Welcome back to The Mosaic Life Podcast. Friends, we are continuing our series of conversations centered around The Ways We Cope. Before I go on I want to mention that everyone copes. Coping is generally defined as the cognitive and behavioral efforts that are used to manage stress.

Significant life events, whether positive or negative can cause stress and drift: things like divorce, loss, grief, trauma, getting married, or having babies. To adjust to stress, some people may employ various behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, depending on the situation. You may not find yourself attending recovery meetings. You may not struggle with hard drugs. And, alcohol may not be an issue for you. You may, however, need to make some minor adjustments, because of life’s circumstances, having been misused, stagnant, or feeling stretched and you are coping, in order to MAKE IT through the day. If this is you or someone you know this volume of conversations is for you!

Today, Becky Page and I continue our conversation from last week. We went long and I wanted to continue our talk. If you missed part 1, I invite you to take the time to go back and listen, because we set the foundation for this series. Today, we will dive deeper into her story, hear about the ways in which she experienced the Lord’s pursuit of her life, and how she came to understand addiction and recovery.

Welcome back to The Mosaic Life Podcast. Friends, we are going to pivot, and start a new series of conversations centered around The Ways We Cope.  Life can be difficult, right? And, the last few years have proven that to be true! We’ve faced various challenges. Some new, some old, and others have seemed to resurface.

And unfortunately, for some of us, the people, things, and vices we turn to, in order to cope or make us feel better are just temporary and often leave us feeling empty and at times without hope. Thankfully there are a number of tools and resources available to help us navigate life’s challenges. And, we have One who is calling us to trust and turn to him so that He can help us navigate this journey called LIFE!

Join my guest and friend Becky Page and me, as we start the discussion on The Ways We Cope. This conversation was so rich with content and story that we decided to split this into a two-parter. The first part is going to be focused on some foundational language for us to all understand what coping is, and how we can navigate unhealthy patterns and Becky really sets the stage for us to dive deeper into this series.

As I mentioned last week, I went long and deep with the Cari Trotter. This is part 2 of that conversation! We jump back into the complexities of transition with family and kids. And, Listen up! We have a surprise guest joining us . . . Ainsley Trotter! She falls in the middle of the Trotter Tribe. We thought it beneficial to hear from Ainsley. our hope is that you might invite your teen to listen, and have a conversation. Ainsley is truly special. I could have continued our convo. some lessons are taught and others are caught I truly appreciate the way Ainsley has learned to trust God with the different seasons of her life.

Today we are talking with the dearest, Cari Trotter. You guys, we went deep and long, so deep and long that we have created 2 episodes. I don’t want you to miss anyTHING! In this episode, Cari and I talk about how she shows up in the midst of multiple transitions — involving health, several moves, and the building and rebuilding of community.

Cari mentions stewarding well, the tension of grief and pain along with joy and perseverance. She talks about, well, teaches about enduring when our experiences leave us feeling lonely, even when we are not alone. She says when you’re down “Sometimes perseverance looks like JUST getting dressed. On many occasions she found herself leaning into the power and truth of this verse “because you’ve put the lord before you, you will not be shaken!”

Today we are talking with family. Dr. Rian Wright Managing Director at KIPP Texas public schools in Houston is today’s guest on the Mosaic life podcast. Rian is not just a guest, she is family. Rian talks about the last three years and how much things have changed for her. She shares how both fear and confidence can coexist and were present as she embarked on her new roles. Rian remembers the people at the moment that prepared her for her current position, and while she doesn’t know what’s next in her life journey, she firmly believes that nothing that is for her will pass her by. We invite you to listen in.

This Season on The Mosaic Life Podcast we are going to explore transitions - both holy and hard. We all face them, let's talk about how to walk or navigate these seasons as best we can. Today we are talking with our friend, Rachael Wade as we go deeper into what transitions can look and feel like. She brings us through understanding liminal spaces and how we can lean in with the Holy Spirit as we all walk through different seasons that present these spaces in our lives. Please enjoy this conversation and be encouraged.

Today, we flipped the script and Bre Clark interviewed Cheryl Luke to kick off the season talking about the biggest transition in Cheryl's life over the last few years. We are excited to have you listen in as they explore together what have been the greatest joys and the hardest challenges through each step along the journey. You are going to be so encouraged to keep taking risks and you will learn how to transition well with your community around you.

Meet Derrek Luke. A loving husband, father, creative pastor, insurance broker and my nephew. Derrek talks about being raised in a single parent home, serving in the church and his beautiful family. Derrek made some mistakes in his life and takes us to the painful moment where things changed for him.

Meet my friend Windy. A wife, mother, business woman and fashionista. Windy talks about the dynamics of the relationship she established with her son over the years, as well as her leadership journey. Windy was diagnosed with Lyme disease, then founded the Windy J. Cumberbatch Foundation to give back and provide resources for those navigating Lyme and other types of chronic illness.

Meet my friend Stevie. A daughter, entrepreneur and carpentHER! Stevie and I talk about how her parents raised her with a high level of consistency in their home. And how consistency has shaped her rhythms as an adult. She also shares about her journey to becoming a carpentHER.