Your story contains a thread Different jobs, relationships, and life seasons may look disconnected until reflection reveals the values and gifts that have been present all along.

Self-acceptance makes love believable Kristan found that she could hear the message of unconditional love but could not fully receive it until she stopped rejecting parts of herself.

Curiosity loosens judgment Approaching your story with curiosity can release rigid expectations, reduce shame, and help you see possibilities beyond the outcomes you can currently imagine.

Self-forgiveness happens in layers Healing is not always one dramatic moment. It can be a continuing practice of honesty, compassion, responsibility, and grace.

Surrender is not abandonment When we cannot repair another person's life, prayer and surrender allow us to keep loving without pretending that we control the outcome.

Ask how to show up Care becomes more loving and respectful when we ask people what they need instead of assuming that our idea of help is best.

Perfection steals presence The pursuit of perfection can keep us focused on a future reward or relief instead of being present with God, ourselves, and the people we love.

Small practices can be powerful A journal entry, inspirational reading, prayer, or brief pause can restore perspective without adding hours of work to the day.

· God's love is not reserved for a polished version of us.

· Prayer expresses dependence on God rather than control over circumstances.

· The Holy Spirit brings comfort and guidance as we yield rather than force an outcome.

· God remains present even when we are distracted or turn away.

· Hope grows when we remember that God can create possibilities outside the limits of our experience.

· Our present season can be viewed as an assignment rather than merely something to escape.

The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo A daily reflection book that draws from multiple spiritual traditions and offers brief readings for staying grounded and awake to life.

Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn Mentioned by Pamela in connection with yielding to the Holy Spirit and depending on God's ability rather than our own.

Journals and spiritual autobiography workbook Kristan offers journals, a self-guided spiritual autobiography workbook, workshops, and free reflective resources through her website.

· Website: https://kristanswan.com

· Spaghetti on the Wall: A simple daily listening and journaling practice

· Heart Mapping: A creative visual journaling practice

· Spiritual Autobiography: A self-guided workbook

· Clouds to Clear Skies: A step-by-step clarity workbook

· Workshops and free downloads: See Kristan's website for current offerings

What part of your story have you tried to hide, control, or make perfect, and what might change if you approached it with curiosity, grace, and the belief that God can meet you there?

Choose one simple practice this week. Spend ten minutes journaling, read a short passage that grounds you, or ask someone you love, “How can I show up for you right now?” If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a woman who needs permission to slow down, release perfection, and reconnect with her faith and her own story. Subscribe to Unleash Vision and Faith for more honest conversations about purpose, resilience, and faith in every season.

Thank you for listening! Tune in next week to increase your FAITH!

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Kathy shared her journey of starting new careers at ages 47 and 62 after being a stay-at-home mom for 18 years, emphasizing that it's never too late to pursue new opportunities. She discussed how God provided for her family during her cancer journey and how her life has changed significantly in the last 15 years. The conversation then transitioned to introducing Kathy Rogers as the next guest, who was scheduled to share her story about career transition and survival journey.

Kathy shared his journey of owning a bakery for 10 years, including how she learned the business through on-the-job training and became a franchisee in the Dallas market. She described being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2017 and how God provided through a manager who volunteered to run the bakery during his treatment. Kathy explained how she and her family faced additional losses when her mother and then her 29-year-old daughter both died from cancer, but she found peace and purpose in sharing her story as a speaker and author of a book titled "Looking for Good."

Kathy shared her personal journey through cancer treatment and losing her daughter, describing how her faith helped her find strength and perspective. She recounted a specific conversation with God about preserving her hair during chemotherapy, where she felt a still small voice offering peace and trust. Kathy explained how this experience deepened her understanding of God's love, referencing Ephesians 3:14-21, and how she learned to relinquish control over her family's wellbeing during their grief.

Pamela and Kathy discussed the importance of faith and finding comfort in difficult times, with Pamela sharing her approach to handling challenges by focusing on controllable aspects and relying on faith. Kathy presented her book "Looking for the Good," which explores finding hope and gratitude during grief and difficult circumstances, emphasizing the power of perspective and God's presence in everyday life.

Kathy shared her experience of finding peace during her daughter's funeral by speaking God's truth to the congregation, describing it as the most peaceful day of her life despite the sadness. She discussed her book about faith and trusting in God's provision, which is available for purchase through her website and other online retailers. Kathy also mentioned her plans to pursue speaking opportunities beyond church groups, including a recent conference about positive team attitudes, as she sees God opening doors for her to share her message.

Kathy and Pamela discussed the importance of being obedient to one's calling and not ignoring divine promptings. They emphasized that there is no expiration date on what God has planned for people's lives and encouraged listeners to step out of wrong identities and into what God is calling them to do. Kathy shared her podcast "Your Best Friend's Mom" and mentioned her contact information for speaking engagements, while Pamela suggested she might be a good fit for Terry Savelle Foy's conference in Dallas.

Thank you for listening! Tune in next week to increase your FAITH!

Subscribe to Unleash Vision & Faith so you never miss an episode. And if today’s conversation inspired you, share it with a fellow entrepreneur who’s ready to build a God-centered business.

· Growing up in Romania under communism and learning gratitude in the midst of scarcity

· How a mission trip connection brought Mia to the United States

· Walking through widowhood, remarriage, and the rebuilding of family life

· Why women often master the art of saying “I'm fine” while suffering in silence

· The hidden emotional and physical weight carried by family caregivers

· How Mia's sister's cancer journey transformed everyday conversations into reflections on grace, dreams, legacy, and eternity

· Trusting God when healing does not look the way we hoped it would

· Why women over 45, 50, and 55 are not meant to be placed on a shelf

· Turning life experience into service, leadership, writing, coaching, and ministry

· The importance of rest, sisterhood, self-care, and creating space to hear from God

Gratitude changes what scarcity feels like. Mia's parents taught their children to recognize God's provision, even when the family sometimes had only one meal a day.

You do not have to suffer in silence. Community creates room for honesty, support, healing, and the reminder that you are not alone.

Caring for yourself is not selfish. Rest and renewal help women continue serving their families and assignments without pouring from an empty cup.

God meets us in our weakest moments. During the most exhausting season of caregiving, Scripture, prayer, and God's presence sustained Mia one hour at a time.

Healing can take a form we did not expect. Mia came to understand her sister's passing through the lens of eternal healing and the continuing impact of her testimony.

Your age is evidence, not a limitation. Your years have given you wisdom and experience that can help another woman answer God's call.

Your story can reach people you may never meet. Mia's sister's faith during suffering moved people in other countries to return to church and seek God.

· Esther 4:14 — You are here “for such a time as this.”

· Matthew 7:7 — Ask, seek, and knock.

· Hebrews 13:5 — God will never leave nor forsake you.

· Philippians 4:13 — Strength through Christ.

· Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a woman who needs to know that she is not forgotten, not finished, and not alone. Subscribe to Unleash Vision & Faith, leave a review, and follow Pamela Duran for more faith-filled conversations that help women move forward with clarity, courage, and confidence.

Thank you for listening! Tune in next week to increase your FAITH!

Subscribe to Unleash Vision & Faith so you never miss an episode. And if today’s conversation inspired you, share it with a fellow entrepreneur who’s ready to build a God-centered business.