What if gratitude isn’t just a nice idea, but rather a life-shifting, heart-healing, brain-rewiring practice?

In this episode, I'm talking about how thankfulness reshaped my mindset and softened my heart (and continues too!) and how it could impact yours. We'll walk through the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17 and pause on the 1 who returned to say thank you (even though all 10 were healed).

We’ll also explore the science behind gratitude: how it can literally rewire our brains, reduce stress, and improve our relationships.

If you’ve ever struggled to stay thankful in hard seasons, found it difficult to notice the good, or wondered if gratitude is really that powerful, I hope you take the time to listen.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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This week's Confetti Recipe is a week-long gratitude challenge. For my listeners who don't have Instagram, you can still participate by screenshotting the 7 prompts below :)

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MONDAY: Send a voice note to someone today saying thank you or showing appreciation for them in some way (You can send voice notes on iMessage, Messenger, Instagram, and probably most other messaging apps these days)

TUESDAY: Leave a good review for a company you love, a product you love, or even a podcast you love ;)

WEDNESDAY: Write a thank you card -- old school with pen and paper (I don't care if you think your handwriting is bad, email is simply not the same as receiving a physical card)

THURSDAY: Get someone an appreciation gift (Could be as simple as a coffee and pastry or you could make it really personal if you know what that person loves, wants, or needs in this season)

FRIDAY: Send an email to someone who has impacted you at some point in your life and you still often think of the impact they made but have never told them (Maybe it's an old teacher, a sports coach, a therapist or counsellor, a pastor, an old friend, a family member, etc.)

SATURDAY: Start your morning with some songs about gratitude and thankfulness (blast them in your kitchen or in your car!) and if you need some recommendations, I love 'Gratitude' by Brandon Lake, 'I Thank God' by Maverick City Music, 'Thank You Lord' by Chris Tomlin, 'Waking Up' by We The Kingdom, 'Sing Wherever I Go' by We The Kingdom, and 'AMEN' by Forrest Frank

SUNDAY: Tell God everything you're thankful for throughout your day (I want you to actively notice the good in every moment and whisper little heart prayers of gratitude to God)

God bless y'all!

Connect with me on Instagram: @carryconfetti

If you'd like to support the podcast or say thank you for a particular episode, you're welcome to buy me a coffee or purchase a poetry print here: https://buymeacoffee.com/carryconfetti

What if the joy you’re craving is waiting on the other side of forgiveness?

In this new episode, we’re continuing our conversation about forgiveness — not just why it matters, but how it heals. By the end of this episode, I hope you feel empowered to write a new narrative in your life — one not marked by cycles of pain and bitterness.

Through illustration and metaphor, I'm going to give you some practical tools to try in your own life. These tools have been used in the Stanford Forgiveness Project (run by Dr. Fred Luskin) or in an actual therapist's office to help a client journey through significant hurt.

If you’ve ever said, “I want to forgive, but I don’t know how,” this one’s for you.

Connect with me on Instagram: @carryconfetti

If you'd like to support the podcast or say thank you for a particular episode, you're welcome to buy me a coffee or purchase a poetry print here: https://buymeacoffee.com/carryconfetti

What if the key to more peace and joy isn’t doing more… but rather letting go? Letting go of hurt. Letting go of grudges. Letting go of unforgiveness.

In this episode, we’re diving into what science says about the power of forgiveness — including fascinating research on how it impacts your mental and physical health. I’ll help you identify whether or not you have a ‘grievance story’ – a term created by Dr. Fred Luskin, author of “Forgive for Good”.

Then we’ll shift gears and look at what scripture teaches us: that forgiveness isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a command — one that frees us just as much as the people we forgive.

Whether you're holding on to a deep hurt or just trying to live with a lighter heart, this episode is for you.

Connect with me on Instagram: @carryconfetti

If you'd like to support the podcast or say thank you for a particular episode, you're welcome to buy me a coffee or purchase a poetry print here: https://buymeacoffee.com/carryconfetti

Hey friend!

I'm excited to bring you my first Easter Special in podcast form. Easter has always been one of my favourite holidays to celebrate, and I'm excited to share why in this episode.

Here's what you can expect once you click play:

• I'll share with you my beloved childhood memories of Easter and the traditions I carry on with my kids (Come share yours with me on Instagram!)
• We'll look at where the symbols of the eggs and the bunnies came from
• I'll give you some ways that you can bring the Easter story to life in your own homes this year, whether that's with your kids, your spouse, your friends, or in your personal quiet times with God
• Then, you will hear a collection of my original spoken word poems that tell the Easter story, giving you insight into what took place leading up to Jesus' death, the emotions that swirled around the events of the crucifixion, and the joyful relief that was felt on the day of our Saviour's resurrection

So, come and celebrate Easter with me throughout this Holy Week!

JESUS IS RISEN!

Love,

Darcie

PS -- Each poem will be released in video form on my Instagram page throughout this week. Follow along, and help me share the beautiful story of Easter with your family and friends :)

Connect with me on Instagram: @carryconfetti

If you'd like to support the podcast or say thank you for a particular episode, you're welcome to buy me a coffee or purchase a poetry print here: https://buymeacoffee.com/carryconfetti

Have you ever wondered why God is so mysterious? Has the mystery of God ever stopped you from believing in Him? Has the lack of answers to your burning questions ever stopped you from trusting Him?

Do you realise that God exists outside of our limited human understanding? Picture yourself standing inside a square frame; that's your frame of reference. If God perfectly fit inside your frame of reference, then He wouldn't actually be so wonderful and powerful. But because He exists outside of that frame of reference (outside of time and space), He will always hold a sense of wonder in our hearts.

His power is far bigger than we could ever imagine.

His plans are far greater than we could ever dream.

His love is far more expansive than you could ever put words to.

The wonder and mystery of God magnifies His greatness. Our challenge then is to learn how to trust Him when it feels like we're swimming in the deep -- swimming in waters so expansive and mysterious that we could never even fathom what those waters hold, the depths those waters go, or the breadth those waters reach.

Faith feels like swimming in the deep.

So, would you dive in with me, as I take us to the Book of Ezekiel? There's a beautiful vision I want to show you.

Connect with me on Instagram: @carryconfetti

If you'd like to support the podcast or say thank you for a particular episode, you're welcome to buy me a coffee or purchase a poetry print here: https://buymeacoffee.com/carryconfetti

Where do you even begin in establishing prayer as a lifestyle?

Well, it starts with your habits. It starts with establishing a routine that then becomes a rhythm that then becomes part of your identity.

In this episode, I'll give you 5 powerful yet practical tips to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer -- tips that you can customize for how you best connect with God.

I also have a few listener-submitted testimonies about how the active practice of prayer has changed their lives in a positive way.

At the end, you'll get another neuroscience inspired Confetti Recipe to try out on your own or with some friends. It's a fun one :)

Enjoy this final episode of March, as we wrap up our topic of prayer!

Connect with me on Instagram: @carryconfetti

If you'd like to support the podcast or say thank you for a particular episode, you're welcome to buy me a coffee or purchase a poetry print here: https://buymeacoffee.com/carryconfetti

Have you ever felt like you didn't know what to pray? Or have you ever started to pray and felt like you said all you needed to say within a minute?

Well, even the original disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. So, he did -- through what we now know as the Lord's Prayer. He gave us a pattern within this prayer that we can use to guide a quiet time with God.

In this episode, I'll share with you this 4-part framework that you can try out in your own prayer life. I'll also share a few stories about how God answers prayers in powerful ways.

If you have any great tips for prayer or meditation or perhaps a powerful testimony about God answering your prayers, email me! The next episode will include some listener-submitted tips and testimonies, so email me by Thursday, 27 March to make it in time for recording.

carryconfettipodcast@gmail.com

Connect with me on Instagram: @carryconfetti

If you'd like to support the podcast or say thank you for a particular episode, you're welcome to buy me a coffee or purchase a poetry print here: https://buymeacoffee.com/carryconfetti

How would you describe God? If you were honest with yourself, do you see him as a critical or a distant figure in the sky? Or perhaps you see him as authoritarian, someone in charge who will inflict punishment when you step out of line? Or do you see him as benevolent -- meaning kind and compassionate and willing to intervene with grace and mercy?

How you see God affects the healthy functioning of your brain. We need to be aware of how our emotions, biases, life experiences, and community affect our view of God and ultimately influence how we interact with him, if at all.

In today's episode, I'll unpack the character of God, as well as 5 dangers we need to be aware of when wrestling with the idea of God and the practice of faith. If you don’t know these possible dangers, then you might slip into a view of God that will negatively impact the health of your brain (which can also negatively impact your emotional and physical health).

So, let's talk about it :)

Book referenced: How God Changes Your Brain by Andrew Newburg and Mark Robert Waldman

Connect with me on Instagram: @carryconfetti

If you'd like to support the podcast or say thank you for a particular episode, you're welcome to buy me a coffee or purchase a poetry print here: https://buymeacoffee.com/carryconfetti