join us to be enlightened and inspired by ordinary folks who model how to best live lives of significance
Latest Blog Posts
Addressing Apathy in an Election Year
A friend recently told me that she had not voted in 12 years. She said the political process was repulsive to her, and it made her feel lousy to be a part of it. I certainly sympathize with this sentiment; as enlightened as our country is in some ways, the political...
A Prayer for Patriotism
I recently had the privilege and great joy of meeting a young man from the Philippines. I knew very little about his country; only that it is still considered a developing country. I have since learned that according to 2021 statistics, nearly 25% of the population...
MLK: Wisdom for Today
In this time of turmoil in the United States, I find myself wishing that a fellow like Martin Luther King was still with us. How we need his wisdom today! While we remember him as an advocate of healthy race relationships, I think his words speak to today’s...
Easy Tips for Surviving Quarantine with Kids
I don’t know about you, but when the helpful “Surviving Quarantine” tips I read make me feel like quarantine is one more way I’m failing my children, they are far from helpful. Is this one-woman shop really supposed to replace school, music lessons, dance rehearsals...
10 Benefits of a Pandemic
In a recent conversation with my daughter, I postulated that there might be benefits to this virus, Covid-19. She nearly whispered, “I do not dare speak those words—but I think I agree.” I am going to speak those words, friends. And I preface the following by...
Don’t Be Caged by Your Age: Ande Lyons on Redefining Aging
Feeling invisible after sixty? You're not alone—but you're far from done. Pro-age advocate Ande Lyons joins us for an inspiring conversation about breaking free from...
Journey to Freedom
What does one do when faced with the worst kind of choices? Alvaro Rivas literally found himself with a gun to his head, when the Nicaraguan government claimed he was a spy because of his work with American ministries. He knew that he risked imprisonment or death if...
When a “Nobody” Says YES!
Self-described "nobody," Barbara Demorest, describes how a personal encounter with cancer inspired her to find a solution for a common problem facing breast cancer victims. She said "Yes," when many others may have taken a pass. We talk about walking through open...
Justice in the Hands of the Ordinary
David Zach is the lead singer and songwriter of Remedy Drive, a rock band. He also is an undercover operative for an anti-sex trafficking organization, the Exodus Road. David talks about how this association came to be, how his past prepared him for this work, and...
Year in Review
In this special “Year in Review” episode of Lessons from Living, Beth takes a heartfelt look back at the moments, conversations, and stories that shaped the past year. From inspiring guests who shared powerful journeys of resilience and faith, to deeply personal...
A Dance With Cancer
Following a devastating breast cancer diagnosis, Lindsay McDonnell did all of the right things, including challenging accepted traditional medical protocols and procedures. Yet, it returned not once, but three times. Today, Lindsay lives with a body full of cancer...
Book Review: The Last Arrow
Erwin Raphael McManus offers a thought-provoking, motivating treatise in The Last Arrow, published in 2017. In this episode, Beth discusses some of McManus' themes, such as what is represented by arrows, why we tend to hold back from pursuing our most important...












