“When you’re honest about how desperately you wish that God had acted differently in your story and in your loss, and yet still go back to Him, that is the ultimate expression of faith.”Mattie Jackson Selecman is a podcaster and best-selling author of the book Lemons on Friday. Her father is Alan Jackson, so good storytelling has always been in her blood. Tragically, she lost her husband of less than a year, Ben, in September 2018 after he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Despite her grief, Mattie is pushing forward and has dedicated herself to helping others.In today’s show, we talk about how while she has wanted to be an author for a long time, this is the book she never wanted to write. Going through this kind of grief feels truly unbearable, and we don’t talk enough about the spiritual letdown when the miracles we want don’t happen. I really appreciated the honesty when Mattie shares that sometimes we hate what God does with our story, but we still need Him to walk with us through it.Connect with JamieFacebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTubeGET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

HH #470: Trusting God through heartbreak with Mattie Selecman

"We really aren't fighting anxiety. It's a God-given gift that Satan has twisted."That is such a powerful way to look at anxiety and something a lot of us should write on a post-it note so we can always remember. My guest today is Shawn Johnson who serves as lead pastor of Red Rocks Church in Denver, Colorado, a community he and a small group of people started in 2005. His newest book Attacking Anxiety just released yesterday and it is loaded with truth and encouragement for those struggling with anxiety or walking through it with a loved one.We talk about humility and having to be vulnerable with our pain to those around us. It’s not easy to be the person who feels like they are always the one battling, but God gives us community to help us get through moments we never imagined. God offers us freedom, and we can go get it. I also love Shawn’s reminder that we’re not going to get healthy but healthier because we will not be made perfect until we reach eternity. So thankful for Shawn’s vulnerability in this conversation.Connect with JamieFacebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTubeGET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #469: Attacking anxiety with Pastor Shawn Johnson

“Faith is not an eraser for our past. Faith gives us the ability to go into our past to rewrite it with God.”*Trigger warning: Mention of sexual assaultBonnie Gray is an author, an inspirational speaker, and podcast host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast. Bonnie touches thousands of lives using storytelling, soul care, and prayer. I’m so excited to have Bonnie here to talk about her most recent book, Sweet Like Jasmine.Bonnie grew up as a Chinese-American daughter of a mail-order bride and spent much of her childhood never feeling like she belonged. She talks about going on a journey to learn her own story and going through life with an emotionally abusive mother. There can be so much fear in both learning and sharing our stories because we don’t know what people will think of it. But our brokenness is what brings us closer to God and others. I am so thankful to Bonnie for choosing vulnerability in her story and encouraging us to do the same.Connect with JamieFacebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTubeGET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

Happy Hour #468: Secret shame and rewriting our past with Bonnie Gray

“The enemy loves to keep us in shame because then we won’t think strategically.”Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church, Washington D.C, and author of Single, Dating, Engaged, Married and Rest & War: Rhythms of a Well-Fought Life. I am so grateful for Ben’s pastoral guidance and passion for leading people towards freedom.We talk about how the atmosphere has changed in our culture, churches and country in the last several years, and what it was like to pastor his congregation through January 6th, 2021. We also talk about how well the enemy knows us and our tendencies, and how God has given us an opportunity to be victorious. Sometimes the environment around us gets extreme, but God has given us everything we need to excel.Connect with JamieFacebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTubeGET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #467: Pastor Ben Stuart on how to excel while our environment gets extreme

“It’s not just the fact that God cares about Black people. He does, He cares about who we are. But He also cares about the rest of the world, too and He wants to create a family.”I truly could’ve talked to today’s guest for hours and I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation. Esau McCaulley, PhD is an assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. His book Reading While Black was released in 2020 and is such a beacon of hope - I highly recommend it!In today’s show, we chat about how important it is to sit, read, and listen to stories and experiences that may not affect us. We always have an easy way out of conversations that don’t directly impact our lives. But Jesus calls us to compassion and empathy and to love one another through joys and pains. I love the reminder from Esau that everything we need to love one another well is in scripture - what a blessing it is that we truly have the answer.Connect with JamieFacebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTubeGET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #466: Reading While Black with Esau McCaulley

“That is the facade of anxiety. It’s that it will tell you things that are not true or are partly true. But never the full truth.”A lot of us need that reminder. My dear friend Gloria Umanah is back on The Happy Hour and not only am I excited to share this conversation with you, but I’m so thrilled for Gloria to share the wonderful project she is working on.Gloria launched her most recent initiative, Hope Booth: A 3-minute interactive immersive experience that delivers poetic messages of hope in the form of remodeled phone booths strategically placed throughout our cities around the globe. We talk about how the idea for this wouldn’t have happened without the difficulty of the last several years. Gloria also shares that the average person living on the street goes 3-6 months without someone looking them in the eyes, and Hope Booth truly has the potential to change this by reminding people that they are seen and loved. I’m so proud of Gloria for launching this vision that God placed in her heart. Listen to her story and learn how we can come alongside her to make this happen!Connect with JamieFacebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTubeGET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #465: The power of being seen and loved with Gloria Umanah

It’s been four years since the release of my first book If You Only Knew, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Back in 2018, we did a mini-series where I interviewed several people and asked them about their “If you only knew…”. An “if you only knew” is something in your life that you feel people would think less of you if they knew about it. We’ve all got one of those, I’m sure. BUT here’s the good news: there’s truth and forgiveness and freedom from shame through Jesus. He will use these things as part of our story. Heather Macfadyen and Lisa Whittle are amongst a few of the people who shared their stories so to celebrate the birthday of my first book, we are bringing back these two conversations and talking about being free from the shame of our past. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #464: Freedom from the shame of our past with Heather Macfadyen and Lisa Whittle

I know it’s only January but this episode will probably go down as my favorite interview of 2022! Two of my favorite people, Dr. Russell Moore and Beth Moore (nope, they’re not related!) are here to bring you a WORD today. We all know that the last 2 years have been hard and messy, but the three of us chat about the hopeful things that have happened in the midst of it all. We also talk about what it looks like to be a faithful follower of Jesus, what keeps us here loving the Church, and why we should never feel guilty obeying where God is calling us - even if those around us don’t understand. I don’t want to give too much away because this episode is loaded with encouragement and hope. I’m so thankful I get to learn from these two! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #463: Beth Moore & Dr. Russell Moore on what keeps them loving the Church

When we can love people and not understand them, it allows so much freedom.” Those words sum up this interview so well. Taylor Tippett is an Instagram friend and I’m so happy we finally got to chat in real life! Taylor is a flight attendant who is known nationally for leaving random notes on airplanes to make people's day, which eventually inspired her book Words From The Window Seat. When not living out of her suitcase, Taylor lives full time in Los Angeles with her husband Joseph, dog, Howdy, and her wide collection of houseplants! We talk about the unique ways that she gets to enter into people’s stories through her job. Being a flight attendant doesn’t really allow for normal church schedules and small group, so Taylor has come to realize that the plane is her “church” and she can spread God’s love in the air. She also talks about her difficult journey of learning to love people even when we can’t understand them. It’s not something that’s natural for us - sometimes it’s a daily choice we have to make. But praise God that His mercies are new every morning, and we can keep trying to love the people He calls us to love. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH#462: Why our "Me Too's" are so powerful with Taylor Tippett

“It’s healthy for me not to unlock that [phone] until I spend some time in the Word and in prayer.” This episode came at the perfect time and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Justin Whitmel Earley is a lawyer, author and speaker who is passionate about habits and friendship. I was so intrigued by the title of his book Habits of the Household so I dove right in! What I love about his book is that it’s not just for parents who are trying to build good habits in their family - it’s really about anyone who comes in contact with your household and developing habits that improve your quality of life. He talks about practical signals and queues you can set into place to remind you to focus on what’s important, and how goals are often impossible to reach without setting good habits in place. This is a great time to think of a habit you want to invest in! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #461: Habits of the Household with Justin Whitmel Earley

“The worst thing that could’ve possibly happened just happened, and you’re okay.” My dear friend Morolake Akinosun is BACK! In December, we shared her Jamie Ivey Show interview that originally aired on YouTube in February of 2021, but today is her official Happy Hour debut! Morolake Akinosun is a professional track runner, Olympic Gold medalist, and most recently an Emmy Award winner for her work on Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man! We chatted about where we were on March 13th, 2020 and her recent move to LA! She also opened up about training for the Tokyo Olympics and the disappointment of not getting a spot on the Olympic team. We’ve all had a dream that didn’t happen, and it takes time to grieve the loss of that dream. But I love when she shared that while failures don’t define us, neither do our successes. What a powerful reminder that our worth has never and will never come from our accomplishments. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH#460: Why both failure and success don’t define us with Morolake Akinosun

“It’s not about who we are - it’s about who Jesus is because when we discover His identity, that informs ours. I think I learned the most “fun facts” in this interview than any one I’ve ever done! Pastor Levi Lusko is my guest today and I’m so excited to have him on the show. I was first introduced to him from his book Through The Eyes of a Lion. I remember weeping so much at his words so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his new book. We talk about the 40s being the most fun and productive decade, and how motivated we feel at this stage to fully step into our purpose. We also dive into Levi’s newest book The Last Supper on the Moon where he discusses the importance of communion and breaks down how similar we are to the moon (you’re going to want to hear this metaphor!). This is such an awesome conversation and you will leave with your mind blown! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #459: Levi Lusko on discovering our identity by remembering the blood of Jesus

HAPPY 2022! Here is part two of our conversation on goals and dreams! In today’s episode, we continue the conversation with Michelle McKinney and we chat about the difference between good goals and great goals, and being honest with ourselves about boundaries and the season we’re in. We also start a new conversation with my friend, Jennifer Allwood! I am always so inspired by her and she offers such great encouragement for the working mom. She talks about how so much more is caught by our children than taught to our children, meaning that they learn more when they see us living it out. There is so much goodness in this conversation so make sure you bring a pen and notepad! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #458: Goals and dreams (pt. 2)

“Confident doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you’re going to feel the fear and you’re going to do it anyway.” HAPPY 2022! We want to start off the year a little differently. Back in 2019, we did a mini-series for our Patreon community on goals and dreams. They were such great conversations and are still relevant today, so we want to share them with all of our listeners as we begin to plan and dream for this year and beyond. These episodes will be a little longer than usual, but what I love about these conversations is that it’s not about how to achieve more. It’s about confidently pursuing dreams, while also looking at what we already have and using that well! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH#457: A Conversation on Goals and Dreams (pt. 1)

“I’m not looking back to change something, I’m looking back to learn, to take notes, to be a kind friend to myself so that when I turn around and look forward, I can do it with more intention and more purpose.” We are closing out 2021 with the one and only Emily P. Freeman! Emily is another Happy Hour veteran and this conversation is the perfect guide to looking back and moving forward. For those who may not know Emily, she is a writer, creative director, and wonderful listener. She is passionate about helping people make good decisions and do the next right thing. We bonded over both being parents of high school seniors and remembering the small things that make up beautiful moments in our lives. We also chat a lot about the nuance in decision-making and why she no longer uses pros and cons lists. Life is made up of so many daily decisions and we can sometimes risk making the wrong decision just to check it off the list. But I love how Emily reminds us that making small decisions every day leads us to make the big decision that once seemed overwhelming, but is now attainable. Thank you for another great year with The Happy Hour! We cannot wait to show you what we have for 2022! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

HH #456: Emily P. Freeman on learning from the past to look forward with more intention

The Happy Hour Podcast is hosted by Jamie Ivey, and each week she brings a guest to the show. During the happy hour they will discuss anything and everything just as if you were around the table with your own girlfriends. Jamie loves to connect with women and encourage them as they journey through life. These conversations will make you laugh and cry all in one. The Happy Hour will be something you look forward to each week. You will be encouraged as you listen to other women talk about the simplest things in life to the grandest. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the conversation!

hubhopper

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

hubhopper