of the Dress for Success Oklahoma City affiliate. Trang has been working in the nonprofit sector for numerous years. Some of her expertise range fr

We don’t have to look very far to see the injustice in the world do we? We see it on the news and in our very own lives every day. Things are not right in this world and the problems are usually very complicated. It is so easy to just try and shut it all out isn’t it? Add the seemingly radical ideas of grace, forgiveness and mercy to the situation and it's more than enough to feel stuck. Today’s episode will help you move forward as Jessica Foster shares how compassion fuels her work to fight for justice and mercy daily in her law career. Let us tell you. We can all learn something about how to bring more love and justice into the world from Jessica and the stories she shares. Our HQ team continues to break these topics down and shares how we can tangibly speak up for the voiceless from a place of compassion in our own lives. Jessica is a native of Detroit, Michigan where she was born and raised. Jessica attended college at Columbia University in New York City where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Polit

Have you ever looked at your life and wondered how you ended up where you are? Maybe you have switched industries, you are going back to school to study an entirely new subject a decade later or are just getting started in our career and don’t know what you want to do for the rest of your life. We know it can be really stressful or overwhelming to go through many different changes our personal and professional lives will go through over time. Our guest in today’s episode totally understands. Leigh has worked in politics, medical sales and now owns her own small jewelry business after being a stay at home mom for several years. Leigh’s story about how she has navigated the many changes in her life to pursue her different passions is so encouraging. You don’t want to miss hearing Leigh change our often limited definition of creativity to one that emcompasses the different strains of creativity within each of us. Our HQ team picks up right where Leigh left off and discusses how we often have a very limited view

Is it okay to take time to rest and still put in the hours in our professional and personal lives? Will everything in my life fall apart if I do? We know it can seem impossible or even wrong to stop the never-ending hustle and make time to rest our bodies and minds. Our temptation to keep going can lead to burnout for many of us though. We see it in our work, relationships and physical and mental health. Something needs to change if we want to continue to be healthy and give our all to the things that matter most to us. Today’s guest, Paula McDade, is a great example of how to practice true self-care while continuing to serve well and crush it at work. She is meeting needs and serving in her community while also taking care of herself and making time to rest. The result? She is in a healthy place to give her best effort in all areas of her life. Later in the episode, our HQ team shares their take on the idea of self care and how they practice rest in their own busy lives.  Paula McDade is the author, licensed

Have you ever had a DTR conversation with a friend? While it still might be common to have a conversation where you define the relationship with someone you are dating, it is not necessarily a thing many of us do in our friendships. Lindsay and Lyndan didn’t let that stop them from having their own DTR convo though. These two unlikely friends are breaking the mold  with their authentic friendship and we love it. Lindsay and Lyndan have so much to say about how to build and maintain a safe and deep friendship in today’s episode. You really don’t want to miss out on hearing their inspiring friendship story today! Lindsay is a coach’s wife, twin mom, and the Director of Development & Operations for Polished Ministries. She is passionate about the work she gets to do! With a bachelor’s degree in writing and a minor in theology from the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD, Lindsay loves that she gets to combine her skills with her work in a meaningful way. Like many of her peers post-graduation, Linds

Why does it take a moment of desperation to send us to our knees in prayer? Sadly, it’s true. The thing is, God is always accessible, hears our prayers no matter how broken, and he wants to see good things happen in our lives. We can approach him anytime we need help, not just when we are desperate. As we talk to Debreon Davis about building authentic community we realized that part of growing a community of people we can love and love us in return will necessitate prayer. God, bring us the right women in our lives. Debreon Davis is currently the principal at Edmond North High School. Debreon grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma and attended college at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and the University of Central Oklahoma where she played basketball and studied Psychology. After graduating from college she went back to her high school alma mater, Edmond Santa Fe High School, where she taught Business classes, coached girls basketball and was the student council sponsor. During this time Debreon was also ac

Have you ever felt lonely despite being surrounded by tons of people? Maybe you are sitting at your desk with co-workers all around you, in the middle of happy hour with friends, or cooking dinner for your family and you have that moment where you just feel alone. We are rarely ever physically alone in today’s hyper-connected world and yet, we often feel like we are missing out on the meaningful connections that make us feel seen, heard and loved. Craving connection with those around her, Kristin Schell built a community at a turquoise table right in her front yard. Her story will encourage you to build authentic relationships and show up for others right where you are. You’ll also catch up with our HQ team later on in the episode and hear how some of their closest friends have showed up for them throughout their lives. Kristin Schell is on a mission to love her neighbors. She put a picnic table in her front yard, painted it turquoise, and began inviting neighbors, friends, and even strangers, to hang out and

Is the Bible really relevant today? This is a real question for many of us in a world that can seem very different than the one the Bible was written in. And even if we do believe its relevant, many of us have a complicated relationship with the Bible and maybe even those who say they love it. If these questions resonate with you, you will not want to miss today’s episode with Lauren McAfee. Lauren has dedicated much of her life to researching why people, especially millennials, feel disconnected from the Bible and why it really is relevant today. That’s right. The Bible really is applicable in our current lives.  Later on in the episode, our HQ team shares why they believe the Bible is relevant in their own lives. Lauren Green McAfee works at the Hobby Lobby corporate office, and is the author of Only One Life (Zondervan, 2018) and Not What You Think (Zondervan, 2019). She is a speaker, connector, and coffee enthusiast and is currently pursuing a PhD in Ethics and Public Policy with Dr. Russell Moore as her

Do you ever wonder how to be authentic on social media? Let’s be honest. Social media and authenticity do not typically go together. In a world where we simply show a highly filtered highlight reel, the full story of our lives is often tucked far away from the Instagram world. And yet, sometimes we want to break through the curated scroll of perfection and show a little more of our true selves. Today’s guest, Chandler Hatchett felt this very desire and to her surprise, her authenticity resonated with her followers more than her typical posts. Chandler even found her online community to be a real sense of support through hard times in her life. Her take on our September theme of building authentic community will give you some hope in the often crazy world of social media. Wonder how what being authentic on social media looks like for you? Yeah, us too! Thankfully, Kat, Lindsay and Feleceia discuss what our relationship with being authentic on social media can look like as young professional women.  Chandler is

 Have you ever thought about what makes a really good friend? We all want them! But sometimes it can just be hard to know what to look for in a friendship. That’s why we are so grateful Dani shares about what she looks for in a friend and how her community keeps showing up for her in the midst of hard decisions. As a single mom, Dani knows how important it is to have strong and authentic relationships in her life. Later in the episode, Lindsay and Feleceia join Kat to talk about the friends in their lives who tell them the hard truth about themselves or a situation. We know. Those conversations are not the most fun to have with our closest friends, but they can sure be super helpful for us and our growth. You really don’t want to miss this episode on what authentic friendships really look like!    Dani is an HR Manager where she leads the recruiting, employee engagement and retention initiatives for hourly team members.   A native New Yorker who calls Houston home, Dani is passionate about serving deep in her

We know. EVERYONE is talking about the Enneagram. Maybe you are about all things  enneagram or maybe you are ready to roll your eyes if someone even dares to bring it up one more time. In the midst of all of the enneagram buzz, Jenn’s perspective on using the Enneagram as a tool for gaining clarity in your professional relationships is both insightful and refreshing. And let’s be real. Who doesn’t need some practical advice for how to have stronger and more peaceful relationships with our co-workers and all of the other important people in our lives? Jenn’s conversation with  Kat will help you understand the Enneagram in new ways and maybe even redeem it for you if you are totally over it. Jett is a dreamer, a doer and a champion of risk takers. When she is not running her design business, she is encouraging & unleashing women through a gathering she hosts twice a year in Colorado called Camp Well – a place where dreamers and doers who are weary and overwhelmed can come and be reminded of who God created

Has someone ever said something hurtful to you that just totally reflected your own insecurity? We have sure been there. We all have our own inner critic. You know what we are talking about. It is the little voice that tells you that you aren’t good enough for that raise, you aren’t pretty enough or that you are unlovable. All it takes it for someone to give that inner critic outside affirmation and you can suddenly end up spiraling downward. No one understands this cycle more than Nicoletta Bradley. In this episode, Nicoletta shares with Kat how one hurtful comment about her weight gave the lies she told herself enough power to derail her life with disordered eating. But her story doesn’t end there. Nicoletta’s story about how she changed her mindset about her body and learned to love herself exactly as she is will give you hope in your own life. The wisdom doesn’t stop there though. Our very own Lindsay Benedetto and Felecia Benton pop in with Kat to share their perspectives on Nicoletta’s powerful story an

Why do Christians struggle to talk about alcohol? Yes, we just went there. Don’t worry though. This episode is not about alcohol abstinence or rules. It is about having a conversation that is taboo in church and finding freedom in having a mindful approach to every area of our lives. Kat’s conversations with Jenn Kautsch of Sober Minded Sis and our very own Lindsay Benedetto and Feleceia Benton remove all of the stigma around this conversation and creates a safe place to have a healthy conversation about this typically hot topic. So let’s change the conversation! Instead of letting alcohol be such a loaded topic in church settings, join our healthy conversation about mindfulness in every area of our life.  Verses: 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind” Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” Connect with Jenn Instagram: @sobersis For Jenn's FREE guide and to get on her email list go to:  www.sobersis.com   For the 21 Day Reset/ Alcohol Free Challenge go to: https://www.sobersis.com/21d