Becoming Beauty

028 | Vacation Shouldn't Be Exhausting

I recently returned from a two-week tour of Italy, where I performed several concerts with a large ensemble and visited some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. So why weren't those two weeks the best weeks of my life? On this week's episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on why we often feel so exhausted after vacations that should be restorative and how we can approach travel differently.
 
I also take some time to gush about the magical moments, which were truly spectacular. But perhaps my greatest takeaway is what has inspired me to plan trips differently moving forward. Grab some gelato, and let's dig in.
 
Links:
Episode 022 | The Lie: Fertility & Motherhood are a burden. (Spotify, Apple)
Wellness Coaching with Betsy Hoyt
 
Email me with thoughts or podcast topics you want to hear: podcast@jessamynanderson.com
 
Read:
Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz
 
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027 | My Summer Favorites

It's a fun and practical "list" episode! This week, I'm sharing my favorite summer products, books, music, and recipes. Some are helpful. Some are hilarious. I even threw in an embarrassing story or two. I wanted to leave you with a lighthearted episode before taking a month-long break on the podcast. I hope these things bring a smile to your face and also give you some new ideas for summer enjoyment. Don't fill up your shopping cart too quickly 😉
 
Products
Little Seed Farm deodorant
*Order free samples here!
*Use this link for 10% off your order!
 
Think Baby sunscreen
Swim dresses
Rufflebutts swimsuits
Walmart swim trunks
Wet bags
Old Navy bike shorts
 
Books
Yesterday's Tides (Roseanna M. White)
Cold Tangerines (Shauna Niequist)
The Girl Who Chased the Moon (Sarah Addison Allen)
Lost Lake (Sarah Addison Allen)
 
Music (Albums)
Eyes Open (Snow Patrol)
One Cell in the Sea (A Fine Frenzy)
A Walk to Remember soundtrack
High School Musical 2 soundtrack
A Week Away soundtrack
The Last Song soundtrack
Golden Road (Keith Urban)
Feels Like Today (Rascal Flatts)
 
Listen to my Summer and Soft Summer Spotify playlists!
 
Recipes
Adrenal Cocktails
Banana Nice Cream
Burger marinade
Best burgers EVER (put the bacon on top instead of in the burger)
Grilled peaches
Corn-on-the-cob
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
 
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026 | The Best Dating Advice I Ever Received

A few months before meeting my husband, a priest friend of mine shared some dating advice with me. And it changed my life. The dating world is a mess, even within the Church, and this priestly advice has the potential to crack open some hearts and change the dating mindset for many people (in my humble opinion). This episode is designed to help people confront some of this issues within the Church's dating culture and encourage people to broaden their horizons a bit. Will it work? You'll be the judge of that.
 
Listen:
The Way of Love - Marie Miller (Spotify, Apple Music)
My Summer playlist (Spotify)
My "Soft Summer" playlist (Spotify)
 
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025 | Savoring Summer Through Our Senses

Have you ever thought about what summer tastes like to you? Or sounds like or feels like to the touch? It's easy to let the summer fly by in a whirlwind of nonstop activities, over-filled calendars, and complaints about the heat. But it doesn't have to be like this (for us or our children).
 
We can shift our mindset and approach to summer by learning how to savor the summer through our five senses (and praise God for his many gifts that are unique in this season). Recording this episode made my mouth water (no joke) and prompted me to listen to some music I haven't turned on in awhile. I hope it brings a smile to your face and encourages you to savor this season!
 
Reminder - send your lists and summer playlists to podcast@jessamynanderson.com! :)
 
Listen:
My Summer playlist (Spotify)
My Soft Summer playlist (Spotify)
 
Recommendations:
Think Baby Sunscreen
Swimsuit #1
Swimsuit #2
 
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024 | The Lie: We are made for individuality.

We live in a "selfie" culture, and I'm not just talking about pictures. Words like autonomy, self, and individuality are plastered across media platforms, spreading the gospel of self-fulfillment. But is this what we're made for? In this episode, we're breaking open the idea that we're made for individuality by seeing what our bodies (and the One who created them) have to say about this.
 
This is the final episode in our four-part series on femininity, lies women believe, and how our bodies speak the truth.
 
The Series:
021 | Why I Left Feminism Behind
022 | Lie #1: Fertility and Motherhood are a burden.
023 | Lie #2: Women must be more like men to be fulfilled.
024 | Lie #3: We are made for individuality.
 
References:
TOB 9:3 - Man becomes an image of God in communion.
Amoris Lætitia (Pope Francis)
CCC 2352 - Church teaching on masturbation
CCC 1857 - What constitutes a mortal sin?
CCC 1878-1879 - The vocation of the human person
 
TOB = Theology of the Body
CCC = Catechism of the Catholic Church
 
Resources:
Magdala Ministries - for women struggling with sexual addiction
Litany: Heroines of the Faith
Chicken Sausauge Gnocchi Skillet (Ambitious Kitchen)
 
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023 | The Lie: Women must be more like men to be fulfilled.

Throughout much of history, women have experienced oppression at the hands of men. In response, when women grew tired, they attempted to solve this problem by becoming more like the men they didn't like. Has that worked out in their favor? I would say no.
 
In order for men to be the best and most authentically masculine versions of themselves, women need to be authentically feminine (the way God defines femininity, not the way the world does). How do our bodies teach us about our femininity? How can living in our true feminine identity create space for better, more virtuous men and women to arise in our culture? Let's talk about it.
 
Links:
Find Your Love Language
 
Read:
The Sisters of Seaview (by Julie Klassen)
Theology of Home III: At the Sea
 
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022 | The Lie: Fertility & Motherhood are a burden.

Fertility and motherhood are often viewed as obstacles to fulfillment for women. We would be so much happier if we could just shut off our pesky cycles, right? We would be able to chase our dreams if kids didn't get in the way, right? This week's episode explores why these ideas are complete lies and how our fertility and motherhood are enormous gifts bestowed upon us by a loving God.
 
Links:
*PLEASE read: What the Church Actually Teaches on Responsible Parenthood (Christopher West)
Catechism - children are a gift
Catechism - why contraception is harmful
Catholic Answers - predictions from Humanae Vitae
Nancy Ray podcast - self-care (Apple, Spotify)
Suzanne Venker's podcast (Apple, Spotify)
 
Book Recommendation: These Beautiful Bones (Emily Stimpson Chapman)
 
Prayer: Make My Soul Your Home (available on my website on the post for Episode 022)
 
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✨ Check out my website
👉 Contact me: podcast@jessamynanderson.com

021 | Why I Left Feminism Behind

This episode kicks off a series on femininity, lies women believe about themselves, and how our bodies speak the truth. My understanding of femininity has changed dramatically over the last decade of my life due to a myriad of life experiences and the witness of women in seasons ahead of me. On this episode, I share the story of how I've left modern feminism behind for the much more life-giving option of embracing my God-given femininity.
 
Upcoming Episodes:
Lie #1: Fertility and motherhood are a burden.
Lie #2: Women must be more like men to be fulfilled.
Lie #3: We are made for individuality.
 
Listen:
Pints with Aquinas - Interview with Dr. Carrie Gress
(YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts)
 
Make:
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
 
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020 | My Breastfeeding Story: Surrender & Perseverance

My breastfeeding journey started with immense pain, desperate prayers, and a more personal relationship with my pump than I had ever imagined possible. But it turned into a story of hope, perseverance, and the freedom that comes from true surrender. In those early months after giving birth, I felt really alone in the difficulties of my breastfeeding journey, so my hope is that my story will help other women feel less alone if they are struggling.
 
Please share this episode with any of your friends who are pregnant or hope to be pregnant soon (whether it's their first or their fifth child since every kid is different). I pray it blesses and encourages them.
 
Resources:
The Lactation Network (TLN) - find an IBCLC near you
Built to Birth (birth course from Bridget Teyler - includes breastfeeding course)
Ready Nest Counseling (available in TN, FL, and SC)
Baby Favorites (my recommendations, including breastfeeding products)
 
Book: Yesterday's Tides by Roseanna M. White
 
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✨ Check out my website
👉 Contact me: podcast@jessamynanderson.com

019 | 31 Things I've Learned (so far)

Today is my 31st birthday! I find myself at an age where I still have much to learn but have lived enough life to share bits of wisdom and perspective. So I'm sharing 31 things I've learned so far, including spiritual truths and practical tips for baking and makeup removal. If you'd like to be inspired and laugh along the way, you'll enjoy this episode.
 
Podcast Episodes Mentioned:
Topic - seeing God in all things: 002 (Spotify, Apple) and 003 (Spotify, Apple)
Topic - clothing and getting dressed every day: 011 (Spotify, Apple)
 
Other Things Mentioned:
1000 Hours Outside
Book - This Present Paradise (by Claire Dwyer)
Image - bigger teddy bear
 
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📸 Follow me on Instagram
🎶 Listen to my music on Spotify and Apple Music
✨ Check out my website
👉 Contact me: podcast@jessamynanderson.com