Life and Mission Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:02:13 -0400 https://lifeandmission.com/ en-us © 2026 Life and Mission yes Support this Podcast 32cff5db-1946-5784-a229-40bc3c73cef7 Kay Helm episodic false Storytelling and writing are essential skills for missionaries, ministry and nonprofit leaders. In fact, if you struggle to tell stories, you'll struggle to raise the funds you need. Kay Helm is a writer & editor with experience in missions and the business world. She founded Mission Writers in 2022 to help missionaries write fundraising appeals and powerful stories to share with supporters. In this podcast, she offers tips you can use today to improve your missions & nonprofit writing.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) missions, missions funding, nonprofits, fundraising for small ministries, fundraising for Christian missions, Christian, writing, storytelling, speaking, business, marketing Kay Helm https://storage.buzzsprout.com/grym2h74xluw57bbjll1yhycz3sa?.jpg Life and Mission https://lifeandmission.com/ When? Time as a factor in your nonprofit storytelling When? Time as a factor in your nonprofit storytelling In this episode we explore the fifth part in our series on the building blocks of nonprofit storytelling—When. Learn why timing matters in your fundraising, from year-end campaigns to creating urgency with matching gifts, celebrating donor milestones, and telling powerful follow-up stories. Plus, practical steps to plan your storytelling calendar.

Mentioned in this episode:
Fully Funded Academy
The Bible Project: Looking Back at 2025 and Ahead to 2026
10 Years and 500 Episodes: The Story of BibleProject Podcast
Charity Water: Helen

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> In this episode we explore the fifth part in our series on the building blocks of nonprofit storytelling—When. Learn why timing matters in your fundraising, from year-end campaigns to creating urgency with matching gifts, celebrating donor milestones, and telling powerful follow-up stories. Plus, practical steps to plan your storytelling calendar.

Mentioned in this episode:
Fully Funded Academy
The Bible Project: Looking Back at 2025 and Ahead to 2026
10 Years and 500 Episodes: The Story of BibleProject Podcast
Charity Water: Helen

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-18903753 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400 997 fundraising, missionaries, nonprofit storytelling, fundraising planning 4 6 full false Why Do You Do What You Do? Sharing Your Purpose Why Do You Do What You Do? Sharing Your Purpose Clarifying and sharing your “Why” builds trust, connects with supporters, and sets your mission apart. 


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Clarifying and sharing your “Why” builds trust, connects with supporters, and sets your mission apart. 


Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/building-block-why/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-18724309 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1275 nonprofit storytelling, fundraising, donor communications 4 5 full false Where Are You Making a Difference? Where Are You Making a Difference? Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling Series.

You've found Life and Mission in a series on the six building blocks of storytelling: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. So far, we’ve looked at WHO and WHAT.
Today, we’re looking at WHERE. Where are you? Where do you do what you do?

You can help donors feel the "atmosphere" of your location — bring them closer, let them see and hear and taste and smell. Let them feel the weight of the place, get some sense of the challenges (or joy) of working there.

Sharing about WHERE you work helps provide the context that gives the rest of your story meaning. It’s an essential element in helping your donors “see” your work more clearly. 



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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling Series.

You've found Life and Mission in a series on the six building blocks of storytelling: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. So far, we’ve looked at WHO and WHAT.
Today, we’re looking at WHERE. Where are you? Where do you do what you do?

You can help donors feel the "atmosphere" of your location — bring them closer, let them see and hear and taste and smell. Let them feel the weight of the place, get some sense of the challenges (or joy) of working there.

Sharing about WHERE you work helps provide the context that gives the rest of your story meaning. It’s an essential element in helping your donors “see” your work more clearly. 



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/building-block-where/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-18641452 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0500 999 nonprofit storytelling, fundraising 4 4 full false What’s Your Story? Clarifying Your Nonprofit’s Message What’s Your Story? Clarifying Your Nonprofit’s Message Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling Series 

We’re in the middle of our series on the six building blocks of storytelling: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. Today, we’re diving into WHAT. 

The “what” of your story can do so much more than just describe your work. In this episode, I’ll show you how your “whats” can help move people from surface-level giving to true, heart-level involvement with your cause. 



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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling Series 

We’re in the middle of our series on the six building blocks of storytelling: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. Today, we’re diving into WHAT. 

The “what” of your story can do so much more than just describe your work. In this episode, I’ll show you how your “whats” can help move people from surface-level giving to true, heart-level involvement with your cause. 



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/building-block-what/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-18640917 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0500 1449 Nonprofit Storytelling, Nonprofit Marketing, Fundraising, Mission-Driven Communication, Impact Narratives, Donor Engagement, Ethical Storytelling, Community Engagement 4 3 full false Who’s at the Heart of Your Mission? Who’s at the Heart of Your Mission? Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling series.

In this episode, we dig into the “Who” of nonprofit storytelling—who you are, who you serve, and who your donor is. I’ll share why getting clear on these three characters builds trust, honors the people in your stories, and helps donors see themselves as true partners in your mission. 

When you get the WHO right, your writing stops feeling like a sales pitch and starts feeling like an invitation to a shared mission. 


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling series.

In this episode, we dig into the “Who” of nonprofit storytelling—who you are, who you serve, and who your donor is. I’ll share why getting clear on these three characters builds trust, honors the people in your stories, and helps donors see themselves as true partners in your mission. 

When you get the WHO right, your writing stops feeling like a sales pitch and starts feeling like an invitation to a shared mission. 


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/building-block-who/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-18498397 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 1541 4 2 full false Six Building Blocks of Storytelling Six Building Blocks of Storytelling Today, and in the next few episodes, we’re going all the way back to the most basic building blocks of storytelling: who, what, where, why, when and how.

Simply including these in your content isn’t enough. Over the next few episodes, we’ll discover how using these building blocks effectively can move you from just reporting dry facts to building a world your donor can step into.


Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Today, and in the next few episodes, we’re going all the way back to the most basic building blocks of storytelling: who, what, where, why, when and how.

Simply including these in your content isn’t enough. Over the next few episodes, we’ll discover how using these building blocks effectively can move you from just reporting dry facts to building a world your donor can step into.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/six-building-blocks-of-storytelling/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-18498366 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500 1249 nonprofit storytelling, fundraising 4 1 full false Season 4 of Life and Mission Season 4 of Life and Mission Whether you're a missionary, a nonprofit leader, a change maker of any kind, you know that a powerful story can open hearts for people to join you in your mission.

In season 4 of the Life and Mission Podcast, we're looking at the building blocks of every persuasive story: who, what, where, why, when, and how. Sounds basic, But I'll offer a few twists that you might not have heard before. 

Grab your notebook and get ready to tell stories that build relationships and raise more for your mission!

 

​


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Whether you're a missionary, a nonprofit leader, a change maker of any kind, you know that a powerful story can open hearts for people to join you in your mission.

In season 4 of the Life and Mission Podcast, we're looking at the building blocks of every persuasive story: who, what, where, why, when, and how. Sounds basic, But I'll offer a few twists that you might not have heard before. 

Grab your notebook and get ready to tell stories that build relationships and raise more for your mission!

 

​


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com Kay Helm Buzzsprout-18498301 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 57 nonprofit, storytelling, fundraising, raising support 4 trailer false Nonprofit Newsletter Notes Nonprofit Newsletter Notes In this episode, I'm answering questions about nonprofit newsletters.

  • How many newsletters should you send?
  • How fancy do they need to be?
  • What else can you do with those stories?
  • Why send a print newsletter by mail when you can send email instead? 
  • One key thing you don't want to leave out.

------------

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> In this episode, I'm answering questions about nonprofit newsletters.

  • How many newsletters should you send?
  • How fancy do they need to be?
  • What else can you do with those stories?
  • Why send a print newsletter by mail when you can send email instead? 
  • One key thing you don't want to leave out.

------------

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-14467422 Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:00:00 -0500 796 nonprofit, storytelling, marketing, fundraising 98 full false Tell Stories to Raise Funds Tell Stories to Raise Funds Storytelling is an essential skill for fundraisers.  

What do stories do?

  • Stories help us connect. 
  • Compelling stories increase empathy.
  • Stories reflect our values. 
  • Stories reveal truths. 
  • Stories help us see others in a new way.
  • Stories give us context.

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Storytelling is an essential skill for fundraisers.  

What do stories do?

  • Stories help us connect. 
  • Compelling stories increase empathy.
  • Stories reflect our values. 
  • Stories reveal truths. 
  • Stories help us see others in a new way.
  • Stories give us context.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/tell-stories-to-raise-funds/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-14106928 Thu, 07 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0500 461 fundraising, nonprofit, nonprofits, storytelling, missions funding, 97 full false Don't Stop Now! Do this to raise funds at year-end. Don't Stop Now! Do this to raise funds at year-end. The time between Thanksgiving and December 31 is by far the biggest giving season of the year. People expect you to ask. If you don't, the assumption will likely be that you don't need their money.Here's what you need to do now.


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> The time between Thanksgiving and December 31 is by far the biggest giving season of the year. People expect you to ask. If you don't, the assumption will likely be that you don't need their money.Here's what you need to do now.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-13919245 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0500 636 nonprofit fundraising 96 full false Unlock the Story Vault: Find the Stories You Need for Fundraising Success Unlock the Story Vault: Find the Stories You Need for Fundraising Success You know you need to tell more stories to raise funds - but where do you find these stories? In this episode, I share five ways to find the stories you need.




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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> You know you need to tell more stories to raise funds - but where do you find these stories? In this episode, I share five ways to find the stories you need.




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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-13769832 Thu, 12 Oct 2023 23:00:00 -0400 961 nonprofit, storytelling, marketing, fundraising 95 full false What the Food Network Show "Chopped" Can Teach Nonprofits About Storytelling What the Food Network Show "Chopped" Can Teach Nonprofits About Storytelling In the Food Network show Chopped, just before chefs present their first dish to the judges, they must answer the question, “What would it mean for you to win?” 

It's a question every nonprofit must answer.

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> In the Food Network show Chopped, just before chefs present their first dish to the judges, they must answer the question, “What would it mean for you to win?” 

It's a question every nonprofit must answer.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-13571880 Tue, 12 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0400 319 nonprofit, storytelling, marketing 94 full false Own Your Expertise Own Your Expertise Do you think of yourself as an expert? Maybe you should. We need you to share your knowledge and experience with us.

-----

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Do you think of yourself as an expert? Maybe you should. We need you to share your knowledge and experience with us.

-----

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-13457633 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400 556 nonprofit, fundraising, storytelling, educating donors 93 full false Ask for advice from supporters Ask for advice from supporters Your supporters want to help.  Asking them for advice helps you and engages them at a deeper level. You’ll both be glad you did!

Often, when you ask for advice, supporters will tell you exactly how they prefer to be asked for money. The transparency you show in  conversations around how you raise funds invites them to also be transparent about how they approach giving. 

This isn’t a trick to get them to give more. It is an invitation to understand each other and to come into a closer relationship. 

Be sure to report back to them and let them know how their advice helped!






Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Your supporters want to help.  Asking them for advice helps you and engages them at a deeper level. You’ll both be glad you did!

Often, when you ask for advice, supporters will tell you exactly how they prefer to be asked for money. The transparency you show in  conversations around how you raise funds invites them to also be transparent about how they approach giving. 

This isn’t a trick to get them to give more. It is an invitation to understand each other and to come into a closer relationship. 

Be sure to report back to them and let them know how their advice helped!






Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-13378794 Thu, 10 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400 747 fundraising, nonprofit, ministry, support raising 92 full false Reduce Friction for Fundraising Success - Part 2 Reduce Friction for Fundraising Success - Part 2 In the last episode, we looked at gaps in your storytelling that cause friction. This week, we’re looking at friction in the donation process.


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> In the last episode, we looked at gaps in your storytelling that cause friction. This week, we’re looking at friction in the donation process.


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-13202864 Tue, 11 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0400 645 "nonprofit storytelling" "missionary support raising" 91 full false Reduce Friction for Fundraising Success - Part 1 Reduce Friction for Fundraising Success - Part 1 Why aren't people giving? Maybe there's too much friction–little things in your messaging or in your presentation that cause hesitation or second-guessing. This week we look at friction in storytelling, and what to do about it.


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Why aren't people giving? Maybe there's too much friction–little things in your messaging or in your presentation that cause hesitation or second-guessing. This week we look at friction in storytelling, and what to do about it.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/reduce-friction-for-fundraising-success-pt1/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-13128387 Wed, 28 Jun 2023 18:00:00 -0400 886 nonprofit storytelling, missionary support raising 90 full false Every Story is About Change Every Story is About Change Every story needs change, regardless of the story's focus. By recognizing this and emphasizing it, you can engage and connect with your audience more effectively.


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Every story needs change, regardless of the story's focus. By recognizing this and emphasizing it, you can engage and connect with your audience more effectively.


Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-13039858 Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400 943 nonprofit storytelling, fundraising, transformation stories 89 full false What Formula One Can Teach Nonprofits About Storytelling What Formula One Can Teach Nonprofits About Storytelling Sports can teach us a lot about nonprofit storytelling. In this episode, we're looking at two examples of sports using storytelling to reach people and to teach people – two things all nonprofits need to do.


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Sports can teach us a lot about nonprofit storytelling. In this episode, we're looking at two examples of sports using storytelling to reach people and to teach people – two things all nonprofits need to do.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-12855610 Mon, 15 May 2023 19:00:00 -0400 700 nonprofit, storytelling, fundraising 88 full false Monetize your book with a course Monetize your book with a course If you've got a book, you need a course to go with it. Here's my interview with the man who can help you do that, Dr. Lucas Marino.


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> If you've got a book, you need a course to go with it. Here's my interview with the man who can help you do that, Dr. Lucas Marino.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm / Lucas Marino Buzzsprout-12745255 Fri, 28 Apr 2023 19:00:00 -0400 2295 course creation, book, author, writing business 87 full false 3 Questions Your Writing Must Answer 3 Questions Your Writing Must Answer When we are writing to move someone to action, we must be clear. Not clever. Only crystal clear will do.
I recently attended the Hope Words conference for writers, where one of the speakers was Katherine Paterson. Mrs. Paterson is the author of over 40 books and the recipient of many awards for her writing, including two Newberry Medals.

She told us about a time when she got a note from her long-time editor about a certain paragraph. She had taken great care with this paragraph and she held it dear.

The editor's note said, “It’s beautiful, Katherine, but what does it mean?”

As a writer, I feel the pain of having something I’ve labored over being misunderstood or torn apart. As an editor,  I know it’s a question that must be asked.

All our beautiful writing and storytelling is worthless if it isn’t clear.
To be clear in our nonprofit writing, we must answer three key questions:

  1. What is happening?
  2. What does it mean?
  3. What do you want me to do about it?

By answering these questions, you can provide context for your message and make it clear what action you want your readers to take.



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> When we are writing to move someone to action, we must be clear. Not clever. Only crystal clear will do.
I recently attended the Hope Words conference for writers, where one of the speakers was Katherine Paterson. Mrs. Paterson is the author of over 40 books and the recipient of many awards for her writing, including two Newberry Medals.

She told us about a time when she got a note from her long-time editor about a certain paragraph. She had taken great care with this paragraph and she held it dear.

The editor's note said, “It’s beautiful, Katherine, but what does it mean?”

As a writer, I feel the pain of having something I’ve labored over being misunderstood or torn apart. As an editor,  I know it’s a question that must be asked.

All our beautiful writing and storytelling is worthless if it isn’t clear.
To be clear in our nonprofit writing, we must answer three key questions:

  1. What is happening?
  2. What does it mean?
  3. What do you want me to do about it?

By answering these questions, you can provide context for your message and make it clear what action you want your readers to take.



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-12610845 Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:00:00 -0400 631 nonprofit, missionaries, fundraising, fundraising appeal, storytelling 86 full false Hard Stories: Writing for Yourself Hard Stories: Writing for Yourself As ministry practitioners and nonprofit communicators, we are often called to sit with difficult stories of human suffering and injustice. Even though we are storytellers, not every story is for sharing. Our words are also meant for remembering, exploring, questioning, and hoping.

Resources
Mark Vroegop, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament
Michael Card, A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament (Quiet Times for the Heart)


Links may be affiliate links. This means I receive a portion of your purchase price (at no extra cost to you).



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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> As ministry practitioners and nonprofit communicators, we are often called to sit with difficult stories of human suffering and injustice. Even though we are storytellers, not every story is for sharing. Our words are also meant for remembering, exploring, questioning, and hoping.

Resources
Mark Vroegop, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament
Michael Card, A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament (Quiet Times for the Heart)


Links may be affiliate links. This means I receive a portion of your purchase price (at no extra cost to you).



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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-12448094 Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0400 447 lament, writing, grief, ministry leaders, nonprofit leaders, compassion, self care 85 full false The Power of Parables in Nonprofit Storytelling The Power of Parables in Nonprofit Storytelling Parables have a way of getting around our defenses, short-circuiting our stereotypes, and making us think in new ways. In this episode, we're looking at the role of parables in Jesus' ministry, and how you can use stories to break through walls in your nonprofit's messaging.

Check out Jesus' parable in Matthew 13, and his answer to the disciples when they ask why he tells so many stories.

Things to think about:
What misconceptions, bad information, political twists, outdated approaches, prejudices, and stereotypes show up around the work you do?
How do those things affect your nonprofit?
What stories could you tell to nudge people toward a better understanding of the issues and the work that you do?

Resources:
Tell it Slant, by Eugene Peterson (affiliate link)
Get your 2023 Story Calendar

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Parables have a way of getting around our defenses, short-circuiting our stereotypes, and making us think in new ways. In this episode, we're looking at the role of parables in Jesus' ministry, and how you can use stories to break through walls in your nonprofit's messaging.

Check out Jesus' parable in Matthew 13, and his answer to the disciples when they ask why he tells so many stories.

Things to think about:
What misconceptions, bad information, political twists, outdated approaches, prejudices, and stereotypes show up around the work you do?
How do those things affect your nonprofit?
What stories could you tell to nudge people toward a better understanding of the issues and the work that you do?

Resources:
Tell it Slant, by Eugene Peterson (affiliate link)
Get your 2023 Story Calendar

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-12371025 Fri, 03 Mar 2023 19:00:00 -0500 1589 84 full false How to be a Fundraising Super Bowl Star How to be a Fundraising Super Bowl Star The Fundraising Super Bowl is your nonprofit's big game - and winning looks like raising the funds you need to serve. Here are some lessons from that "other" big game.

Football coaching legend Vince Lombardi famously said to his almost-champion Green Bay Packers team,  “Gentlemen, this is a football.”

What he meant was they needed to execute the basics well, if they expected to win the big championship game. They had failed to win the championship the year before. But by focusing on the basics, they became a football dynasty.

Lombardi's advice is relevant to you, today, as a nonprofit fundraiser.

Even the best players aren’t perfect.

This year, the winning Super Bowl quarterback was Patrick Mahomes. He completed 21 of 27 passes in the big game. The Eagles’ Jalen Hurts completed 27 of 38 passes.  Not perfect. I find that reassuring.

During the season, the Mahomes completed  67% of his passes.  I’m sure he’d love to be perfect, but he also knows there has never been a perfect game. Nobody has ever started and finished a game without throwing an incomplete pass.

Can you imagine if Patrick Mahomes went out to play, threw a couple of incomplete passes, and then said, "That’s it! We obviously need to just run the ball. No more passing, because I can’t complete every one." He wouldn't do that, because he knows 67% is good.

You Real Job as the Fundraising Quarterback
If you’re the quarterback on your fundraising team. You have a job to do. And that job is simply to move the ball down the field. You line up your team, and execute the appropriate play for the moment. 

In fundraising, that means you’re doing the basics: 

  • Communicating consistently with donors
  • Getting your message in front of new people
  • Thanking them when they give
  • Sending emails 
  • Telling stories 
  • Reporting back

Ladies, and gentlemen, this is an email.
This is a phone call.
This is a face to face visit.

These are the basics that move us incrementally down the field, one play at a time.

Some of those incompletes have nothing to do with you. Other times, you need more practice, training, or time with a coach.

Keep doing the basics–with excellence.
If you need training to tell your stories, check out Mission Writers. 





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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> The Fundraising Super Bowl is your nonprofit's big game - and winning looks like raising the funds you need to serve. Here are some lessons from that "other" big game.

Football coaching legend Vince Lombardi famously said to his almost-champion Green Bay Packers team,  “Gentlemen, this is a football.”

What he meant was they needed to execute the basics well, if they expected to win the big championship game. They had failed to win the championship the year before. But by focusing on the basics, they became a football dynasty.

Lombardi's advice is relevant to you, today, as a nonprofit fundraiser.

Even the best players aren’t perfect.

This year, the winning Super Bowl quarterback was Patrick Mahomes. He completed 21 of 27 passes in the big game. The Eagles’ Jalen Hurts completed 27 of 38 passes.  Not perfect. I find that reassuring.

During the season, the Mahomes completed  67% of his passes.  I’m sure he’d love to be perfect, but he also knows there has never been a perfect game. Nobody has ever started and finished a game without throwing an incomplete pass.

Can you imagine if Patrick Mahomes went out to play, threw a couple of incomplete passes, and then said, "That’s it! We obviously need to just run the ball. No more passing, because I can’t complete every one." He wouldn't do that, because he knows 67% is good.

You Real Job as the Fundraising Quarterback
If you’re the quarterback on your fundraising team. You have a job to do. And that job is simply to move the ball down the field. You line up your team, and execute the appropriate play for the moment. 

In fundraising, that means you’re doing the basics: 

  • Communicating consistently with donors
  • Getting your message in front of new people
  • Thanking them when they give
  • Sending emails 
  • Telling stories 
  • Reporting back

Ladies, and gentlemen, this is an email.
This is a phone call.
This is a face to face visit.

These are the basics that move us incrementally down the field, one play at a time.

Some of those incompletes have nothing to do with you. Other times, you need more practice, training, or time with a coach.

Keep doing the basics–with excellence.
If you need training to tell your stories, check out Mission Writers. 





Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-12268468 Thu, 16 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0500 553 nonprofit, nonprofits, fundraising, nonprofit funding, nonprofit storytelling 83 full false How to be a Great Podcast Guest How to be a Great Podcast Guest Being a guest on podcasts is a great way to share your message. Here's your guide to being a great podcast guest.

Find full show notes and a checklist at lifeandmission.com


Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Being a guest on podcasts is a great way to share your message. Here's your guide to being a great podcast guest.

Find full show notes and a checklist at lifeandmission.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/how-to-be-a-great-podcast-guest/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-12159879 Tue, 31 Jan 2023 22:00:00 -0500 1220 "podcast guesting" 82 full false More Than Podcasting: Are we missing opportunities? More Than Podcasting: Are we missing opportunities? In this interview with Eric Nevins, founder of the Christian Podcasters Association, we discuss the potential waiting to be unlocked through podcasting.

Eric hosts the Halfway There Podcast.



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> In this interview with Eric Nevins, founder of the Christian Podcasters Association, we discuss the potential waiting to be unlocked through podcasting.

Eric hosts the Halfway There Podcast.



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm / Eric Nevins Buzzsprout-12056359 Mon, 16 Jan 2023 17:00:00 -0500 1762 Christian podcasters, podcasting, be a podcast guest 81 full false Three Messages to Send Donors in January Three Messages to Send Donors in January This week on Life and Mission: End-of-year fundraising may be over, but that only sets up some key messaging for January.  In this episode, I'll give you three key messages to send donors in January (plus a bonus).



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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> This week on Life and Mission: End-of-year fundraising may be over, but that only sets up some key messaging for January.  In this episode, I'll give you three key messages to send donors in January (plus a bonus).



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-12027044 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 20:00:00 -0500 995 fundraising, donor communications, nonprofit, ministry fundraising 80 full false Writing Books - Interview with Kent Sanders Writing Books - Interview with Kent Sanders In this episode, Kent Sanders shares his process for ghostwriting and collaborating on book projects. Plus, thoughts on structure and creativity, and his latest project - a book about Elvis.

Kent is the author of 18 Words to Live By: A Father's Wisdom on What Matters Most,   and The Artist's Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey, and co-author of Performance-Driven Giving: The Roadmap to Unleashing the Power of Generosity in Your Life.  He recently collaborated with Billy Stanley for The Faith of Elvis. 

  • What is ghostwriting?
  • The process of writing a book
  • Building a business on your own terms
  • Collaborating on a book
  • Different book structures
  • Mentor books
  • One thing we can do today to improve our writing

Kent is a wonderful teacher, and you can learn more from him through the Daily Writer Podcast or join us in the Daily Writer Club.

Links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation (at no extra cost to you). Thank you.

-----

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> In this episode, Kent Sanders shares his process for ghostwriting and collaborating on book projects. Plus, thoughts on structure and creativity, and his latest project - a book about Elvis.

Kent is the author of 18 Words to Live By: A Father's Wisdom on What Matters Most,   and The Artist's Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey, and co-author of Performance-Driven Giving: The Roadmap to Unleashing the Power of Generosity in Your Life.  He recently collaborated with Billy Stanley for The Faith of Elvis. 

  • What is ghostwriting?
  • The process of writing a book
  • Building a business on your own terms
  • Collaborating on a book
  • Different book structures
  • Mentor books
  • One thing we can do today to improve our writing

Kent is a wonderful teacher, and you can learn more from him through the Daily Writer Podcast or join us in the Daily Writer Club.

Links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation (at no extra cost to you). Thank you.

-----

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm / Kent Sanders Buzzsprout-11835304 Thu, 08 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500 2994 writing, ghostwriter, Elvis book, author, writing books, story structure 79 full false What to do When the Stories Aren't Pretty What to do When the Stories Aren't Pretty When things don't turn out as planned, a well-told setback story can give donors another reason to support you. 

Here are some of the stories you can tell around a setback:

  • Explain the process of change your beneficiaries go through.
  • Focus on one aspect of the change process and help supporters understand why it's such a hurdle.
  • Share a story about the setting that causes difficulties in the change process.
  • Feature something in your work that deals specifically with one of those hurdles.

When you tell stories like this, you show that you're the expert. You're giving donors one more reason to trust you to tackle this problem.



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> When things don't turn out as planned, a well-told setback story can give donors another reason to support you. 

Here are some of the stories you can tell around a setback:

  • Explain the process of change your beneficiaries go through.
  • Focus on one aspect of the change process and help supporters understand why it's such a hurdle.
  • Share a story about the setting that causes difficulties in the change process.
  • Feature something in your work that deals specifically with one of those hurdles.

When you tell stories like this, you show that you're the expert. You're giving donors one more reason to trust you to tackle this problem.



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-11693809 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0500 649 nonprofit storytelling, fundraising, donor communications 3 78 full false How Introverts Can Navigate Events How Introverts Can Navigate Events I have a love-hate relationship with conferences and networking events. While I love to meet new people and to learn new things, large or busy events can get overwhelming. I'm an introvert. I like my alone time. After a lot of activity,  conversations, and noise, I need to go somewhere quiet and recharge. 

Last week's Daily Writer Retreat got me thinking about the advantage of smaller events (at least for me). This was a two-day event, with dinner together at a local restaurant the night before. It was a small event, really much like a mastermind, with only a dozen people. That's one of the things that made this an easy ‘yes’ for me. 

Here are some things that made this event a success  for me:

  • Community & collaboration are powerful.  The hotseat approach (like a mastermind) gave everyone a chance to benefit from the experience and insight of others. The structured approach and focus gave everyone a chance to share their ideas.
  • Simplicity sparks creativity.  In contrast to over-programmed conferences, 
    the slow, simple approach meant we could have deeper conversations and process them in real time, giving new ideas the room they need to develop.
  • Introverts are amazing. In the right environment, introverts are generally superstar listeners. This meant advice from fellow attendees was more likely to be useful and relevant. I think we all left with realistic next steps.

The format of this retreat allowed us, as introverts, to contribute (and receive) consistently through the two days we had together.  Conference planners, if you're not allowing time and space for introverts to shine, you're missing out!

Introverts, understanding how you react to different environments, and structuring your time at events so that you get the breaks you need can make the difference between exhausting and exhilarating!

For more information about the Daily Writer Club - click here (affiliate link)


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> I have a love-hate relationship with conferences and networking events. While I love to meet new people and to learn new things, large or busy events can get overwhelming. I'm an introvert. I like my alone time. After a lot of activity,  conversations, and noise, I need to go somewhere quiet and recharge. 

Last week's Daily Writer Retreat got me thinking about the advantage of smaller events (at least for me). This was a two-day event, with dinner together at a local restaurant the night before. It was a small event, really much like a mastermind, with only a dozen people. That's one of the things that made this an easy ‘yes’ for me. 

Here are some things that made this event a success  for me:

  • Community & collaboration are powerful.  The hotseat approach (like a mastermind) gave everyone a chance to benefit from the experience and insight of others. The structured approach and focus gave everyone a chance to share their ideas.
  • Simplicity sparks creativity.  In contrast to over-programmed conferences, 
    the slow, simple approach meant we could have deeper conversations and process them in real time, giving new ideas the room they need to develop.
  • Introverts are amazing. In the right environment, introverts are generally superstar listeners. This meant advice from fellow attendees was more likely to be useful and relevant. I think we all left with realistic next steps.

The format of this retreat allowed us, as introverts, to contribute (and receive) consistently through the two days we had together.  Conference planners, if you're not allowing time and space for introverts to shine, you're missing out!

Introverts, understanding how you react to different environments, and structuring your time at events so that you get the breaks you need can make the difference between exhausting and exhilarating!

For more information about the Daily Writer Club - click here (affiliate link)


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-11570539 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400 1339 marketing, networking, introverts, events 3 77 full false Using Stories to Connect: Mary Valloni interviews Kay Helm Using Stories to Connect: Mary Valloni interviews Kay Helm The tables are turned as fundraising expert Mary Valloni interviews Kay about using stories to connect with donors.

We talked about:
Using stories to connect
Where we go wrong with storytelling
Stories for people in admin roles
Telling your own origin story
The key story we forget

Missionary fundraising training with Mary Valloni
fullyfundedacademy.com

Level up your storytelling skills with Kay
missionwriters.org
kayhelm.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> The tables are turned as fundraising expert Mary Valloni interviews Kay about using stories to connect with donors.

We talked about:
Using stories to connect
Where we go wrong with storytelling
Stories for people in admin roles
Telling your own origin story
The key story we forget

Missionary fundraising training with Mary Valloni
fullyfundedacademy.com

Level up your storytelling skills with Kay
missionwriters.org
kayhelm.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm / Mary Valloni Buzzsprout-11402282 Wed, 28 Sep 2022 15:00:00 -0400 2469 nonprofit fundraising, storytelling, marketing, funding missionaries 3 76 full false Help Donors Catch Your Stories Help Donors Catch Your Stories Your donors are busy. They’re tired. They make decisions all day in a world where everyone is clamoring for attention. Here's a simple way to help them "catch" your stories.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Your donors are busy. They’re tired. They make decisions all day in a world where everyone is clamoring for attention. Here's a simple way to help them "catch" your stories.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-11312855 Tue, 13 Sep 2022 14:00:00 -0400 616 nonprofit storytelling, fundraising, communication, email, marketing 3 75 full false Adjust Your Messaging to Fit Your Donor's Journey Adjust Your Messaging to Fit Your Donor's Journey Our stories have the power to move supporters along on a journey: introducing them to a problem, dispelling myths, offering hope, introducing them to our organization, showing them how we solve the problem, building trust, and inviting them to take action. 

At any point in time, you'll have people at different stages along these five levels of awareness:

  1. Unaware - They don't even know there is a problem.
  2. Problem Aware - They know about the problem, but not about solutions.
  3. Solution Aware - They know about solutions, but not so much about your organization or the work you do.
  4. Brand Aware - They know about you! But they aren't convinced you are the right fit for them.
  5. Most Aware - They get it! They know about the problem, what you do to solve the problem, they know, like, and trust you, and they're ready to join you (just waiting for you to ask). 

It’s important to think about the donor’s journey, and where they are in it, when crafting our stories. We must also consider our organization's goals (increase monthly donations, bust a myth around the problem we solve, attract volunteers, etc.) and position ourselves and the story accordingly. 

Adjust your flaps–address potential donors according to the stage of awareness they're in. 

Do this, and donors will be more informed, engaged, and ready to respond when it’s time to ask for their support.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Our stories have the power to move supporters along on a journey: introducing them to a problem, dispelling myths, offering hope, introducing them to our organization, showing them how we solve the problem, building trust, and inviting them to take action. 

At any point in time, you'll have people at different stages along these five levels of awareness:

  1. Unaware - They don't even know there is a problem.
  2. Problem Aware - They know about the problem, but not about solutions.
  3. Solution Aware - They know about solutions, but not so much about your organization or the work you do.
  4. Brand Aware - They know about you! But they aren't convinced you are the right fit for them.
  5. Most Aware - They get it! They know about the problem, what you do to solve the problem, they know, like, and trust you, and they're ready to join you (just waiting for you to ask). 

It’s important to think about the donor’s journey, and where they are in it, when crafting our stories. We must also consider our organization's goals (increase monthly donations, bust a myth around the problem we solve, attract volunteers, etc.) and position ourselves and the story accordingly. 

Adjust your flaps–address potential donors according to the stage of awareness they're in. 

Do this, and donors will be more informed, engaged, and ready to respond when it’s time to ask for their support.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-11237016 Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:00:00 -0400 675 nonprofit, storytelling, fundraising, communication, donor journey, stages of awareness 3 74 full false Joyful Copy: Interview with Joy Capps Joyful Copy: Interview with Joy Capps My guest today is Joy Capps, author of Joyful Copy—How to Show Up in the Marketplace Ethically and Authentically. 

There are a lot of copywriting formulas and blueprints, and many ways to reach your audience. But not all ways line up with what we know to be ethical and true. Joy created her Joyful Copy framework to help us write marketing copy that isn’t slimy. Based on Galatians 5:22-23 and Philippians 4:8, her framework filters best practices of copywriting through the teachings of the Bible.

Links

Connect with Joy at joycapps.com
Instagram – @joycappswrites
Facebook
LinkedIn

Get the book – Joyful Copy–How to Show Up in the Marketplace Ethically and Authentically on Amazon, or at joyfulcopy.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> My guest today is Joy Capps, author of Joyful Copy—How to Show Up in the Marketplace Ethically and Authentically. 

There are a lot of copywriting formulas and blueprints, and many ways to reach your audience. But not all ways line up with what we know to be ethical and true. Joy created her Joyful Copy framework to help us write marketing copy that isn’t slimy. Based on Galatians 5:22-23 and Philippians 4:8, her framework filters best practices of copywriting through the teachings of the Bible.

Links

Connect with Joy at joycapps.com
Instagram – @joycappswrites
Facebook
LinkedIn

Get the book – Joyful Copy–How to Show Up in the Marketplace Ethically and Authentically on Amazon, or at joyfulcopy.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/73 Kay Helm / Joy Capps Buzzsprout-11151567 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400 1853 copywriting, marketing, ethical, authenticity, biblical, Christian, marketplace 3 73 full false What Airbnb can teach nonprofits about storytelling What Airbnb can teach nonprofits about storytelling Every story gives us a chance to choose. Do we set up a “them and us” narrative, or will we do the work to offer another perspective?

Airbnb runs an ad featuring a family of shaggy “monsters” enjoying their vacation. the goal of the ad is to invite people to become hosts on the platform. It starts where many of us are when it comes to inviting strangers to stay in our homes–it’s a little scary. But then we see a delightful series of scenes: enjoying beautiful views with a cuppa tea, a family hike, collecting shells, talking selfies, watching a movie, playing games…

These are simple things we enjoy with our own families.

The shaggy monsters clean up after themselves, straighten a picture on the wall, and leave a thank you note. As they close the door, we finally see them as they really are–a human family, just like us.

Click here to watch the ad.

Kevin Morby’s song, Beautiful Strangers, provides a relaxed musical backdrop. Not a word is spoken. It’s a beautifully orchestrated story with an important message:

Strangers aren’t that strange. We have more in common than not.

The stories we tell carry this kind of power to connect, too.

Unfortunately, in our attempts to elicit emotion (or donations), we often emphasize our differences rather than our shared humanity. When we do this, we miss opportunities to present a realistic and nuanced view of the problems we solve. At worst, we reinforce stereotypes and even exploit the people we are called to serve.

Every story gives us a chance to choose. Do we set up a “them and us” narrative, or will we do the work to offer another perspective?

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Every story gives us a chance to choose. Do we set up a “them and us” narrative, or will we do the work to offer another perspective?

Airbnb runs an ad featuring a family of shaggy “monsters” enjoying their vacation. the goal of the ad is to invite people to become hosts on the platform. It starts where many of us are when it comes to inviting strangers to stay in our homes–it’s a little scary. But then we see a delightful series of scenes: enjoying beautiful views with a cuppa tea, a family hike, collecting shells, talking selfies, watching a movie, playing games…

These are simple things we enjoy with our own families.

The shaggy monsters clean up after themselves, straighten a picture on the wall, and leave a thank you note. As they close the door, we finally see them as they really are–a human family, just like us.

Click here to watch the ad.

Kevin Morby’s song, Beautiful Strangers, provides a relaxed musical backdrop. Not a word is spoken. It’s a beautifully orchestrated story with an important message:

Strangers aren’t that strange. We have more in common than not.

The stories we tell carry this kind of power to connect, too.

Unfortunately, in our attempts to elicit emotion (or donations), we often emphasize our differences rather than our shared humanity. When we do this, we miss opportunities to present a realistic and nuanced view of the problems we solve. At worst, we reinforce stereotypes and even exploit the people we are called to serve.

Every story gives us a chance to choose. Do we set up a “them and us” narrative, or will we do the work to offer another perspective?

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-11112075 Tue, 09 Aug 2022 23:00:00 -0400 973 storytelling, nonprofits, culture 3 72 full false Fundraising in Uncertain Times Fundraising in Uncertain Times I got a message today from a supporter who needs to stop her monthly donations. I'm thinking of my friends in ministry who raise support–missionary support or raising funds for the ministry as a whole–and you’re on the field, you’re doing the work, and you get a message like this.

The temptation is to shrink back. The temptation is to say, "Well, people are hurting (they are) and so I feel bad asking for money to support the ministry." But I want to encourage you that this is not the time to pull back. 

The money belongs to God. 
It’s not yours. 
It’s not your donor’s money. 
It’s God’s. 

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Proverbs 21:1

Things are being moved around, yes. Some donors will leave you. But some will also come to you. Coming or going, we’re still called to relationship. We’re in this together. The resources belong to God, and He will move them around from time to time. 

You still have to do your part. 
You still have to be ready to receive.
You have to make it easy for people to give.
You need to ask.
Not only ask–more than ever, you need to tell stories. 

Fundraising is part of discipling and leading and ministering to the people God has given you for this season. You pray together, weep together, celebrate together.

If you feel bad about asking for money, ask yourself a few questions:

  1. Do I only talk to my people when I need something? 
  2. Am I sharing the ministry with them without asking for money? (stories)
  3. Do they ever get to see the smiles I get to see? 
  4. Do they ever experience the joy and fulfillment I feel on a day when I absolutely know that God is with me, and that God loves without reserve the people He’s called me to serve? 

If you haven’t been telling stories, sharing the work, sharing the joy, then start now.  We grow closer by sharing stories. 

We are fundraisers, but it’s not the only thing we are. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We bear one another's burdens. We share one another’s joys. We celebrate all that God is doing and look to Him with eager expectation.

We find solid ground to stand on when we remind each other of God’s faithfulness. Don’t just say He’s faithful, share the story of how you know he’s faithful. This is the word of your testimony. We are always called to glorify the name of the Lord.  Stories help us to see how He is moving and working in the world today.

We need that. 

There is a time to ask - and yes, you can ask in tough economic times. But at any time, you must tell stories. And you must tell stories before earning the right to ask. 

Share the stories. Share them with boldness and confidence in the Lord, as you trust Him to turn hearts and resources where He wishes. 


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> I got a message today from a supporter who needs to stop her monthly donations. I'm thinking of my friends in ministry who raise support–missionary support or raising funds for the ministry as a whole–and you’re on the field, you’re doing the work, and you get a message like this.

The temptation is to shrink back. The temptation is to say, "Well, people are hurting (they are) and so I feel bad asking for money to support the ministry." But I want to encourage you that this is not the time to pull back. 

The money belongs to God. 
It’s not yours. 
It’s not your donor’s money. 
It’s God’s. 

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Proverbs 21:1

Things are being moved around, yes. Some donors will leave you. But some will also come to you. Coming or going, we’re still called to relationship. We’re in this together. The resources belong to God, and He will move them around from time to time. 

You still have to do your part. 
You still have to be ready to receive.
You have to make it easy for people to give.
You need to ask.
Not only ask–more than ever, you need to tell stories. 

Fundraising is part of discipling and leading and ministering to the people God has given you for this season. You pray together, weep together, celebrate together.

If you feel bad about asking for money, ask yourself a few questions:

  1. Do I only talk to my people when I need something? 
  2. Am I sharing the ministry with them without asking for money? (stories)
  3. Do they ever get to see the smiles I get to see? 
  4. Do they ever experience the joy and fulfillment I feel on a day when I absolutely know that God is with me, and that God loves without reserve the people He’s called me to serve? 

If you haven’t been telling stories, sharing the work, sharing the joy, then start now.  We grow closer by sharing stories. 

We are fundraisers, but it’s not the only thing we are. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We bear one another's burdens. We share one another’s joys. We celebrate all that God is doing and look to Him with eager expectation.

We find solid ground to stand on when we remind each other of God’s faithfulness. Don’t just say He’s faithful, share the story of how you know he’s faithful. This is the word of your testimony. We are always called to glorify the name of the Lord.  Stories help us to see how He is moving and working in the world today.

We need that. 

There is a time to ask - and yes, you can ask in tough economic times. But at any time, you must tell stories. And you must tell stories before earning the right to ask. 

Share the stories. Share them with boldness and confidence in the Lord, as you trust Him to turn hearts and resources where He wishes. 


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-11028662 Tue, 26 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0400 900 fundraising, ministry, missions, nonprofits, faith, storytelling 3 71 full false Help donors read your fundraising materials Help donors read your fundraising materials How to make your fundraising materials more inviting and easier to read, so more people can join you in your life-changing mission. 

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> How to make your fundraising materials more inviting and easier to read, so more people can join you in your life-changing mission. 

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-10928100 Tue, 12 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0400 1110 donor communications, writing for nonprofits, fundraising 3 70 full false Flamingo Marketing Mindset with Katie Hornor Flamingo Marketing Mindset with Katie Hornor My interview with Katie Hornor, author of Flamingo Marketing: How to Leverage Unique, Stay Relevant and Change the World

[00:02:28]  Leverage your unique
[00:04:11]  Why mindset is so important
[00:06:03]  Doing hard things
[00:09:26]  Time management
[00:13:08]  Legacy
[00:14:03]  Details on the book

Katie has bonuses for you at freeflamingobook.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> My interview with Katie Hornor, author of Flamingo Marketing: How to Leverage Unique, Stay Relevant and Change the World

[00:02:28]  Leverage your unique
[00:04:11]  Why mindset is so important
[00:06:03]  Doing hard things
[00:09:26]  Time management
[00:13:08]  Legacy
[00:14:03]  Details on the book

Katie has bonuses for you at freeflamingobook.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/69 Kay Helm / Katie Hornor Buzzsprout-10874766 Wed, 29 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0400 1208 business, marketing, mindset, Christian, entrepreneur 3 69 full false Three Takeaways for Communicators from TVE4 Three Takeaways for Communicators from TVE4 My three top takeaways from the Virtual Event on Virtual Events, and how you can serve your people by sharing the things you learn.

I try to attend something every year that’s outside of but adjacent to my field. It helps me see things with fresh eyes. New possibilities, solutions to old problems, and a break from the routine.  I recently attended The Virtual Event for Virtual Events and came away inspired and energized.

Here are my top three takeaways that any communicator (even if you're not doing events) can use:

  1. Write in sand, not cement. You don't have to have it all figured out. Jump in. Get into the mix. Have those fun awkward conversations as you figure things out. Go on a journey with your people and figure it out together! 
  2. Macro clear, micro easy. Get absolutely clear on what problem you solve for the people you serve. How do you make a difference for them? Once you’re clear on that, the other things fall into place.
  3. Show what’s possible. Everything you do shows the people you serve what is possible, so you can't afford to play small. 

My challenge to you:
Take something you learned through an event, conference, sermon, or personal experience and share that with your with your audience. 

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> My three top takeaways from the Virtual Event on Virtual Events, and how you can serve your people by sharing the things you learn.

I try to attend something every year that’s outside of but adjacent to my field. It helps me see things with fresh eyes. New possibilities, solutions to old problems, and a break from the routine.  I recently attended The Virtual Event for Virtual Events and came away inspired and energized.

Here are my top three takeaways that any communicator (even if you're not doing events) can use:

  1. Write in sand, not cement. You don't have to have it all figured out. Jump in. Get into the mix. Have those fun awkward conversations as you figure things out. Go on a journey with your people and figure it out together! 
  2. Macro clear, micro easy. Get absolutely clear on what problem you solve for the people you serve. How do you make a difference for them? Once you’re clear on that, the other things fall into place.
  3. Show what’s possible. Everything you do shows the people you serve what is possible, so you can't afford to play small. 

My challenge to you:
Take something you learned through an event, conference, sermon, or personal experience and share that with your with your audience. 

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-10849704 Fri, 24 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0400 958 marketing, communicate, nonprofits, events, virtual events, eventlife 3 68 full false Why you need stories to raise funds Why you need stories to raise funds You need to tell stories to raise more funds for your mission, ministry or nonprofit. But why is that? What exactly is it that stories do?

Every known culture tells stories. This is the way we make sense of the world and our place in it. All through the donor journey, especially with people who are not yet aware of you and your mission. Stories help draw them in, and help them get to know, like, and trust you. 

Why Tell Stories?

  • Stories help us connect – When you listen to a story, your brainwaves  actually start to synchronize with those of the storyteller. 
  • Research shows compelling stories cause our brains to release oxytocin, increase empathy, and have the power to affect our behaviors.
  • Stories help us remember who we are and what we’re about. Donors give to their values. Telling stories that reflect those values help donors make good decisions about whether you’re a good match for them. 
  • Stories reveal truths – your storytelling can help people see the world in a new way. Shift perspectives, overcome prejudices.
  • Stories offer dignity and context for beneficiaries, and give them a voice.
  • Stories put our critical minds aside for a moment, and we willingly enter into the narrative. We try to find ourselves in the story. 
  • Stories give us context to make sense of all those things.

You don’t just “need a story” to fill a space in your newsletter. You need a story to show donors what they can accomplish by giving to your mission. Where do they fit in this story? Not just through giving, but in the big picture of a world where this thing is a problem. They can reflect their values, glorify God, ease suffering, and experience deep personal satisfaction by stepping into this story and playing an active role.

In our ministries, stories are an invitation into a world most people haven’t experienced. If I live in America and I’m immersed in church culture, and all my friends are Christians, I don’t give much thought to what it’s like to not know who Jesus is. To not have ever seen a bible. So, when you say you need funds to go and preach the gospel, or to live in another culture for several years so they can have a bible in their language, you can’t just start there. You have to bring donors into that world and give context to what you do and why you do it. You do that with stories.

I’m convinced one of the most powerful helps for us to tell better stories is to think about why we tell stories in the first place! 



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> You need to tell stories to raise more funds for your mission, ministry or nonprofit. But why is that? What exactly is it that stories do?

Every known culture tells stories. This is the way we make sense of the world and our place in it. All through the donor journey, especially with people who are not yet aware of you and your mission. Stories help draw them in, and help them get to know, like, and trust you. 

Why Tell Stories?

  • Stories help us connect – When you listen to a story, your brainwaves  actually start to synchronize with those of the storyteller. 
  • Research shows compelling stories cause our brains to release oxytocin, increase empathy, and have the power to affect our behaviors.
  • Stories help us remember who we are and what we’re about. Donors give to their values. Telling stories that reflect those values help donors make good decisions about whether you’re a good match for them. 
  • Stories reveal truths – your storytelling can help people see the world in a new way. Shift perspectives, overcome prejudices.
  • Stories offer dignity and context for beneficiaries, and give them a voice.
  • Stories put our critical minds aside for a moment, and we willingly enter into the narrative. We try to find ourselves in the story. 
  • Stories give us context to make sense of all those things.

You don’t just “need a story” to fill a space in your newsletter. You need a story to show donors what they can accomplish by giving to your mission. Where do they fit in this story? Not just through giving, but in the big picture of a world where this thing is a problem. They can reflect their values, glorify God, ease suffering, and experience deep personal satisfaction by stepping into this story and playing an active role.

In our ministries, stories are an invitation into a world most people haven’t experienced. If I live in America and I’m immersed in church culture, and all my friends are Christians, I don’t give much thought to what it’s like to not know who Jesus is. To not have ever seen a bible. So, when you say you need funds to go and preach the gospel, or to live in another culture for several years so they can have a bible in their language, you can’t just start there. You have to bring donors into that world and give context to what you do and why you do it. You do that with stories.

I’m convinced one of the most powerful helps for us to tell better stories is to think about why we tell stories in the first place! 



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-10826678 Mon, 20 Jun 2022 19:00:00 -0400 498 fundraising, nonprofit 3 67 full false Life and Mission Season Three Life and Mission Season Three It's a new season for the Life and Mission podcast! 

Mission Writers

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> It's a new season for the Life and Mission podcast! 

Mission Writers

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-10806926 Thu, 16 Jun 2022 18:00:00 -0400 415 3 66 full false Replay: One Woman Can Change the World Replay: One Woman Can Change the World Ronne Rock is a storyteller, truth-teller, hope-dealer, and author of One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God- Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are.

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Ronne Rock is a storyteller, truth-teller, hope-dealer, and author of One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God- Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm / Ronne Rock Buzzsprout-8632956 Wed, 02 Jun 2021 14:00:00 -0400 3810 women, purpose, mission, storyteller, hope, womanempowerment, author, writer 65 full false Four Words Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Master Four Words Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Master Mission and vision are words we hear often, but we can struggle to differentiate between them. As leaders, communicators, and fundraisers, the confusion can cost us.

We have a great cause! Why won’t people join us? Why don’t they give?

Maybe it’s because we’re not being clear. They can’t see the big picture, and they don’t understand what we’re doing or how what we do fits in with the big picture. In this episode, I’m talking about vision, mission, goals, something I call handles, and how all of these work together.

  1. Vision (1:24)
  2. Mission (4:14)
  3. Goals (7:34)
  4. Handles (8:33)

Understanding these four words, and training our team to use them in the same way, will help us to more easily see our collaborators, and connect with the hearts of the people that God sends across our paths. It will help us to express more freely and more clearly what we’ve set out to do, and how people can be a part of it.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Mission and vision are words we hear often, but we can struggle to differentiate between them. As leaders, communicators, and fundraisers, the confusion can cost us.

We have a great cause! Why won’t people join us? Why don’t they give?

Maybe it’s because we’re not being clear. They can’t see the big picture, and they don’t understand what we’re doing or how what we do fits in with the big picture. In this episode, I’m talking about vision, mission, goals, something I call handles, and how all of these work together.

  1. Vision (1:24)
  2. Mission (4:14)
  3. Goals (7:34)
  4. Handles (8:33)

Understanding these four words, and training our team to use them in the same way, will help us to more easily see our collaborators, and connect with the hearts of the people that God sends across our paths. It will help us to express more freely and more clearly what we’ve set out to do, and how people can be a part of it.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/four-words-every-nonprofit-leader-needs-to-master/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-8558976 Thu, 20 May 2021 18:00:00 -0400 813 nonprofit, nonprofits, communication, mission, vision, goals, fundraising 64 full false How to Enjoy Fundraising and Build Better Relationships, with David Oaks How to Enjoy Fundraising and Build Better Relationships, with David Oaks Fundraising doesn’t have to be a chore! Why should it be? We get to invite people into a greater story. David Oaks and I had a fun conversation about the simple things you can put into practice today to build better relationships and raise more money for your mission.

Connect with David:
Website: www.wsdevelop.com
Instagram: @davidLoaks12
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLOaks
Twitter: @davidoaks

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Fundraising doesn’t have to be a chore! Why should it be? We get to invite people into a greater story. David Oaks and I had a fun conversation about the simple things you can put into practice today to build better relationships and raise more money for your mission.

Connect with David:
Website: www.wsdevelop.com
Instagram: @davidLoaks12
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLOaks
Twitter: @davidoaks

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/how-to-enjoy-fundraising-and-build-better-relationships-with-david-oaks/ Kay Helm / David Oaks Buzzsprout-8469392 Thu, 06 May 2021 01:00:00 -0400 3378 nonprofit, non-profits, fundraising 63 full false How to Beat Imposter Syndrome, with Jennifer Harshman How to Beat Imposter Syndrome, with Jennifer Harshman How do we get past that nagging feeling that we aren't qualified or "ready" to do that thing we're supposed to do?

Imposter syndrome is that feeling many of us get when we start something new, where we question our qualifications, our abilities, or even our right to be involved at all. Jennifer Harshman works with people who want to make a difference, mostly writers and entrepreneurs. She says imposter syndrome is something we can all struggle with, but there are ways to overcome it.

  • Talk back to your inner critic
  • Strike a power pose
  • Take a small step every day
  • Celebrate taking that small step, no matter how it goes

What's your strategy to beat imposter syndrome?

About
Jennifer Harshman shows people who want to make a difference exactly what to put in their books and blog posts and where, so they get the clarity and confidence they need to start writing immediately.
Connect with Jennifer at harshmanservices.com
facebook.com/jennifer.harshman



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> How do we get past that nagging feeling that we aren't qualified or "ready" to do that thing we're supposed to do?

Imposter syndrome is that feeling many of us get when we start something new, where we question our qualifications, our abilities, or even our right to be involved at all. Jennifer Harshman works with people who want to make a difference, mostly writers and entrepreneurs. She says imposter syndrome is something we can all struggle with, but there are ways to overcome it.

  • Talk back to your inner critic
  • Strike a power pose
  • Take a small step every day
  • Celebrate taking that small step, no matter how it goes

What's your strategy to beat imposter syndrome?

About
Jennifer Harshman shows people who want to make a difference exactly what to put in their books and blog posts and where, so they get the clarity and confidence they need to start writing immediately.
Connect with Jennifer at harshmanservices.com
facebook.com/jennifer.harshman



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/62/ Kay Helm / Jennifer Harshman Buzzsprout-8367495 Mon, 19 Apr 2021 23:00:00 -0400 2293 impostersyndrome, confidence, growth, mindset, innercritic 62 full false Slow Living with Jodi Grubbs Slow Living with Jodi Grubbs How can moments of slow living create an island of peace in our daily lives?  Jodi Grubbs is a slow living advocate and host of the Our Island in the City podcast. Here are some of the ways we  can slow down and connect in the midst of our busy lives.

Guest:
Our Island in the City
Connect with Jodi on Instagram @jodi.grubbs

Sponsor:
Get Out of the Boat, A Bible-Based Business Virtual Retreat, April 30, 2021
getoutoftheboat.com

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> How can moments of slow living create an island of peace in our daily lives?  Jodi Grubbs is a slow living advocate and host of the Our Island in the City podcast. Here are some of the ways we  can slow down and connect in the midst of our busy lives.

Guest:
Our Island in the City
Connect with Jodi on Instagram @jodi.grubbs

Sponsor:
Get Out of the Boat, A Bible-Based Business Virtual Retreat, April 30, 2021
getoutoftheboat.com

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/61 Kay Helm / Jodi Grubbs Buzzsprout-8286786 Wed, 07 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1559 soul care, slow living, relax, rest 61 full false Telling Stories Well, with Chris Staron Telling Stories Well, with Chris Staron Chris Staron is an award-winning filmmaker, an author, comedian, and podcaster. As host of the Truce Podcast, Chris uses journalistic tools to provide history and context to better understand the Christian church today. He gives us an inside look into his storytelling process, and why the stories we tell are so important.

Connect with Chris at trucepodcast.com

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]]> Chris Staron is an award-winning filmmaker, an author, comedian, and podcaster. As host of the Truce Podcast, Chris uses journalistic tools to provide history and context to better understand the Christian church today. He gives us an inside look into his storytelling process, and why the stories we tell are so important.

Connect with Chris at trucepodcast.com

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/60 Kay Helm / Chris Staron Buzzsprout-8200701 Wed, 24 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0400 2497 storytelling, podcasting, christian media, expectations 60 full false Replay: Fundraising Freedom, with Mary Valloni Replay: Fundraising Freedom, with Mary Valloni What's keeping your nonprofit or ministry from being fully funded?
Mary Valloni lays down some truth to help us overcome the lies we believe about money and fundraising. Plus, simple things you can do today to start your journey to Fully Funded.

Connect with Mary at maryvalloni.com and at fullyfundedacademy.com

Need a Certified Fully Funded Coach?
fullyfundedacademy.com/kayhelm

Get the book: Fundraising Freedom: 7 Steps to Build and Sustain Your Next Campaign

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> What's keeping your nonprofit or ministry from being fully funded?
Mary Valloni lays down some truth to help us overcome the lies we believe about money and fundraising. Plus, simple things you can do today to start your journey to Fully Funded.

Connect with Mary at maryvalloni.com and at fullyfundedacademy.com

Need a Certified Fully Funded Coach?
fullyfundedacademy.com/kayhelm

Get the book: Fundraising Freedom: 7 Steps to Build and Sustain Your Next Campaign

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/59 Kay Helm / Mary Valloni Buzzsprout-8112163 Tue, 09 Mar 2021 21:00:00 -0500 2743 nonprofit, non-profit, ministry, missions, fundraising, "fully funded", money, mindset, coach 59 full false Faith, Calling, and Sparking Connections with Misty Phillip Faith, Calling, and Sparking Connections with Misty Phillip Misty Phillip is using her gifts and her calling to bring people together. In 2020, she hosted two events–one live, right before the lockdown–and the second as a virtual event. We talked about the differences and similarities between live and virtual events, Misty’s personal journey of faith, and cultivating community.

About Misty Phillip
Misty is a dreamer and a doer who believes we are all here for a reason and that we are created for a purpose. She encourages people to use their story to give God glory. Misty Phillip is a podcaster, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping you spark your soul message.

Founder of Spark Media which consists of the Spark Christian Podcast Conference, Spark Now Summit, and the Spark Collective. She is the host of the popular By His Grace podcast. Misty inspires others through her leadership, speaking, and mastermind groups. She currently serves as the Houston Connect Leader for Christian Women In Media. Misty is the author of the best-selling Bible Study, The Struggle is Real: But So is God and Spark Podcast Planner 2020.

MistyPhillip.com and SparkMedia.Ventures
Connect with Misty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Misty Phillip is using her gifts and her calling to bring people together. In 2020, she hosted two events–one live, right before the lockdown–and the second as a virtual event. We talked about the differences and similarities between live and virtual events, Misty’s personal journey of faith, and cultivating community.

About Misty Phillip
Misty is a dreamer and a doer who believes we are all here for a reason and that we are created for a purpose. She encourages people to use their story to give God glory. Misty Phillip is a podcaster, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping you spark your soul message.

Founder of Spark Media which consists of the Spark Christian Podcast Conference, Spark Now Summit, and the Spark Collective. She is the host of the popular By His Grace podcast. Misty inspires others through her leadership, speaking, and mastermind groups. She currently serves as the Houston Connect Leader for Christian Women In Media. Misty is the author of the best-selling Bible Study, The Struggle is Real: But So is God and Spark Podcast Planner 2020.

MistyPhillip.com and SparkMedia.Ventures
Connect with Misty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/58/ Kay Helm / Misty Phillip Buzzsprout-8009978 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 19:00:00 -0500 1732 faith, community, connection, podcasting, events 58 full false All About Podcasting, with Alana Dawson All About Podcasting, with Alana Dawson If you've ever wanted to start a podcast, this is for you. But not only podcasts, we're talking about going where your audience is, the process of creating content, and how to get your message out to the world.

About
Alana is a podcast coach, editor, and podcast producer who is on a mission to take the overwhelm, frustration, & stress out of podcasting, and put the fun back in! Alana is the host of The Podcasting Party Podcast, where she shares simplified step-by-step instructions, and easy-to-implement strategies for podcasters of all stages & phases.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanapdawson/
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastingparty/
Website: https://alanadawson.com


Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> If you've ever wanted to start a podcast, this is for you. But not only podcasts, we're talking about going where your audience is, the process of creating content, and how to get your message out to the world.

About
Alana is a podcast coach, editor, and podcast producer who is on a mission to take the overwhelm, frustration, & stress out of podcasting, and put the fun back in! Alana is the host of The Podcasting Party Podcast, where she shares simplified step-by-step instructions, and easy-to-implement strategies for podcasters of all stages & phases.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanapdawson/
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastingparty/
Website: https://alanadawson.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/57/ Kay Helm / Alana Dawson Buzzsprout-7551223 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 23:00:00 -0500 2222 podcastcoach, podcasting, blogging, contentcreation, contentmarketing, marketing 57 full false Creating a Community for Writers with Brandy Wallner & Hope*Writers Creating a Community for Writers with Brandy Wallner & Hope*Writers I sat down with Brandy Wallner of Hope*Writers to talk about three things writers and creatives need to succeed.

1. A guide
2. Good, fresh information
3. Community

Brandy is a community writer for Hope*Writers, tasked with building community and keeping members on track.

For more about Hope*Writers
https://lifeandmission.com/hope

Do you dream of publishing your writing but you’re not sure what to do next (or where to start)? Check out this free quiz to help you identify where you are on the writing path.

I am a Hope*Writer affiliate, which means if you become a member of the Hope*Writer community, I get paid. That helps keep this podcast going. Thank you!

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> I sat down with Brandy Wallner of Hope*Writers to talk about three things writers and creatives need to succeed.

1. A guide
2. Good, fresh information
3. Community

Brandy is a community writer for Hope*Writers, tasked with building community and keeping members on track.

For more about Hope*Writers
https://lifeandmission.com/hope

Do you dream of publishing your writing but you’re not sure what to do next (or where to start)? Check out this free quiz to help you identify where you are on the writing path.

I am a Hope*Writer affiliate, which means if you become a member of the Hope*Writer community, I get paid. That helps keep this podcast going. Thank you!

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/56/ Kay Helm / Brandy Wallner Buzzsprout-7364995 Mon, 18 Jan 2021 22:00:00 -0500 2273 writing, writing community, hopewriterlife 56 full false Lessons for Life and Ministry with Tom Lane Lessons for Life and Ministry with Tom Lane Tom Lane is the apostolic senior pastor at Gateway Church and author of Tested and Approved: 21 Lessons for Life and Ministry

Tom Lane is the apostolic senior pastor at Gateway Church in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. As an elder, he provides spiritual governance for Gateway’s ministries. As a pastor to pastors, Tom is a long-term, trusted Christian leader. Tom has written many books including Heritage: A Father’s Influence to the Generations, Foundations of Healthy Church Government, and he coauthored Strong Women and the Men Who Love Them with his wife, Jan.

https://gatewaypublishing.com/products/tested-and-approved

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Tom Lane is the apostolic senior pastor at Gateway Church and author of Tested and Approved: 21 Lessons for Life and Ministry

Tom Lane is the apostolic senior pastor at Gateway Church in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. As an elder, he provides spiritual governance for Gateway’s ministries. As a pastor to pastors, Tom is a long-term, trusted Christian leader. Tom has written many books including Heritage: A Father’s Influence to the Generations, Foundations of Healthy Church Government, and he coauthored Strong Women and the Men Who Love Them with his wife, Jan.

https://gatewaypublishing.com/products/tested-and-approved

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/55 Kay Helm / Tom Lane Buzzsprout-7285582 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 22:00:00 -0500 3975 leadership, ministry, mentor, lifecoach 55 full false Looking up at the end of 2020 Looking up at the end of 2020 Some thoughts on the hope of Christmas, and I share shorts from my friends in the Christian Podcasters Association.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."   Luke 2:10

Several friends eager to run into the New Year have asked me, “Do you have your word for 2021?” Actually, I don't have a single word. I have a phrase from the song O Holy Night. The soaring, triumphant anthem for a world so drained and exhausted that it knows our only hope is to look up.   

I imagine us all on our knees, weak and heavy, turning just enough to catch a furtive glance of someone moving. Emmanuel, our Savior. God with us. But He's not what we expected!   What is this?   He's just a baby!   We need a king!   We run after the tangible but fleeting hope of humans and human systems that can only offer the illusion of security. The promise of rest never realized.

Until…   

One night in a small town, a lonely couple with nowhere to go settles among the animals and lays their newborn in a manger. As the baby cries his first breaths, the sky grows bright over the hill country. Startled shepherds rise to investigate, then fall back to the ground in awe and wonder. The light and the sound of the angels' song is nearly too much to bear. With their heads still pressed to the ground, they turn just enough to glimpse the heavenly choir. Gasping for breath, overwhelmed. Praises tumble from their lips as a thrill of hope invigorates their souls.   

Through the years, the angels' praise continues. But our jaded, impatient world, discontent and numb, marches on from season to season. Have we lost enough strength to fall to our knees? It's the weary world that rejoices. The weary world suspects we were meant for more.   The rest of Bethlehem went about its business that night. But the baby's exhausted parents and the shepherds; they were the ones who noticed. It was the weary ones on their knees that gained that thrill of hope.   

The truth of Christmas is that we cannot save ourselves.   
The promise of Christmas is that God loved us so completely that He sent His son to save us.   

"The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."
  - O Holy Night   

He wrapped us in a starry sky, calling us to look up. He gave His only son to us. Wonderful Counselor. Prince of Peace. The government shall be upon His shoulders, and of His kingdom, there shall be no end.   

This year has been challenging, but not without hope. Weary ones, may this week of in-between be filled with the wonder of Christ's birth and the thrill of hope that only He can bring.   
~Kay

Also this week, I'm sharing short takes from my friends in the Christian Podcasters Association:

Letters from Home Podcast, by Meg Glesener
https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/
https://www.twitter.com/letters_podcast

Life, Repurposed Podcast, by Michelle Rayburn
http://www.liferepurposed.me
https://twitter.com/michellerayburn

Truce Podcast, by Chris Staron
https://trucepodcast.com/
https://twitter.com/trucepodcast

Moments with Moni Podcast, by Monika Hardy
https://www.momentswithmoni.com
https://twitter.com/Monika_Hardy

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Some thoughts on the hope of Christmas, and I share shorts from my friends in the Christian Podcasters Association.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."   Luke 2:10

Several friends eager to run into the New Year have asked me, “Do you have your word for 2021?” Actually, I don't have a single word. I have a phrase from the song O Holy Night. The soaring, triumphant anthem for a world so drained and exhausted that it knows our only hope is to look up.   

I imagine us all on our knees, weak and heavy, turning just enough to catch a furtive glance of someone moving. Emmanuel, our Savior. God with us. But He's not what we expected!   What is this?   He's just a baby!   We need a king!   We run after the tangible but fleeting hope of humans and human systems that can only offer the illusion of security. The promise of rest never realized.

Until…   

One night in a small town, a lonely couple with nowhere to go settles among the animals and lays their newborn in a manger. As the baby cries his first breaths, the sky grows bright over the hill country. Startled shepherds rise to investigate, then fall back to the ground in awe and wonder. The light and the sound of the angels' song is nearly too much to bear. With their heads still pressed to the ground, they turn just enough to glimpse the heavenly choir. Gasping for breath, overwhelmed. Praises tumble from their lips as a thrill of hope invigorates their souls.   

Through the years, the angels' praise continues. But our jaded, impatient world, discontent and numb, marches on from season to season. Have we lost enough strength to fall to our knees? It's the weary world that rejoices. The weary world suspects we were meant for more.   The rest of Bethlehem went about its business that night. But the baby's exhausted parents and the shepherds; they were the ones who noticed. It was the weary ones on their knees that gained that thrill of hope.   

The truth of Christmas is that we cannot save ourselves.   
The promise of Christmas is that God loved us so completely that He sent His son to save us.   

"The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."
  - O Holy Night   

He wrapped us in a starry sky, calling us to look up. He gave His only son to us. Wonderful Counselor. Prince of Peace. The government shall be upon His shoulders, and of His kingdom, there shall be no end.   

This year has been challenging, but not without hope. Weary ones, may this week of in-between be filled with the wonder of Christ's birth and the thrill of hope that only He can bring.   
~Kay

Also this week, I'm sharing short takes from my friends in the Christian Podcasters Association:

Letters from Home Podcast, by Meg Glesener
https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/
https://www.twitter.com/letters_podcast

Life, Repurposed Podcast, by Michelle Rayburn
http://www.liferepurposed.me
https://twitter.com/michellerayburn

Truce Podcast, by Chris Staron
https://trucepodcast.com/
https://twitter.com/trucepodcast

Moments with Moni Podcast, by Monika Hardy
https://www.momentswithmoni.com
https://twitter.com/Monika_Hardy

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/54-2/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-7035310 Mon, 28 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0500 1368 hope,Christmas, newyear,change 54 full false Replay: Chickening IN with JJ Gutierrez Replay: Chickening IN with JJ Gutierrez Sometimes a single word or phrase has the power to change the course of our lives, and “Chickening IN” is that word for JJ Gutierrez. This little twist on a familiar phrase launched JJ into a transformational journey from fear to faith. Her book, Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, 8 Pillars of Transformation, is a practical guide to defeating fear and doubt. I spoke with JJ in February, but we especially need her message today.

Overcoming fear is a process. One step follows another, with small, sometimes imperceptible forward movement. That first step of faith, saying “God, I’m terrified,” invites Him into the conversation. As He speaks truth, we are able to take those practical steps we need to take.

How many times have you “chickened out”? Chickening IN is an invitation to a lifestyle of courage and faith.

Links

JJ Gutierrez, Courage Challenger and Mentor – chickeningin.com
Get the book (affiliate link): Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, 8 Pillars of Transformation
Find JJ on Instagram and Facebook


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Sometimes a single word or phrase has the power to change the course of our lives, and “Chickening IN” is that word for JJ Gutierrez. This little twist on a familiar phrase launched JJ into a transformational journey from fear to faith. Her book, Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, 8 Pillars of Transformation, is a practical guide to defeating fear and doubt. I spoke with JJ in February, but we especially need her message today.

Overcoming fear is a process. One step follows another, with small, sometimes imperceptible forward movement. That first step of faith, saying “God, I’m terrified,” invites Him into the conversation. As He speaks truth, we are able to take those practical steps we need to take.

How many times have you “chickened out”? Chickening IN is an invitation to a lifestyle of courage and faith.

Links

JJ Gutierrez, Courage Challenger and Mentor – chickeningin.com
Get the book (affiliate link): Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, 8 Pillars of Transformation
Find JJ on Instagram and Facebook


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm / JJ Gutierrez Buzzsprout-6849349 Tue, 15 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0500 2744 faith, fear, anxiety, courage, purpose, books 53 full false Redefining Success in Light of the Assignment Redefining Success in Light of the Assignment How do you define success? Is it financial? Family? Creative or business achievements? Or does it have to do with something else?

Tim Winders is a Performance Coach and author who specializes in helping Executive Teams and Entrepreneurial Leaders maximize their potential by looking beyond traditional “cookie-cutter” methods that often limit the creative process. A lifelong student, he thrives on helping people discover how to live outside of the box and walk out their unique God-given calling. In his own life, he has frequently taken the road less traveled, and found great satisfaction off the beaten path. As host of the SeekGoCreate podcast, Tim goes to the out of the way places to bring you people who redefine success and impact our world in remarkable ways as dreamers, movers, strategists, and connectors.

Tim's SeekGoCreate Podcast
@SeekGoCreate


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> How do you define success? Is it financial? Family? Creative or business achievements? Or does it have to do with something else?

Tim Winders is a Performance Coach and author who specializes in helping Executive Teams and Entrepreneurial Leaders maximize their potential by looking beyond traditional “cookie-cutter” methods that often limit the creative process. A lifelong student, he thrives on helping people discover how to live outside of the box and walk out their unique God-given calling. In his own life, he has frequently taken the road less traveled, and found great satisfaction off the beaten path. As host of the SeekGoCreate podcast, Tim goes to the out of the way places to bring you people who redefine success and impact our world in remarkable ways as dreamers, movers, strategists, and connectors.

Tim's SeekGoCreate Podcast
@SeekGoCreate


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/redefining-success-in-light-of-the-assignment/ Kay Helm / Tim Winders Buzzsprout-6666854 Wed, 02 Dec 2020 22:00:00 -0500 3253 success, business, purpose, ministry, faith 52 full false The Power of Play: A Year of Playing Catch, with Ethan Bryan The Power of Play: A Year of Playing Catch, with Ethan Bryan What happens when you play catch every day for a year?

Ethan Bryan played catch on New Year's Day with his daughters. Then they had an idea. "Dad, what if you played catch every day for an entire year?"

That's 365 days of catch! It's 500 catch partners, 10 states, and 12,000 miles, rain, wind, and snow. It's about play, letting our guard down, and connecting with each other.

Do you have a story about how play connected you to something bigger?
 
Links
A Year of Playing Catch: What a Simple Daily Experiment Taught Me About Life, by Ethan Bryan

ethanbryan.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> What happens when you play catch every day for a year?

Ethan Bryan played catch on New Year's Day with his daughters. Then they had an idea. "Dad, what if you played catch every day for an entire year?"

That's 365 days of catch! It's 500 catch partners, 10 states, and 12,000 miles, rain, wind, and snow. It's about play, letting our guard down, and connecting with each other.

Do you have a story about how play connected you to something bigger?
 
Links
A Year of Playing Catch: What a Simple Daily Experiment Taught Me About Life, by Ethan Bryan

ethanbryan.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm / Ethan Bryan Buzzsprout-6432694 Tue, 17 Nov 2020 23:00:00 -0500 2264 baseball, play, chasing dreams, hope, connection 51 full false Start With These Fundraising Resources Start With These Fundraising Resources Today I’d like to take my 14 years experience managing a nonprofits and offer help for leaders in this area. 

Download the guide at kayhelm.com/npguide.

1) A Spirituality of Fundraising, by Henri J.M. Nouwen

You can read this through in one sitting. It’s only 50-60 pages. And it deals with the most important part of your fundraising–your mind. So many people start because of passion, but then run into a wall because fundraising feels like begging. So we’ve got to change our mindset. This is a book that invites us to examine our hearts, motives, and methods and align these with God’s word. If you come to me for fundraising coaching, Session One homework is to read this book.

2) FREEDOM Fundraising Framework: 7 Steps to Build and Sustain Your Next Campaign, by Mary Valloni

This book outlines Mary’s FREEDOM Fundraising Framework. Raising funds successfully and consistently requires strategy! The Freedom framework gives you that strategy, from clarifying your mission and message to building and deploying your teams and making your difference! I interviewed Mary in episode 42, and Mary has a podcast called Fundraising Freedom.

3) Fully Funded Academy

This resource is specifically for missionaries raising support. Fully Funded Academy is a monthly membership training program that gives you the clarity and confidence to launch, grow, and scale your financial support base. If you need more 1:1 support, I'm a Fully Funded Certified Coach.

4) Cairification, from Claire Axelrad

There are really only two blogs you need to follow. The first one is “Clairification” from Claire Axelrad. This blog is a tremendous source of knowledge on all things fundraising and philanthropy.

5) The Storytelling Nonprofit

The next blog is the Storytelling Nonprofit, from Vanessa Chase Lockshin. I interviewed Vanessa in episode 27. As the   Storytelling Nonprofit, Vanessa’s focus is on recognizing, collecting and telling stories that help donors connect with our cause.

6) GuideStar (now part of Candid)

You need to be sure your organization is listed on GuideStar, and that you keep your listing updated each year. This is the place where foundations and funders will look to verify your information, got make sure you are a legit 501c3. So when you apply for a grant, and when you apply to get listed on other nonprofit sites like TechSoup, they need to find you here.

7) TechSoup

This next one will save you TONS of money on software and tech. Do NOT go to sketchy discount software stores where you could end up with pirated software, or malware. Get the real deal.

8) ECFA

For Christian nonprofit organizations, I want to mention ECFA. Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.  They produce some of the best resources (books, guides, webinars, and more) to guide your organization in areas of good governance and financial accountability. If you are just beginning the process of starting a nonprofit, start here! Use their resources for building a strong board and organizational structure that will serve you well for many years. 

Get the nonprofit fundraising guide, at kayhelm.com/npguide

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Today I’d like to take my 14 years experience managing a nonprofits and offer help for leaders in this area. 

Download the guide at kayhelm.com/npguide.

1) A Spirituality of Fundraising, by Henri J.M. Nouwen

You can read this through in one sitting. It’s only 50-60 pages. And it deals with the most important part of your fundraising–your mind. So many people start because of passion, but then run into a wall because fundraising feels like begging. So we’ve got to change our mindset. This is a book that invites us to examine our hearts, motives, and methods and align these with God’s word. If you come to me for fundraising coaching, Session One homework is to read this book.

2) FREEDOM Fundraising Framework: 7 Steps to Build and Sustain Your Next Campaign, by Mary Valloni

This book outlines Mary’s FREEDOM Fundraising Framework. Raising funds successfully and consistently requires strategy! The Freedom framework gives you that strategy, from clarifying your mission and message to building and deploying your teams and making your difference! I interviewed Mary in episode 42, and Mary has a podcast called Fundraising Freedom.

3) Fully Funded Academy

This resource is specifically for missionaries raising support. Fully Funded Academy is a monthly membership training program that gives you the clarity and confidence to launch, grow, and scale your financial support base. If you need more 1:1 support, I'm a Fully Funded Certified Coach.

4) Cairification, from Claire Axelrad

There are really only two blogs you need to follow. The first one is “Clairification” from Claire Axelrad. This blog is a tremendous source of knowledge on all things fundraising and philanthropy.

5) The Storytelling Nonprofit

The next blog is the Storytelling Nonprofit, from Vanessa Chase Lockshin. I interviewed Vanessa in episode 27. As the   Storytelling Nonprofit, Vanessa’s focus is on recognizing, collecting and telling stories that help donors connect with our cause.

6) GuideStar (now part of Candid)

You need to be sure your organization is listed on GuideStar, and that you keep your listing updated each year. This is the place where foundations and funders will look to verify your information, got make sure you are a legit 501c3. So when you apply for a grant, and when you apply to get listed on other nonprofit sites like TechSoup, they need to find you here.

7) TechSoup

This next one will save you TONS of money on software and tech. Do NOT go to sketchy discount software stores where you could end up with pirated software, or malware. Get the real deal.

8) ECFA

For Christian nonprofit organizations, I want to mention ECFA. Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.  They produce some of the best resources (books, guides, webinars, and more) to guide your organization in areas of good governance and financial accountability. If you are just beginning the process of starting a nonprofit, start here! Use their resources for building a strong board and organizational structure that will serve you well for many years. 

Get the nonprofit fundraising guide, at kayhelm.com/npguide

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/start-with-these-fundraising-resources/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-6242521 Thu, 05 Nov 2020 18:00:00 -0500 1264 nonprofit, fundraising, charity, non-profit, ministry 50 full false Attitude Adjustment: Interview with Brian Dixon Attitude Adjustment: Interview with Brian Dixon Brian J Dixon on making money in ministry, taking care of relationships, and having those difficult but important conversations.


Connect with Brian
Website: https://briandixon.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/brianjdixon/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbrianjdixon

Take the Hope*Writer quiz
More about Hope*Writers: lifeandmission.com/hope

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Brian J Dixon on making money in ministry, taking care of relationships, and having those difficult but important conversations.


Connect with Brian
Website: https://briandixon.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/brianjdixon/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbrianjdixon

Take the Hope*Writer quiz
More about Hope*Writers: lifeandmission.com/hope

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.



Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm / Brian J. Dixon Buzzsprout-5410318 Sat, 12 Sep 2020 16:00:00 -0400 2237 author, coach, writer, mindset, money, relationships 49 full false Write That Book! Interview with Joyce Glass Write That Book! Interview with Joyce Glass Joyce Glass is The Write Coach, helping writers through the process of writing and completing their books.

Key Takeaways

  • There is a process to writing
  • Share your work for accountability
  • Get prayer covering
  • Get in a writing community
  • Writing is a skill you can learn
  • Writing, editing, and research are all different things. Don't try to do them all at once!
  • Break large projects in to smaller parts
  • Get the help you need

Links
Connect with Joyce at TheWriteCoach.biz
Podcast - The Write Hour


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Joyce Glass is The Write Coach, helping writers through the process of writing and completing their books.

Key Takeaways

  • There is a process to writing
  • Share your work for accountability
  • Get prayer covering
  • Get in a writing community
  • Writing is a skill you can learn
  • Writing, editing, and research are all different things. Don't try to do them all at once!
  • Break large projects in to smaller parts
  • Get the help you need

Links
Connect with Joyce at TheWriteCoach.biz
Podcast - The Write Hour


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/48 Kay Helm / Joyce Glass Buzzsprout-5153278 Tue, 25 Aug 2020 22:00:00 -0400 3274 writing, writing coach, creatives 48 full false The Gift of Doubt The Gift of Doubt Doubt can be a gift, because it alerts us when something's amiss. Here's a way to engage doubt without getting burned.

We rarely see doubt as a good thing. It’s been called a dream-killer. Something to overcome or push through. And certainly, doubt can be destructive. But I propose we take another look at the gift of doubt.

Doubt can be hard to define but it plays out in indecision, hesitation, busywork, loss of enthusiasm, etc. When we encounter doubt, the first response is often fear. 

How is doubt a gift?

I say doubt is a gift because it alerts us when something’s amiss. There’s an inconsistency somewhere. Something differs from our understanding. Doubt calls us to examine things more closely. It’s normal and okay to have doubts, especially when we're in unfamiliar territory, or when we’re doing something new.

In the Bible, the disciples didn’t believe the women who came back and reported Jesus was no longer in the grave. It was a new thing. “Doubting” Thomas, gets a bad rep for asking for proof of the resurrected Christ, but Jesus doesn’t rebuke him for it. Instead, he invites Thomas to test and see. He didn’t push Thomas away; Jesus invited Thomas to come closer.

How we respond to doubt is important.

If we fear doubt, we push it away or ignore it. We cover it with platitudes and affirmations. So there’s this big monster doubt over in the corner, and we start moving around it, avoiding it, tip-toeing past so we don’t wake it up. We leave larger and larger chunks of our lives unexplored and dangerous.

If we give it freedom to roam about unchecked, it steals from us. It nags and worries. It criticizes. Like a raging fire, destroying everything in its path.

Like fire, if we set boundaries and engage doubt with respect, it can work for us. It can be a good thing, when properly contained.

Think for a moment about a beef brisket. It’s tough. It comes from an unglamorous part of the cow. But if you apply a slow, gentle fire, that meat turns into something tender that melts in your mouth. It becomes memorable, rich, and flavorful. And what about sugar? It has one flavor. Sweet. Just sweet. Nothing but sweet. It has no aroma, it’s only one-dimensional. But when you apply heat, it browns and caramelizes and it develops over 100 flavor compounds. That process is permanent. Fire (heat) forever changes that food. You cook something, and it never goes back to the way it was.

If doubt is like fire, then it can help us engage our ideas at a deeper level. Look at things from different angles, check our assumptions. And that can lead to innovation, growth, breakthrough, and discovery.

How to engage doubt without getting burned:

Get the right people in the kitchen. Relationships help us see truth. Explore the doubt with people you can trust. Not the people who will tell you they never believed in your dream, anyway. They could’ve told you it would never work. That’s like throwing gasoline on the fire, and somebody will get burned.

But you also don’t want to go to the people who just tell you how great you are and how it’ll all work out. They’ll make you feel better, but it will not be helpful. You won’t get that rich flavor profile because they won’t let the fire burn hot enough. And please, don’t let people in your kitchen who don’t know anything about cooking!

You need people with the knowledge and stamina to stay in a hot kitchen long enough to help you draw all the flavor out of this thing. You might need an expert in your field, or someone with more experience, or you may just need a great coach.

Exploring these things demands honesty and vulnerability. If our perceptions or assumptions turn out to be wrong, then changing them can take courage. 

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Doubt can be a gift, because it alerts us when something's amiss. Here's a way to engage doubt without getting burned.

We rarely see doubt as a good thing. It’s been called a dream-killer. Something to overcome or push through. And certainly, doubt can be destructive. But I propose we take another look at the gift of doubt.

Doubt can be hard to define but it plays out in indecision, hesitation, busywork, loss of enthusiasm, etc. When we encounter doubt, the first response is often fear. 

How is doubt a gift?

I say doubt is a gift because it alerts us when something’s amiss. There’s an inconsistency somewhere. Something differs from our understanding. Doubt calls us to examine things more closely. It’s normal and okay to have doubts, especially when we're in unfamiliar territory, or when we’re doing something new.

In the Bible, the disciples didn’t believe the women who came back and reported Jesus was no longer in the grave. It was a new thing. “Doubting” Thomas, gets a bad rep for asking for proof of the resurrected Christ, but Jesus doesn’t rebuke him for it. Instead, he invites Thomas to test and see. He didn’t push Thomas away; Jesus invited Thomas to come closer.

How we respond to doubt is important.

If we fear doubt, we push it away or ignore it. We cover it with platitudes and affirmations. So there’s this big monster doubt over in the corner, and we start moving around it, avoiding it, tip-toeing past so we don’t wake it up. We leave larger and larger chunks of our lives unexplored and dangerous.

If we give it freedom to roam about unchecked, it steals from us. It nags and worries. It criticizes. Like a raging fire, destroying everything in its path.

Like fire, if we set boundaries and engage doubt with respect, it can work for us. It can be a good thing, when properly contained.

Think for a moment about a beef brisket. It’s tough. It comes from an unglamorous part of the cow. But if you apply a slow, gentle fire, that meat turns into something tender that melts in your mouth. It becomes memorable, rich, and flavorful. And what about sugar? It has one flavor. Sweet. Just sweet. Nothing but sweet. It has no aroma, it’s only one-dimensional. But when you apply heat, it browns and caramelizes and it develops over 100 flavor compounds. That process is permanent. Fire (heat) forever changes that food. You cook something, and it never goes back to the way it was.

If doubt is like fire, then it can help us engage our ideas at a deeper level. Look at things from different angles, check our assumptions. And that can lead to innovation, growth, breakthrough, and discovery.

How to engage doubt without getting burned:

Get the right people in the kitchen. Relationships help us see truth. Explore the doubt with people you can trust. Not the people who will tell you they never believed in your dream, anyway. They could’ve told you it would never work. That’s like throwing gasoline on the fire, and somebody will get burned.

But you also don’t want to go to the people who just tell you how great you are and how it’ll all work out. They’ll make you feel better, but it will not be helpful. You won’t get that rich flavor profile because they won’t let the fire burn hot enough. And please, don’t let people in your kitchen who don’t know anything about cooking!

You need people with the knowledge and stamina to stay in a hot kitchen long enough to help you draw all the flavor out of this thing. You might need an expert in your field, or someone with more experience, or you may just need a great coach.

Exploring these things demands honesty and vulnerability. If our perceptions or assumptions turn out to be wrong, then changing them can take courage. 

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/gift-of-doubt/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-4602968 Fri, 17 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400 1081 doubt, faith, entrepreneur, startup, "imposter syndrome" 47 full false Hope and Coffee with Mike Lane Hope and Coffee with Mike Lane Interview with Mike Lane of Hope Bridges, a nonprofit serving over one-hundred children in northern Thailand with food, clothing, education, and basic health care.

Resources

Hopebridges.org
The most life-changing coffee you’ve ever had.

Join the Life and Mission Community 


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Interview with Mike Lane of Hope Bridges, a nonprofit serving over one-hundred children in northern Thailand with food, clothing, education, and basic health care.

Resources

Hopebridges.org
The most life-changing coffee you’ve ever had.

Join the Life and Mission Community 


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/46/ Kay Helm / Mike Lane Buzzsprout-4373894 Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400 2033 hope, coffee, nonprofit, ministry, children 46 full false Building Empires with Tami Romani Building Empires with Tami Romani If you’ve got a message of any kind, you’ll need to find some level of comfort stepping in front of the camera or speaking into a microphone. Tami Romani is a Brand Voice Strategist and a Business Communication Consultant. She helps business owners and brand representatives feel comfortable when they’re being the voice of their own brand. But she goes beyond tips and techniques, right into the heart of why we do what we do.

Tami shares how she started a successful online group, Building Empty Nest Empires, and how small things make a big impact.

Key Takeaways

  • We're all building empires, of finance, family, faith, fun, and fitness.
  • Small things can have big impact.
  • We can be intentional about building great memories.
  • Different seasons of life look different, and that's okay!
  • Empty nester? You've still got a lot to give!
  • We have to be purposeful about building community.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> If you’ve got a message of any kind, you’ll need to find some level of comfort stepping in front of the camera or speaking into a microphone. Tami Romani is a Brand Voice Strategist and a Business Communication Consultant. She helps business owners and brand representatives feel comfortable when they’re being the voice of their own brand. But she goes beyond tips and techniques, right into the heart of why we do what we do.

Tami shares how she started a successful online group, Building Empty Nest Empires, and how small things make a big impact.

Key Takeaways

  • We're all building empires, of finance, family, faith, fun, and fitness.
  • Small things can have big impact.
  • We can be intentional about building great memories.
  • Different seasons of life look different, and that's okay!
  • Empty nester? You've still got a lot to give!
  • We have to be purposeful about building community.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/building-empires-with-tami-ramoni/ Kay Helm / Tami Romani Buzzsprout-4281275 Mon, 22 Jun 2020 23:00:00 -0400 2118 empty nest, life purpose, legacy, family, faith 45 full false One Woman Can Change the World - Interview with Ronne Rock One Woman Can Change the World - Interview with Ronne Rock Ronne Rock is a storyteller, truth-teller, hope-dealer. Her new book is One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God- Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are.

One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God- Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are  (Amazon link)
onewomancanchangetheworld.com
RonneRock.com
instagram.com/ronnerock/


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Ronne Rock is a storyteller, truth-teller, hope-dealer. Her new book is One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God- Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are.

One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God- Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are  (Amazon link)
onewomancanchangetheworld.com
RonneRock.com
instagram.com/ronnerock/


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/44/ Kay Helm / Ronne Rock Buzzsprout-4197449 Tue, 16 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400 3673 women, purpose, mission, storyteller, hope, womanempowerment, author, writer 44 full false Speaking to Connect with Your Audience - Interview with Aurora Gregory Speaking to Connect with Your Audience - Interview with Aurora Gregory Public speaking is one of the best marketing tools you could ever hope to employ. Aurora Gregory coaches speakers on every aspect of the speaker life. In this interview, she shares tips for virtual speaking opportunities, and more.

Key Takeaways:

  • You can have an audience any time you want.
  • This new season creates opportunities.
  • Public speaking is one of the best marketing tools.
  • There are ways to translate the live experience to a virtual one.
  • Tell stories.
  • Make eye contact.
  • Create a meaningful experience for your audience.

Resources:
auroragregory.com
Get Picked: Tips, Tricks and Tools for Creating An Irresistible Speaker Proposal
by Aurora Gregory & David Pitlik (Amazon Link)

Here's an earlier interview with Aurora, about public speaking and the fears every entrepreneur has to face - https://lifeandmission.com/public-speaking-with-aurora-gregory/


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Public speaking is one of the best marketing tools you could ever hope to employ. Aurora Gregory coaches speakers on every aspect of the speaker life. In this interview, she shares tips for virtual speaking opportunities, and more.

Key Takeaways:

  • You can have an audience any time you want.
  • This new season creates opportunities.
  • Public speaking is one of the best marketing tools.
  • There are ways to translate the live experience to a virtual one.
  • Tell stories.
  • Make eye contact.
  • Create a meaningful experience for your audience.

Resources:
auroragregory.com
Get Picked: Tips, Tricks and Tools for Creating An Irresistible Speaker Proposal
by Aurora Gregory & David Pitlik (Amazon Link)

Here's an earlier interview with Aurora, about public speaking and the fears every entrepreneur has to face - https://lifeandmission.com/public-speaking-with-aurora-gregory/


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/43-2/ Kay Helm / Aurora Gregory Buzzsprout-4112777 Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400 2117 speaker tips, public speaking, virtual summits, events, conference, marketing 43 full false Fundraising Freedom, Interview with Mary Valloni Fundraising Freedom, Interview with Mary Valloni Mary Valloni has helped thousands of individuals and organizations overcome the lack and scarcity mindset to fund and fulfill their missions. Her award-winning book is Fundraising Freedom: 7 Steps to Build & Sustain Your Next Campaign.

Talking about money
While many of us shy away from conversations about money, Mary tackles the money issue straight-on: “Let’s just start dreaming, because there’s no reason why money should ever stop anyone from fulfilling the vision that God has given to them… If money is your biggest problem right now, I’ve got something to tell you. That can be overcome. We can tackle that. That is easy on the scale of what to overcome.”

How does she know the money problem can be overcome? She’s done it. In a recession.

Mary’s enthusiasm and her joy are contagious. We need more people like her. One of the big problems for fundraisers, especially in ministry, is that we do it alone. So, Mary teamed up with Mike Kim, a top personal brand and marketing expert. They created Fully Funded Academy, which helps missionaries get – you guessed it – fully funded.

The process for missionaries or nonprofits of any size is basically the same, and it follows Mary’s seven-step framework laid out in her Fundraising Freedom book.

Our focus in this interview is on mindset, because during a crisis it’s easy to assume people aren’t going to give. But that’s not the case!

“This is not the time to freeze and to slow down. This is absolutely the time to innovate and to  figure out what is what, go back to the foundation of why you created this thing in the first place, and realize that your vision has not changed one bit. We are just going to do this a little bit differently.” - Mary Valloni


What you can do right now
Communicate frequently, because that’s what friends do. Now is the time to check in on our supporters, to see how they’re doing, and to ask for their advice. Share the wins, even the little wins. There is a lot of bad news these days, so your good news will get noticed. “We all need each other. Some people are going to have the finances; some people are going to have the passion, the time commitment to go and do the physical work. But we are all in this together.”

Connect with Mary - maryvalloni.com
Mary's Fundraising Freedom Podcast - http://maryvallonishow.com/
Get the book (Amazon affiliate link)




Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Mary Valloni has helped thousands of individuals and organizations overcome the lack and scarcity mindset to fund and fulfill their missions. Her award-winning book is Fundraising Freedom: 7 Steps to Build & Sustain Your Next Campaign.

Talking about money
While many of us shy away from conversations about money, Mary tackles the money issue straight-on: “Let’s just start dreaming, because there’s no reason why money should ever stop anyone from fulfilling the vision that God has given to them… If money is your biggest problem right now, I’ve got something to tell you. That can be overcome. We can tackle that. That is easy on the scale of what to overcome.”

How does she know the money problem can be overcome? She’s done it. In a recession.

Mary’s enthusiasm and her joy are contagious. We need more people like her. One of the big problems for fundraisers, especially in ministry, is that we do it alone. So, Mary teamed up with Mike Kim, a top personal brand and marketing expert. They created Fully Funded Academy, which helps missionaries get – you guessed it – fully funded.

The process for missionaries or nonprofits of any size is basically the same, and it follows Mary’s seven-step framework laid out in her Fundraising Freedom book.

Our focus in this interview is on mindset, because during a crisis it’s easy to assume people aren’t going to give. But that’s not the case!

“This is not the time to freeze and to slow down. This is absolutely the time to innovate and to  figure out what is what, go back to the foundation of why you created this thing in the first place, and realize that your vision has not changed one bit. We are just going to do this a little bit differently.” - Mary Valloni


What you can do right now
Communicate frequently, because that’s what friends do. Now is the time to check in on our supporters, to see how they’re doing, and to ask for their advice. Share the wins, even the little wins. There is a lot of bad news these days, so your good news will get noticed. “We all need each other. Some people are going to have the finances; some people are going to have the passion, the time commitment to go and do the physical work. But we are all in this together.”

Connect with Mary - maryvalloni.com
Mary's Fundraising Freedom Podcast - http://maryvallonishow.com/
Get the book (Amazon affiliate link)




Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/42/ Kay Helm / Mary Valloni Buzzsprout-3915428 Tue, 26 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400 2711 cause, nonprofit, non-profit, ministry, missions, fundraising, fully funded 42 full false What do Ghostwriters Do? Interview with Nick Pavlidis What do Ghostwriters Do? Interview with Nick Pavlidis Ghostwriter. Sounds mysterious, doesn't it? In today's show, my guest Nick Pavlidis unpacks what a ghostwriter is, what they do, and who can benefit from hiring one.

Nick used to practice law, but he wanted more control over his time, and more time with his family (you can hear more about that in our earlier interview). He became a skilled ghostwriter, and now he’s teaching others the craft and business of ghostwriting.

His mission? Nick says, “I help people help people.”

What is a ghostwriter?

Ghostwriters help create written content, often without a byline. That content might be a series of blog posts or articles, or it might be posts for social media. It could be a book. “Basically we’re creating written content and positioning it to make a connection with a desired reader for a greater purpose,” says Nick.

Why hire a ghostwriter?

  • Saves you time, so you can focus on the things you do best.
  • Publishing consistent high-quality articles, blog posts, and social media posts helps build authority and trust in your industry.
  • Having a book establishes you as someone who is knowledgable, and opens doors for you. This is especially true of you want more speaking engagements.

Writing is part of it, but positioning that content to make a connection is something else. This is a special skill. The ghostwriter does more than take your words and ideas, and rearrange them on the page. The skilled ghostwriter understands how to deliver your content to the reader in an effective way.

A skilled ghostwriter can do this for you:

  • Gathers the information and organizes it in a logical way
  • Creates structure for your story
  • Brings expertise to both the writing and presentation of your message
  • Makes your content easy for Google to index

This skillful organization and positioning helps your audience find you. It strengthens connections and help keep your readers engaged. Ultimately, by hiring a ghostwriter to create quality content, your message can help more people.

The difference between a good book and a great book is not the information. It’s really the presentation.  -Nick Pavlidis


Links

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Ghostwriter. Sounds mysterious, doesn't it? In today's show, my guest Nick Pavlidis unpacks what a ghostwriter is, what they do, and who can benefit from hiring one.

Nick used to practice law, but he wanted more control over his time, and more time with his family (you can hear more about that in our earlier interview). He became a skilled ghostwriter, and now he’s teaching others the craft and business of ghostwriting.

His mission? Nick says, “I help people help people.”

What is a ghostwriter?

Ghostwriters help create written content, often without a byline. That content might be a series of blog posts or articles, or it might be posts for social media. It could be a book. “Basically we’re creating written content and positioning it to make a connection with a desired reader for a greater purpose,” says Nick.

Why hire a ghostwriter?

  • Saves you time, so you can focus on the things you do best.
  • Publishing consistent high-quality articles, blog posts, and social media posts helps build authority and trust in your industry.
  • Having a book establishes you as someone who is knowledgable, and opens doors for you. This is especially true of you want more speaking engagements.

Writing is part of it, but positioning that content to make a connection is something else. This is a special skill. The ghostwriter does more than take your words and ideas, and rearrange them on the page. The skilled ghostwriter understands how to deliver your content to the reader in an effective way.

A skilled ghostwriter can do this for you:

  • Gathers the information and organizes it in a logical way
  • Creates structure for your story
  • Brings expertise to both the writing and presentation of your message
  • Makes your content easy for Google to index

This skillful organization and positioning helps your audience find you. It strengthens connections and help keep your readers engaged. Ultimately, by hiring a ghostwriter to create quality content, your message can help more people.

The difference between a good book and a great book is not the information. It’s really the presentation.  -Nick Pavlidis


Links

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]]> https://lifeandmission.com/41/ Kay Helm / Nick Pavlidis Buzzsprout-3820367 Mon, 18 May 2020 20:00:00 -0400 1795 ghostwriter, content writer, marketing, author, writing 41 full false Life and Business Success with The Small Biz Mama Life and Business Success with The Small Biz Mama Kristin Ingram is a Small Biz Mama. In this interview, she shares how she’s able to run multiple businesses and enjoy family life. Plus, tips for launching your successful online business!

You can connect with Kristin at smallbizmama.com


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kristin Ingram is a Small Biz Mama. In this interview, she shares how she’s able to run multiple businesses and enjoy family life. Plus, tips for launching your successful online business!

You can connect with Kristin at smallbizmama.com


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/40/ Kay Helm, with Kristin Ingram Buzzsprout-3722369 Tue, 12 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400 2337 online business, small business, courses, life work balance, bookkeeping 40 full false God Meets Us When We Suffer - Interview with KJ Ramsey God Meets Us When We Suffer - Interview with KJ Ramsey We are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and my guest is therapist, and author KJ Ramsey. We’re taking about pain and suffering, our bodies and stress, grief, and our communion with Christ.

We tend to think that more effort should produce a blessing. When we suffer, we might question our faith, or we might question whether we have a strong enough prayer life, or wonder if there's more we could do to earn God's favor. 

K.J. says, "I think that for me, finding hope and suffering and finding joy in suffering, being able to be resilient within vast amounts of uncertainty. That has largely come through dwelling in the scripture and seeing what the whole scripture says about what is the story that God is writing in our world and where does my life fall within it." 

What becomes clear is that God chose to enter into our suffering.

Now, as we walk through the uncertainty of our times, in this coronavirus pandemic, we can know we are not alone. Still, we have lost much. Acknowledging that grief and allowing ourselves to grieve the losses is human and healthy. It's not a sign of a small faith, but rather, it's an invitation to draw close to God, who loves us.

"We cannot be unaffected by this grief. And so we have an invitation here to be honest about where we're at, but this is too heavy for us, and that we can set aside our striving and let our souls be where we're actually at...That's where we can experience the grace and rest of a God who loves us, not for what we do, but for existing because we're his children." - K.J. Ramsey

Links:
This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers
kjramsey.com
@kjramseywrites

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> We are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and my guest is therapist, and author KJ Ramsey. We’re taking about pain and suffering, our bodies and stress, grief, and our communion with Christ.

We tend to think that more effort should produce a blessing. When we suffer, we might question our faith, or we might question whether we have a strong enough prayer life, or wonder if there's more we could do to earn God's favor. 

K.J. says, "I think that for me, finding hope and suffering and finding joy in suffering, being able to be resilient within vast amounts of uncertainty. That has largely come through dwelling in the scripture and seeing what the whole scripture says about what is the story that God is writing in our world and where does my life fall within it." 

What becomes clear is that God chose to enter into our suffering.

Now, as we walk through the uncertainty of our times, in this coronavirus pandemic, we can know we are not alone. Still, we have lost much. Acknowledging that grief and allowing ourselves to grieve the losses is human and healthy. It's not a sign of a small faith, but rather, it's an invitation to draw close to God, who loves us.

"We cannot be unaffected by this grief. And so we have an invitation here to be honest about where we're at, but this is too heavy for us, and that we can set aside our striving and let our souls be where we're actually at...That's where we can experience the grace and rest of a God who loves us, not for what we do, but for existing because we're his children." - K.J. Ramsey

Links:
This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers
kjramsey.com
@kjramseywrites

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/39/ Kay Helm with KJ Ramsey Buzzsprout-3363652 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:00:00 -0400 2899 suffering, grief, faith 39 full false Where is God? Where is God? I was struggling. I found myself sitting at a picnic table at the beach, praying a simple, desperate prayer: “Jesus, I need you to come have lunch with me.”

He did show up, just not in the way I expected. If I hadn't been writing it all down, I might have missed it.

Full transcript at lifeandmission.com/38




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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> I was struggling. I found myself sitting at a picnic table at the beach, praying a simple, desperate prayer: “Jesus, I need you to come have lunch with me.”

He did show up, just not in the way I expected. If I hadn't been writing it all down, I might have missed it.

Full transcript at lifeandmission.com/38




Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/38/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-3274699 Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:00:00 -0400 895 faith, struggle, father 38 bonus false Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, with JJ Gutierrez Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, with JJ Gutierrez Sometimes a single word or phrase has the power to change the course of our lives, and “Chickening IN” is that word for JJ Gutierrez. This little twist on a familiar phrase launched JJ into a transformational journey from fear to faith. Her book, Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, 8 Pillars of Transformation, is a practical guide to defeating fear and doubt. I spoke with JJ in February, but her message is especially needed today.

JJ says, "We all have fear. But some of us have a lifestyle of fear."

Chickening IN represents a lifestyle shift. It’s the transformation that takes place when we face our fear and confront it with the truth. In JJ’s case, a simple comment from her daughter was the catalyst for life-changing action. And it gave her a word to share, to help bring this lifestyle change to us. During our conversation, JJ shared her own story of “chickening in”, the eight pillars of transformation, the ways fear lies to us, and examples of how people in the Bible experienced and overcame fear.

Overcoming fear is a process. One step follows another, with small, sometimes imperceptible forward movement. That first step of faith, saying “God, I’m terrified,” invites Him into the conversation. As He speaks truth, we are able to take those practical steps we need to take.

How many times have you “chickened out”? Chickening IN is an invitation to a lifestyle of courage and faith.

Links

JJ Gutierrez, Courage Challenger and Mentor – chickeningin.com
Get the book (affiliate link): Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, 8 Pillars of Transformation
Find JJ on Instagram and Facebook

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Sometimes a single word or phrase has the power to change the course of our lives, and “Chickening IN” is that word for JJ Gutierrez. This little twist on a familiar phrase launched JJ into a transformational journey from fear to faith. Her book, Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, 8 Pillars of Transformation, is a practical guide to defeating fear and doubt. I spoke with JJ in February, but her message is especially needed today.

JJ says, "We all have fear. But some of us have a lifestyle of fear."

Chickening IN represents a lifestyle shift. It’s the transformation that takes place when we face our fear and confront it with the truth. In JJ’s case, a simple comment from her daughter was the catalyst for life-changing action. And it gave her a word to share, to help bring this lifestyle change to us. During our conversation, JJ shared her own story of “chickening in”, the eight pillars of transformation, the ways fear lies to us, and examples of how people in the Bible experienced and overcame fear.

Overcoming fear is a process. One step follows another, with small, sometimes imperceptible forward movement. That first step of faith, saying “God, I’m terrified,” invites Him into the conversation. As He speaks truth, we are able to take those practical steps we need to take.

How many times have you “chickened out”? Chickening IN is an invitation to a lifestyle of courage and faith.

Links

JJ Gutierrez, Courage Challenger and Mentor – chickeningin.com
Get the book (affiliate link): Chickening IN: From Fear to Courageous Faith, 8 Pillars of Transformation
Find JJ on Instagram and Facebook

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/37/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-3183754 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 02:00:00 -0400 2785 anxiety, fear, courage, faith, calling, purpose, overcomer 37 full false How to Share Your Faith Story - with Mackenzie Ryan How to Share Your Faith Story - with Mackenzie Ryan Do you have a story to tell?

You may not think you have a story, or you may think your story is too overwhelming (and it may be, at the moment). Either way, a simple, structured approach along with a safe space and community to share with may be what you need.

Mackenzie Ryan is a national award-winning journalist and founder of Faith Storytellers, a community that is lifting up and sharing the story God is writing in the world through true, first-person stories of faith.

"The goal of first-person storytelling is to help people share in a way that creates emotional space so it can be given almost like a gift. I'm giving you the story and then I'm letting it go and you are picking up that story and receiving it."

To facilitate the storytelling, Mackenzie has developed a storytelling guide (which you can download from the Faith Storytellers website) to give structure to the storytelling process. She created free resources and an online community dedicated to lifting up and sharing the story. She also leads workshops and walks new storytellers through the process of shaping stories, drawing out the divine details, and sharing them with others. 

"Really the goal was just to share what we know to be true about God. If somebody is going through a hardship or struggle, they might not be able to see because God is just so close to them, you know? It's almost like, he's just so close to you, you can't see him. You're in a fog, and he's so close. But once you get some distance and you can look back and like, 'Oh, that's where he was! That's how he was working in my life!' And just think of the impact you could have sharing your story. I mean, that happened five, ten, twenty years ago, with someone who is going through the same thing right now."

Your story may be just what someone needs to hear.

This week's resources:

Read stories and sign up for weekly Faith Storytellers email: www.faithstorytellers.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/faithstorytellers
Download a free faith storytelling guide: https://www.faithstorytellers.com/stories/submit
M Ryan Media, www.mryanmedia.co 

Faith Storytellers provides storytelling resources to churches, life groups and ministries and shares individual stories every Wednesday on Facebook and directly to your inbox. Mackenzie hung up her press badge in 2019 to found M Ryan Media, a content marketing and public relations company that uses values-based storytelling to drive results for businesses, nonprofits and personal brands. She lives in West Des Moines, Iowa, and loves gardening, reading and running. She spends most of her free time with her fiance, Andy, his two boys and their two crazy dogs, Maddie and Jax.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Do you have a story to tell?

You may not think you have a story, or you may think your story is too overwhelming (and it may be, at the moment). Either way, a simple, structured approach along with a safe space and community to share with may be what you need.

Mackenzie Ryan is a national award-winning journalist and founder of Faith Storytellers, a community that is lifting up and sharing the story God is writing in the world through true, first-person stories of faith.

"The goal of first-person storytelling is to help people share in a way that creates emotional space so it can be given almost like a gift. I'm giving you the story and then I'm letting it go and you are picking up that story and receiving it."

To facilitate the storytelling, Mackenzie has developed a storytelling guide (which you can download from the Faith Storytellers website) to give structure to the storytelling process. She created free resources and an online community dedicated to lifting up and sharing the story. She also leads workshops and walks new storytellers through the process of shaping stories, drawing out the divine details, and sharing them with others. 

"Really the goal was just to share what we know to be true about God. If somebody is going through a hardship or struggle, they might not be able to see because God is just so close to them, you know? It's almost like, he's just so close to you, you can't see him. You're in a fog, and he's so close. But once you get some distance and you can look back and like, 'Oh, that's where he was! That's how he was working in my life!' And just think of the impact you could have sharing your story. I mean, that happened five, ten, twenty years ago, with someone who is going through the same thing right now."

Your story may be just what someone needs to hear.

This week's resources:

Read stories and sign up for weekly Faith Storytellers email: www.faithstorytellers.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/faithstorytellers
Download a free faith storytelling guide: https://www.faithstorytellers.com/stories/submit
M Ryan Media, www.mryanmedia.co 

Faith Storytellers provides storytelling resources to churches, life groups and ministries and shares individual stories every Wednesday on Facebook and directly to your inbox. Mackenzie hung up her press badge in 2019 to found M Ryan Media, a content marketing and public relations company that uses values-based storytelling to drive results for businesses, nonprofits and personal brands. She lives in West Des Moines, Iowa, and loves gardening, reading and running. She spends most of her free time with her fiance, Andy, his two boys and their two crazy dogs, Maddie and Jax.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-2901286 Tue, 03 Mar 2020 03:00:00 -0500 1662 faith, storytelling, writing, christianity, christian, sharing stories 36 full false Confident in Who You're Called to Be - Katie Hornor Confident in Who You're Called to Be - Katie Hornor Katie Hornor started her businesses with no savings, no loans, and no debt. She has overcome incredible odds in growing her business. Her latest book is Faith Like Flamingos - The Christian Business Guide to Walking Out Your Faith in Bold Color.

Don't let the big pink birds fool you, Katie is serious about helping us as Christian entrepreneurs to overcome imposter syndrome and take big, bold steps to be who God created us to be.

The seed for Faith Like Flamingos started on a family vacation to see flamingos in the wild, where Katie realized these beautiful creatures were just like us in many ways. 

[00:09:09] Each one of them is unique and different and God has created each of us unique and different too. And when we don't step up and give the message that we've been given to give, someone on the other end is not receiving the help that God created us to give them so that they can fulfill their purpose.

In the book, she takes a different characteristic of the Flamingo in each chapter and draws from biblical principles to make a business application that mirrors that characteristic of the Flamingo. Things like:

  • not hiding who you are 
  • being bold to be who you were created to be regardless of your surroundings
  • not being afraid to live where God puts you
  • standing together with others so we can all succeed

[22:05] When you sit there and say, I can't do that because I'm not like so-and-so. You're forgetting about the unique voice God has given you to call those people and to motivate them into action.

Resources:
Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage of any purchase you make at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Buy the Book: https://amzn.to/2u6EjYa
Faith Like Flamingos Website: http://www.faithlikeflamingos.com/
BloggingSuccessfully.com
Katie’s podcast: https://bloggingsuccessfully.com/podcast
Book Trailer  https://youtu.be/qFK6zzp2igc

Listen to my first interview with Katie (Episode 17)


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Katie Hornor started her businesses with no savings, no loans, and no debt. She has overcome incredible odds in growing her business. Her latest book is Faith Like Flamingos - The Christian Business Guide to Walking Out Your Faith in Bold Color.

Don't let the big pink birds fool you, Katie is serious about helping us as Christian entrepreneurs to overcome imposter syndrome and take big, bold steps to be who God created us to be.

The seed for Faith Like Flamingos started on a family vacation to see flamingos in the wild, where Katie realized these beautiful creatures were just like us in many ways. 

[00:09:09] Each one of them is unique and different and God has created each of us unique and different too. And when we don't step up and give the message that we've been given to give, someone on the other end is not receiving the help that God created us to give them so that they can fulfill their purpose.

In the book, she takes a different characteristic of the Flamingo in each chapter and draws from biblical principles to make a business application that mirrors that characteristic of the Flamingo. Things like:

  • not hiding who you are 
  • being bold to be who you were created to be regardless of your surroundings
  • not being afraid to live where God puts you
  • standing together with others so we can all succeed

[22:05] When you sit there and say, I can't do that because I'm not like so-and-so. You're forgetting about the unique voice God has given you to call those people and to motivate them into action.

Resources:
Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage of any purchase you make at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Buy the Book: https://amzn.to/2u6EjYa
Faith Like Flamingos Website: http://www.faithlikeflamingos.com/
BloggingSuccessfully.com
Katie’s podcast: https://bloggingsuccessfully.com/podcast
Book Trailer  https://youtu.be/qFK6zzp2igc

Listen to my first interview with Katie (Episode 17)


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/35/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-2771719 Mon, 17 Feb 2020 21:00:00 -0500 1679 Christian, faith, business, confidence, imposter syndrome, books 35 full false The Power of Lament The Power of Lament All last month we talked about calling and purpose. But what happens when things don’t go as planned? What happens when you get bad news? When everything falls apart?

The Bible gives us plenty of examples; an incredibly powerful way to deal with suffering, called a lament. Lament is a powerful form of worship. It’s both an expression of grief or anguish, and a cry of hope. 

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?” You know who said that? Jesus, on the cross. He was quoting David, Psalm 22 - which says “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1, NIV) More than one third of the Psalms are laments.  And then of course there’s Job, and an entire book called Lamentations. Habakkuk. And more.

So why am I talking about lament on this podcast? I’m supposed to be encouraging. Find your voice, tell your story, change the world and all that. But the truth is we get stuck sometimes. The voice gets stuck at the back of the throat. There’s no strength to push this dream on anymore. The world is too big to change, and the burdens too heavy to carry. But take heart. 

Lament is a reminder that we're not alone. God hears our cries. He isn't going to change the subject or walk away. Even when He’s silent - He’s still there.

"The time when there is nothing at all in your soul except a cry for help may be just that time when God can't give it: you are like the drowning man who can't be helped because he clutches and grabs. Perhaps your own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear." - C.S. Lewis

"Every lament is a prayer; a statement of faith" and "You might think lament is the opposite of praise. It isn’t. Instead, lament is a path to praise as we are led through our brokenness and disappointment. The space between brokenness and God’s mercy is where this song is sung. Think of lament as the transition between pain and promise. It is the path from heartbreak to hope." - Mark Vroegop

Here is a pattern for lament:

  • Addressing God
  • Review of God’s faithfulness in the past. 
  • Complaint 
  • Confession of sin or of innocence
  • Request 
  • Expression of trust/praise

Lament is not a denial of faith. It is not a sign of weak faith. Rather, it is a way of reaching out  to God. In actually signals we trust God with our deepest questions and our most painful and raw emotions. It is a form of worship.

And when someone near us is suffering, we can come and sit beside them. We can join them in the lament. - Mourn with those who mourn -  It is an act of love.

Recommended:
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop
This Too Shall Last - a new podcast and book by KJ Ramsey

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage of any purchase you make at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> All last month we talked about calling and purpose. But what happens when things don’t go as planned? What happens when you get bad news? When everything falls apart?

The Bible gives us plenty of examples; an incredibly powerful way to deal with suffering, called a lament. Lament is a powerful form of worship. It’s both an expression of grief or anguish, and a cry of hope. 

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?” You know who said that? Jesus, on the cross. He was quoting David, Psalm 22 - which says “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1, NIV) More than one third of the Psalms are laments.  And then of course there’s Job, and an entire book called Lamentations. Habakkuk. And more.

So why am I talking about lament on this podcast? I’m supposed to be encouraging. Find your voice, tell your story, change the world and all that. But the truth is we get stuck sometimes. The voice gets stuck at the back of the throat. There’s no strength to push this dream on anymore. The world is too big to change, and the burdens too heavy to carry. But take heart. 

Lament is a reminder that we're not alone. God hears our cries. He isn't going to change the subject or walk away. Even when He’s silent - He’s still there.

"The time when there is nothing at all in your soul except a cry for help may be just that time when God can't give it: you are like the drowning man who can't be helped because he clutches and grabs. Perhaps your own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear." - C.S. Lewis

"Every lament is a prayer; a statement of faith" and "You might think lament is the opposite of praise. It isn’t. Instead, lament is a path to praise as we are led through our brokenness and disappointment. The space between brokenness and God’s mercy is where this song is sung. Think of lament as the transition between pain and promise. It is the path from heartbreak to hope." - Mark Vroegop

Here is a pattern for lament:

  • Addressing God
  • Review of God’s faithfulness in the past. 
  • Complaint 
  • Confession of sin or of innocence
  • Request 
  • Expression of trust/praise

Lament is not a denial of faith. It is not a sign of weak faith. Rather, it is a way of reaching out  to God. In actually signals we trust God with our deepest questions and our most painful and raw emotions. It is a form of worship.

And when someone near us is suffering, we can come and sit beside them. We can join them in the lament. - Mourn with those who mourn -  It is an act of love.

Recommended:
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop
This Too Shall Last - a new podcast and book by KJ Ramsey

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage of any purchase you make at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-2666875 Wed, 05 Feb 2020 14:00:00 -0500 507 grief, depression, pain, Christianity 34 full false Audience of One Audience of One This week we're talking about living for an audience of one, in part two of my look at The Call by Os Guinness (see Ep. 31: What Does it Mean to be Called? for part one). Guinness writes, “A life lived listening to the decisive call of God is a life lived before one audience that trumps all others—the Audience of One.”

Have you ever been in a conversation and added a comment that seemed innocent at the time, but later you felt convicted about it? And what about defending ourselves? Especially when we feel we've been unjustly accused or insulted. Right or wrong, the flavor and intensity of my response may indicate my focus has shifted away from the Caller.

One danger in today’s world is that we are so connected and easily distracted. And at the same time we are more anonymous than ever. No longer tied to each other in physical community, our personal relationships are often based on what we choose to show to others, not what they see of us in real time, in real life. This can be a great temptation, as we can do or see whatever we want because we can’t be seen or held accountable. The message today seems we can do whatever we want.

Guinness addresses the distortions and dangers of calling. The reverse side of calling, he says, is conceit. Truth can be distorted, and the most effective lie begins with a sliver of truth.

“The closeness between calling and conceit is easy to see. After all, to be called is to hear God whisper three things to you in a hundred intimate ways—“You are chosen; you are gifted; you are special.” Let those three things sink in for longer than the first precious moments and you will inevitably hear another voice, honeyed and smooth: “Yes, you really are chosen . . . gifted . . . special.” - Os Guinness

If we let that second, subversive whisper take hold, we elevate and deceive ourselves. Above others, and even above God, the very One who calls us. This conceit isn’t limited to individuals. Groups and even nations can follow this distorted, malicious whisper. It is the very nobility of calling, Guinness says that makes us vulnerable to pride. Guinness writes, “Temptation tempts most temptingly when it is a shortcut to realizing the very highest at which we aim. So the twisting of our highest aspirations will be twice as evil as the twisting of our lowest.”

We are vulnerable to pride even as we claim the audience of one. Why? Because the audience of one is not God, but ourselves! It is possible to think so highly of ourselves that we look down on others so that we do not care what they think. If the Audience of One is us, we’re in a dangerous place.

What is the remedy for pride? It is grace. When we understand, through grace – that we are called only because of God’s grace. It is not something we’ve earned or purchased for ourselves. We are unable to call ourselves. God does it, It is by his grace alone.

Action steps:

  1. Read Matthew 6:1-4. Why does Jesus require that our good deeds be done in secret? 
  2. Let's take time each day to offer our calling back to God. If we allow Him time and space to examine our heart’s motives, we’ll be less vulnerable to the subtle changes that lead us off course. 

The Call, by Os Guinness
Genesis 39 (Joseph and Potiphar's wife)
Episode 31: What Does it Mean to Be Called?

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> This week we're talking about living for an audience of one, in part two of my look at The Call by Os Guinness (see Ep. 31: What Does it Mean to be Called? for part one). Guinness writes, “A life lived listening to the decisive call of God is a life lived before one audience that trumps all others—the Audience of One.”

Have you ever been in a conversation and added a comment that seemed innocent at the time, but later you felt convicted about it? And what about defending ourselves? Especially when we feel we've been unjustly accused or insulted. Right or wrong, the flavor and intensity of my response may indicate my focus has shifted away from the Caller.

One danger in today’s world is that we are so connected and easily distracted. And at the same time we are more anonymous than ever. No longer tied to each other in physical community, our personal relationships are often based on what we choose to show to others, not what they see of us in real time, in real life. This can be a great temptation, as we can do or see whatever we want because we can’t be seen or held accountable. The message today seems we can do whatever we want.

Guinness addresses the distortions and dangers of calling. The reverse side of calling, he says, is conceit. Truth can be distorted, and the most effective lie begins with a sliver of truth.

“The closeness between calling and conceit is easy to see. After all, to be called is to hear God whisper three things to you in a hundred intimate ways—“You are chosen; you are gifted; you are special.” Let those three things sink in for longer than the first precious moments and you will inevitably hear another voice, honeyed and smooth: “Yes, you really are chosen . . . gifted . . . special.” - Os Guinness

If we let that second, subversive whisper take hold, we elevate and deceive ourselves. Above others, and even above God, the very One who calls us. This conceit isn’t limited to individuals. Groups and even nations can follow this distorted, malicious whisper. It is the very nobility of calling, Guinness says that makes us vulnerable to pride. Guinness writes, “Temptation tempts most temptingly when it is a shortcut to realizing the very highest at which we aim. So the twisting of our highest aspirations will be twice as evil as the twisting of our lowest.”

We are vulnerable to pride even as we claim the audience of one. Why? Because the audience of one is not God, but ourselves! It is possible to think so highly of ourselves that we look down on others so that we do not care what they think. If the Audience of One is us, we’re in a dangerous place.

What is the remedy for pride? It is grace. When we understand, through grace – that we are called only because of God’s grace. It is not something we’ve earned or purchased for ourselves. We are unable to call ourselves. God does it, It is by his grace alone.

Action steps:

  1. Read Matthew 6:1-4. Why does Jesus require that our good deeds be done in secret? 
  2. Let's take time each day to offer our calling back to God. If we allow Him time and space to examine our heart’s motives, we’ll be less vulnerable to the subtle changes that lead us off course. 

The Call, by Os Guinness
Genesis 39 (Joseph and Potiphar's wife)
Episode 31: What Does it Mean to Be Called?

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-2548504 Tue, 21 Jan 2020 19:00:00 -0500 535 calling, purpose, mission, Christian 33 full false Thrive Without Striving - Interview with Matt Ham Thrive Without Striving - Interview with Matt Ham Matt Ham left a 10 year career in insurance sales to start YouPrint, a faith and personal development organization, and its nonprofit initiative called the Life Center. In this interview, Matt offers perspective on how we can thrive without striving. 

[Matt 00:00:58] "Unfortunately we place our own understanding and expectations on how things should work out and it never works out that way. One of the greatest mistakes that we make is limiting God by our own understanding."

YouPrint is positioned as executive coaching, mentoring, community, and discipleship between Sundays. The philanthropic side of The Life Center is about removing obstacles, with the message "God loves you and he cares about you and he desires genuine relationship with you. And He created you for such a time as this. And we're here to walk with you."

"The Life Center is actually going to be a campus style facility where it will literally be a launch pad for entrepreneurial kingdom minded endeavors. It's a vision from the Lord that we are faithfully following out."

The Desires of Your Heart
God gives to you from His Spirit, and your heart is where those desires dwell. "It's like seeds of his genius that he planted in your heart. And you feel them or perceive them through your desires...He says, I will give you the desires of your heart in exchange for your will. You give me your will. And I will give you the desires of your heart. That's it. That's the offer. That's the offer of faith. Delight yourself in the Lord. What does that mean? That means surrender your will. Yield to him. Trust in him. Abide in him. You know, it's all throughout scripture. Who did this the best? Jesus."

"What are you busy with doing in your life? Are you busy with protecting and building your own reputation, or are you more concerned and busy with living underneath the reputation of God and his provision and his literal desires to give you the desires of your heart so that you can change the world for his glory? That's why we do what we do."

Investing in People
"People are the best investment that you can make. Period. Investing in people is the best investment that you can make." Just as Jesus encountered each person in a different way, so must we. What are the gifts God has placed inside that person? Can we see the potential and not just the circumstance?

Being the Church
"The church is the body of believers. That is not confined to Sundays. It's not confined to buildings." That includes entrepreneurism. God has called people into business and into all kinds of roles in society. "We need a people who are infused into those cultures and become literally evangelists in those pockets...God will clarify the call as you yield and surrender to him...The process of discipleship is to get people to that place because that is the most effective way to spread the kingdom."

But How?
Matt says we come to that place of knowing who we really are, and fulfilling our purpose starts with a posture of rest. "It starts with stillness. We're not very good at that. 'Come to me, all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.' The offer of Jesus first is rest."

Get to a place of rest and stillness.
Magnify and elevate the glory of God. Learn to praise Him.
Take a posture of thankfulness.
Then be quiet and meditate and listen back to what he's saying. You hear that and see that through his word, the Bible.

"The life that God has created you to live is literally waiting on the other side of your capacity to be ready, be at rest, yield and surrender your will and listen to where the spirit leads and follow that. And that is what is anointed and blessed."

Connect with Matt: YouPrint.life

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Matt Ham left a 10 year career in insurance sales to start YouPrint, a faith and personal development organization, and its nonprofit initiative called the Life Center. In this interview, Matt offers perspective on how we can thrive without striving. 

[Matt 00:00:58] "Unfortunately we place our own understanding and expectations on how things should work out and it never works out that way. One of the greatest mistakes that we make is limiting God by our own understanding."

YouPrint is positioned as executive coaching, mentoring, community, and discipleship between Sundays. The philanthropic side of The Life Center is about removing obstacles, with the message "God loves you and he cares about you and he desires genuine relationship with you. And He created you for such a time as this. And we're here to walk with you."

"The Life Center is actually going to be a campus style facility where it will literally be a launch pad for entrepreneurial kingdom minded endeavors. It's a vision from the Lord that we are faithfully following out."

The Desires of Your Heart
God gives to you from His Spirit, and your heart is where those desires dwell. "It's like seeds of his genius that he planted in your heart. And you feel them or perceive them through your desires...He says, I will give you the desires of your heart in exchange for your will. You give me your will. And I will give you the desires of your heart. That's it. That's the offer. That's the offer of faith. Delight yourself in the Lord. What does that mean? That means surrender your will. Yield to him. Trust in him. Abide in him. You know, it's all throughout scripture. Who did this the best? Jesus."

"What are you busy with doing in your life? Are you busy with protecting and building your own reputation, or are you more concerned and busy with living underneath the reputation of God and his provision and his literal desires to give you the desires of your heart so that you can change the world for his glory? That's why we do what we do."

Investing in People
"People are the best investment that you can make. Period. Investing in people is the best investment that you can make." Just as Jesus encountered each person in a different way, so must we. What are the gifts God has placed inside that person? Can we see the potential and not just the circumstance?

Being the Church
"The church is the body of believers. That is not confined to Sundays. It's not confined to buildings." That includes entrepreneurism. God has called people into business and into all kinds of roles in society. "We need a people who are infused into those cultures and become literally evangelists in those pockets...God will clarify the call as you yield and surrender to him...The process of discipleship is to get people to that place because that is the most effective way to spread the kingdom."

But How?
Matt says we come to that place of knowing who we really are, and fulfilling our purpose starts with a posture of rest. "It starts with stillness. We're not very good at that. 'Come to me, all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.' The offer of Jesus first is rest."

Get to a place of rest and stillness.
Magnify and elevate the glory of God. Learn to praise Him.
Take a posture of thankfulness.
Then be quiet and meditate and listen back to what he's saying. You hear that and see that through his word, the Bible.

"The life that God has created you to live is literally waiting on the other side of your capacity to be ready, be at rest, yield and surrender your will and listen to where the spirit leads and follow that. And that is what is anointed and blessed."

Connect with Matt: YouPrint.life

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/thrive-without-striving/ Matt Ham Buzzsprout-2487695 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 02:00:00 -0500 2411 calling, faith, purpose, entrepreneur, discipleship 32 full false What Does it Mean to be Called? What Does it Mean to be Called? While many other books will give you tactics and tools to discover your calling, or to focus your vision, I want to start with The Call, by Os Guinness, because it gives us a solid foundation. 

What is Calling?
A quick trip to the dictionary offers these definitions:

  1. the act of a person or thing that calls.
  2. a call or summons
  3. a strong impulse or inclination
  4. a convocation (like a meeting)

The origin of our word for the vocal meaning of “calling” has its origins in the Old English “hildecalla” which means “battle cry.”  Calling also shares roots with the Latin word for “glory” - ”gloria” - and this is associated with the vocational meaning of calling. 

The idea of calling and vocation is important to us because it affects our personal identity, humanness, and significance. 

The main idea for The Call is that there is no calling without a Caller. As Guinness says, “If there is no Caller, there are no callings—only work.”

Here is how the Guinness defines Calling: 

“Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service.”

We are called by someone, to someone, and for someone. And that someone. The One who calls us is Christ. This is our primary calling. That which we see as a vocational or occupational calling - those things we do in response to the primary call, are the secondary callings.

Distortions of Calling

Guinness points out two distortions of calling, the “Catholic Distortion” which elevates the spiritual over the secular. Then there is the “Protestant distortion” which elevates secular over spiritual so that work becomes the thing we serve. 

Then there is the term “vocational calling” which - remember our definitions - means “calling calling.” So what we mean by “vocational calling” is actually “occupation” or work, and before we know it we’ve separated that area of our lives from our primary calling.

Four Key Distinctions

The key to overcoming these distortions of calling, according to Guinness, is to balance giftedness with stewardship. How do we do that? He offers four areas where we must carefully watch the way in which we view calling:

  1. the distinction between individual or particular calling and general or corporate calling 
  2. the distinction between a special calling and original or ordinary calling 
  3. the distinction between something being central to our calling and something being peripheral
  4. the distinction between the clarity of calling and the mystery of calling

Invitation
Set aside some time over the next few days to sit alone and present yourself and your gifts, your talents and your tendencies to God. 

There’s a song that says “Here’s my heart, Lord--speak what is true.” It makes a wonderful prayer.

Somewhere in that quiet place and in that surrender, may the God who created you speak truth about who you are and who He created you to be. 


Let’s hear from you
What are some books you’ve read about calling and purpose? What stuck with you or helped you--and why? Record a short voice memo one minute or less-and let us know. email the audio to connect@lifeandmission.com - we might play it on a future episode. Or, you can write your answer in a simple email message.  Either way, I’d love to hear your recommendations.

LifeandMission.com

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> While many other books will give you tactics and tools to discover your calling, or to focus your vision, I want to start with The Call, by Os Guinness, because it gives us a solid foundation. 

What is Calling?
A quick trip to the dictionary offers these definitions:

  1. the act of a person or thing that calls.
  2. a call or summons
  3. a strong impulse or inclination
  4. a convocation (like a meeting)

The origin of our word for the vocal meaning of “calling” has its origins in the Old English “hildecalla” which means “battle cry.”  Calling also shares roots with the Latin word for “glory” - ”gloria” - and this is associated with the vocational meaning of calling. 

The idea of calling and vocation is important to us because it affects our personal identity, humanness, and significance. 

The main idea for The Call is that there is no calling without a Caller. As Guinness says, “If there is no Caller, there are no callings—only work.”

Here is how the Guinness defines Calling: 

“Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service.”

We are called by someone, to someone, and for someone. And that someone. The One who calls us is Christ. This is our primary calling. That which we see as a vocational or occupational calling - those things we do in response to the primary call, are the secondary callings.

Distortions of Calling

Guinness points out two distortions of calling, the “Catholic Distortion” which elevates the spiritual over the secular. Then there is the “Protestant distortion” which elevates secular over spiritual so that work becomes the thing we serve. 

Then there is the term “vocational calling” which - remember our definitions - means “calling calling.” So what we mean by “vocational calling” is actually “occupation” or work, and before we know it we’ve separated that area of our lives from our primary calling.

Four Key Distinctions

The key to overcoming these distortions of calling, according to Guinness, is to balance giftedness with stewardship. How do we do that? He offers four areas where we must carefully watch the way in which we view calling:

  1. the distinction between individual or particular calling and general or corporate calling 
  2. the distinction between a special calling and original or ordinary calling 
  3. the distinction between something being central to our calling and something being peripheral
  4. the distinction between the clarity of calling and the mystery of calling

Invitation
Set aside some time over the next few days to sit alone and present yourself and your gifts, your talents and your tendencies to God. 

There’s a song that says “Here’s my heart, Lord--speak what is true.” It makes a wonderful prayer.

Somewhere in that quiet place and in that surrender, may the God who created you speak truth about who you are and who He created you to be. 


Let’s hear from you
What are some books you’ve read about calling and purpose? What stuck with you or helped you--and why? Record a short voice memo one minute or less-and let us know. email the audio to connect@lifeandmission.com - we might play it on a future episode. Or, you can write your answer in a simple email message.  Either way, I’d love to hear your recommendations.

LifeandMission.com

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-called/ Kay Helm Buzzsprout-2437016 Wed, 08 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500 950 calling, mission, purpose, life purpose, significance, identity 31 full false Changing Names and What's Next Changing Names and What's Next The Your Voice Podcast is changing into the Life and Mission Podcast. 

The overall mission of the show remains the same, only more focused and purposeful in how we help you to find your voice, tell your story, and change the world. 

Head over to Lifeandmission.com and sign up for email updates. You'll get show notes, links to resources mentioned on the show, and additional content we don’t put on the pod. Totally free. Straight to your inbox once or twice a month.

You can expect a new show every other week, with a mixed format of interviews and solo programs. Topics include calling and purpose, and living life in pursuit of a greater purpose.

Along the way, we'll help you get focused on what truly matters, give you tips and tools to overcome challenges and get un-stuck, and show you ways to get your message out into the world. 

Thank you so much for being here! If you know somebody who could benefit from this program, let ‘em know about it! This is the year to get focused, get moving, and make a difference!


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> The Your Voice Podcast is changing into the Life and Mission Podcast. 

The overall mission of the show remains the same, only more focused and purposeful in how we help you to find your voice, tell your story, and change the world. 

Head over to Lifeandmission.com and sign up for email updates. You'll get show notes, links to resources mentioned on the show, and additional content we don’t put on the pod. Totally free. Straight to your inbox once or twice a month.

You can expect a new show every other week, with a mixed format of interviews and solo programs. Topics include calling and purpose, and living life in pursuit of a greater purpose.

Along the way, we'll help you get focused on what truly matters, give you tips and tools to overcome challenges and get un-stuck, and show you ways to get your message out into the world. 

Thank you so much for being here! If you know somebody who could benefit from this program, let ‘em know about it! This is the year to get focused, get moving, and make a difference!


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm Buzzsprout-2404501 Fri, 03 Jan 2020 19:00:00 -0500 257 purpose, mission, calling 30 trailer false Brian Mays on Creativity Brian Mays on Creativity UPDATE: At the time of this recording, the show was called The Your Voice Podcast. Since this recording, Kay has has rebranded to Life and Mission.

Brian Mays is a dad, husband, graphic designer, artist and teacher. In this interview, he shares his experience as a graphic designer and teacher of creativity.
[00:01:31] As a graphic designer for a church, Brian says, "We offer a handshake to the world and we make sure that handshake's as good as it can be."
[00:37:30] Being a creative professional as a discipline: "When you're living it eight hours a day five days a week, there are times where the ideas just don't come and you've still got to perform, and that's not fun."


[00:40:39] I asked Brian if creativity is something people are born with, or of it's learned.[00:40:58] Creativity in different areas of life, and Brian's biggest frustration.

What's a good critiquing process?
[00:43:03] "I've seen tears in classrooms from from when people get critiqued and it's very, very difficult for - especially younger ones that are just getting their first exposure to this in some kind of creative teaching in school. They may have never had their ideas critiqued before."

[00:48:43] The creative process isn't exactly what people imagine it to be, especially when you're creating advertising. Brian shares how that can pose a problem.[00:49:38] Do limitations make people more creative?[00:52:04] Brian reveals his plan for some upcoming projects.

How to nurture and grow creativity
[00:58:37] Here's what Brian tells someone who wants to grow and develop their creative side:

  1. Keep making stuff. Do it because you enjoy it. 
  2. Tell people about it. 
  3. Get constructive feedback to help you improve your skills. You'll need to develop a really thick skin: "You don't want to not care what you have but let it not penetrate into your soul." 
  4. Take risks.[01:00:30] What's next? More portraits (he's good, y'all).[01:01:05] Advice to young creatives - you don't have to do everything that comes your way.

Links
BrianMays.com 

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> UPDATE: At the time of this recording, the show was called The Your Voice Podcast. Since this recording, Kay has has rebranded to Life and Mission.

Brian Mays is a dad, husband, graphic designer, artist and teacher. In this interview, he shares his experience as a graphic designer and teacher of creativity.
[00:01:31] As a graphic designer for a church, Brian says, "We offer a handshake to the world and we make sure that handshake's as good as it can be."
[00:37:30] Being a creative professional as a discipline: "When you're living it eight hours a day five days a week, there are times where the ideas just don't come and you've still got to perform, and that's not fun."


[00:40:39] I asked Brian if creativity is something people are born with, or of it's learned.[00:40:58] Creativity in different areas of life, and Brian's biggest frustration.

What's a good critiquing process?
[00:43:03] "I've seen tears in classrooms from from when people get critiqued and it's very, very difficult for - especially younger ones that are just getting their first exposure to this in some kind of creative teaching in school. They may have never had their ideas critiqued before."

[00:48:43] The creative process isn't exactly what people imagine it to be, especially when you're creating advertising. Brian shares how that can pose a problem.[00:49:38] Do limitations make people more creative?[00:52:04] Brian reveals his plan for some upcoming projects.

How to nurture and grow creativity
[00:58:37] Here's what Brian tells someone who wants to grow and develop their creative side:

  1. Keep making stuff. Do it because you enjoy it. 
  2. Tell people about it. 
  3. Get constructive feedback to help you improve your skills. You'll need to develop a really thick skin: "You don't want to not care what you have but let it not penetrate into your soul." 
  4. Take risks.[01:00:30] What's next? More portraits (he's good, y'all).[01:01:05] Advice to young creatives - you don't have to do everything that comes your way.

Links
BrianMays.com 

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-21537 Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0400 2470 creativity, art, community 29 full false Ethical Storytelling: Rachel Goble and Heidi Burkey Ethical Storytelling: Rachel Goble and Heidi Burkey UPDATE: At the time of this recording, the show was called The Your Voice Podcast. Since this recording, Kay has has rebranded to Life and Mission.

Rachel Goble is the CEO at The Freedom Story, and Heidi Burkey is a documentarian and director. We're talking about the Ethical Storytelling community and what it means to tell stories ethically.

[00:01:04] How the Ethical Storytelling community began.
[00:05:50] Heidi began to ask, "What is the human experience in this person's story that someone on the other side of the world can understand?"

[00:08:04] It's not only about making the person feel at ease, but also about explaining how the story will be used. This can include explaining what "online" means. The person to whom the story belongs should always have a voice in the process. We talked about how that process works and what it means.
[00:13:48] Rachel: "The goal is not to create pity stories that involve donors, but the goal is to create stories that show our youth or constituents how strong they are."[00:14:09] Constituent first, donors second stories
[00:16:31] The Ethical Storytelling framework and pledge
[00:20:10] There are several powerful words we hear a lot in non-profit storytelling. I asked Rachel and Heidi for their thoughts on a few of these.
[00:28:15] Heidi "The only stories we own are our own."
[00:29:43] Rachel: "We've geared most of our content towards nonprofit practitioners and storytellers. And the more that I'm having these conversations, the more I'm seeing a desire from donors and foundations to really understand how they too can participate in supporting organizations to these higher ethical standards of storytelling. Through the questions that they ask, or how they consume the media that might be given to them. And so we're starting to develop a webinar and podcast series and some training material for donors, which I'm really excited about, and it'll be kind of a new realm for us to enter into."

Links

Ethical Storytelling@ethicalstorytelling
Be sure to visit the web site for the latest webinar! And check out the Ethical Storytelling podcast for more!

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> UPDATE: At the time of this recording, the show was called The Your Voice Podcast. Since this recording, Kay has has rebranded to Life and Mission.

Rachel Goble is the CEO at The Freedom Story, and Heidi Burkey is a documentarian and director. We're talking about the Ethical Storytelling community and what it means to tell stories ethically.

[00:01:04] How the Ethical Storytelling community began.
[00:05:50] Heidi began to ask, "What is the human experience in this person's story that someone on the other side of the world can understand?"

[00:08:04] It's not only about making the person feel at ease, but also about explaining how the story will be used. This can include explaining what "online" means. The person to whom the story belongs should always have a voice in the process. We talked about how that process works and what it means.
[00:13:48] Rachel: "The goal is not to create pity stories that involve donors, but the goal is to create stories that show our youth or constituents how strong they are."[00:14:09] Constituent first, donors second stories
[00:16:31] The Ethical Storytelling framework and pledge
[00:20:10] There are several powerful words we hear a lot in non-profit storytelling. I asked Rachel and Heidi for their thoughts on a few of these.
[00:28:15] Heidi "The only stories we own are our own."
[00:29:43] Rachel: "We've geared most of our content towards nonprofit practitioners and storytellers. And the more that I'm having these conversations, the more I'm seeing a desire from donors and foundations to really understand how they too can participate in supporting organizations to these higher ethical standards of storytelling. Through the questions that they ask, or how they consume the media that might be given to them. And so we're starting to develop a webinar and podcast series and some training material for donors, which I'm really excited about, and it'll be kind of a new realm for us to enter into."

Links

Ethical Storytelling@ethicalstorytelling
Be sure to visit the web site for the latest webinar! And check out the Ethical Storytelling podcast for more!

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/028-2/ Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-18865 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0400 1978 nonprofit, charity, doing good, fundraising, storytelling, philanthropy, giving, ethics 28 full false The Storytelling Nonprofit - Vanessa Chase Lockshin The Storytelling Nonprofit - Vanessa Chase Lockshin UPDATE: At the time of this recording, the show was called The Your Voice Podcast. Since this recording, Kay has has rebranded to Life and Mission.

This week, my guest is Vanessa Chase Lockshin of the Storytelling Nonprofit. She’s an international non-profit consultant, speaker, and author of The Storytelling Non-Profit: A practical guide to telling stories that raise money and awareness (affiliate link).

[00:01:38] Vanessa says she always wanted to be a writer, and she's been journalling since she was seven years old. "I have a passion for personal narrative and this idea that being able to give voice to story is a way that we can process things in our life, in a way that we can heal things in our life. And there's that element that's really powerful and really interesting to me."Working in the non-profit world, she wanted to tell stories that could connect donors to what was going on in the organization. There weren't a lot of resources available. The things she was doing seemed to work, so she started to share those things with others.

[00:03:11] "I wanted there to be more equity and accessibility and in what I shared. And I think that still drives a lot of what I do to a large extent. So I think it's a combination of both of those things are both very powerful for me in terms of drivers of that passion and that focus that I have around storytelling."

The Purpose of Storytelling

[00:05:18] Storytelling is a powerful tool for building culture in an organization. "I think it just allows for that greater flow of information throughout the organization."

[00:08:57] We talked about asking good questions, and how to approach an interview. "I always tell folks that it's much better to incrementally ask questions to understand the story rather than asking them one sweeping question in the hopes of getting all the information you want."
[00:10:45] In non-profit storytelling, there are several factors to consider as you tell a story. The organization is telling someone's story, and that person is often in a vulnerable position. "I often wondered, if our clients read these stories would they be happy with the way we portrayed them? Is this how they would tell their story? And does that overlap with what we know to be true about successful principles in fundraising?"

[00:14:58] Storytelling can be an important part of healing. Vanessa shared how she saw this at work in a rape crisis center, she says, "it's just incredibly powerful and I think speaks to the breadth and depth of what storytelling can offer to people."
[00:17:22] We spoke more about interviews: "I try to think about them more as like a conversation, and I try to show up to that situation thinking about the conversation. I'm there to engage with someone. I'm there to have a conversation; to be a really deep and empathetic listener and to just be present for what's happening. I think those are those are really important to me."

Storytelling on Social Media

[00:20:18] With so many tools and channels available now, non-profits have to think strategically about how and where they use stories. It can be easy to get distracted or to spend energy chasing everything that's out there. Vanessa's key piece advice is to have a strategy. "It hopefully will ensure you're not spending a lot of time on things that are not supporting the goals that you have."
[00:28:40] "I always come back to data. That's alwa

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> UPDATE: At the time of this recording, the show was called The Your Voice Podcast. Since this recording, Kay has has rebranded to Life and Mission.

This week, my guest is Vanessa Chase Lockshin of the Storytelling Nonprofit. She’s an international non-profit consultant, speaker, and author of The Storytelling Non-Profit: A practical guide to telling stories that raise money and awareness (affiliate link).

[00:01:38] Vanessa says she always wanted to be a writer, and she's been journalling since she was seven years old. "I have a passion for personal narrative and this idea that being able to give voice to story is a way that we can process things in our life, in a way that we can heal things in our life. And there's that element that's really powerful and really interesting to me."Working in the non-profit world, she wanted to tell stories that could connect donors to what was going on in the organization. There weren't a lot of resources available. The things she was doing seemed to work, so she started to share those things with others.

[00:03:11] "I wanted there to be more equity and accessibility and in what I shared. And I think that still drives a lot of what I do to a large extent. So I think it's a combination of both of those things are both very powerful for me in terms of drivers of that passion and that focus that I have around storytelling."

The Purpose of Storytelling

[00:05:18] Storytelling is a powerful tool for building culture in an organization. "I think it just allows for that greater flow of information throughout the organization."

[00:08:57] We talked about asking good questions, and how to approach an interview. "I always tell folks that it's much better to incrementally ask questions to understand the story rather than asking them one sweeping question in the hopes of getting all the information you want."
[00:10:45] In non-profit storytelling, there are several factors to consider as you tell a story. The organization is telling someone's story, and that person is often in a vulnerable position. "I often wondered, if our clients read these stories would they be happy with the way we portrayed them? Is this how they would tell their story? And does that overlap with what we know to be true about successful principles in fundraising?"

[00:14:58] Storytelling can be an important part of healing. Vanessa shared how she saw this at work in a rape crisis center, she says, "it's just incredibly powerful and I think speaks to the breadth and depth of what storytelling can offer to people."
[00:17:22] We spoke more about interviews: "I try to think about them more as like a conversation, and I try to show up to that situation thinking about the conversation. I'm there to engage with someone. I'm there to have a conversation; to be a really deep and empathetic listener and to just be present for what's happening. I think those are those are really important to me."

Storytelling on Social Media

[00:20:18] With so many tools and channels available now, non-profits have to think strategically about how and where they use stories. It can be easy to get distracted or to spend energy chasing everything that's out there. Vanessa's key piece advice is to have a strategy. "It hopefully will ensure you're not spending a lot of time on things that are not supporting the goals that you have."
[00:28:40] "I always come back to data. That's alwa

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/027-storytelling-nonprofit/ Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-18016 Tue, 07 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0400 2492 nonprofit, storytelling, fundraising, non-profit, charity 27 full false John Michael Clark - Family Leadership John Michael Clark - Family Leadership John Michael Clark teaches family leadership for men through the Captain's Course.[00:05:28] In this show, John Michael leads us through the three legs of family leadership:

 

  • Compassion 
  • Responsibility 
  • Authority[00:06:13] "As long as we're starting with compassion. Everything else will fall into place." JM gives examples from his own family to show how this looks.[00:10:37] Every person in the family has responsibility, but the ultimate burden falls on the man. "When men come to me complaining my first thing is to hold up the mirror to them and go, 'Hey bro, look at this guy.'"[00:13:16] In the church, men are told they need to lead like Jesus, but aren't taught how to do that.[00:15:29] The lies we believe about men can lead to extremes. One extreme can lead to abuse. The other can lead to passivity and families and relationships that drift. But good men are not afraid of bad guys.

[00:20:57] "If a man is loving his wife like Christ loves the church, women are going to thrive. Children are going to thrive, and men are going to thrive."[00:23:00] On issues of intimacy, JM says you can't rely on "imaginary invisible messages." Talk to your wife.[00:28:00] JM describes the Captain's Course. The course is open for registration only for a brief time, and YVP listeners can get a discount (see the link below). If you miss the summer class, get on JM's email list to catch the next one.[00:42:42] Learning from experience.

Links

johnmichaelclark.comfacebook.com/LeadWithStrengthAndLoveGet 50% the Captain's Course using the code YOURVOICEjohnmichaelclark.com/captainscourse

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> John Michael Clark teaches family leadership for men through the Captain's Course.[00:05:28] In this show, John Michael leads us through the three legs of family leadership:

 

  • Compassion 
  • Responsibility 
  • Authority[00:06:13] "As long as we're starting with compassion. Everything else will fall into place." JM gives examples from his own family to show how this looks.[00:10:37] Every person in the family has responsibility, but the ultimate burden falls on the man. "When men come to me complaining my first thing is to hold up the mirror to them and go, 'Hey bro, look at this guy.'"[00:13:16] In the church, men are told they need to lead like Jesus, but aren't taught how to do that.[00:15:29] The lies we believe about men can lead to extremes. One extreme can lead to abuse. The other can lead to passivity and families and relationships that drift. But good men are not afraid of bad guys.

[00:20:57] "If a man is loving his wife like Christ loves the church, women are going to thrive. Children are going to thrive, and men are going to thrive."[00:23:00] On issues of intimacy, JM says you can't rely on "imaginary invisible messages." Talk to your wife.[00:28:00] JM describes the Captain's Course. The course is open for registration only for a brief time, and YVP listeners can get a discount (see the link below). If you miss the summer class, get on JM's email list to catch the next one.[00:42:42] Learning from experience.

Links

johnmichaelclark.comfacebook.com/LeadWithStrengthAndLoveGet 50% the Captain's Course using the code YOURVOICEjohnmichaelclark.com/captainscourse

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-13443 Mon, 11 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400 2773 26 full false Allison Mayer - Witness with Images Allison Mayer - Witness with Images Allison Mayer is a photojournalist, using images to tell true stories and to help us understand the world. She describes herself as witness, storyteller and artist. She reminds us not to get so caught up in the story we want to tell that we miss the story unfolding before us.

[00:00:33] Allison describes her role with nonprofit organizations and NGOs across the world. She helps collect media for fund raising and awareness, and develops complete marketing plans.

[00:02:38] It's important to capture the full story, even if that story is never told in public. "To me it's all about making that connection and really treating everybody I meet with the respect that they deserve."

[00:03:45] "I want people to authentically share what they feel is their life."   

Links

Instagram.com/allisonmayerwsa
@Allisonmayerwsa on all social media

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Allison Mayer is a photojournalist, using images to tell true stories and to help us understand the world. She describes herself as witness, storyteller and artist. She reminds us not to get so caught up in the story we want to tell that we miss the story unfolding before us.

[00:00:33] Allison describes her role with nonprofit organizations and NGOs across the world. She helps collect media for fund raising and awareness, and develops complete marketing plans.

[00:02:38] It's important to capture the full story, even if that story is never told in public. "To me it's all about making that connection and really treating everybody I meet with the respect that they deserve."

[00:03:45] "I want people to authentically share what they feel is their life."   

Links

Instagram.com/allisonmayerwsa
@Allisonmayerwsa on all social media

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-12957 Mon, 04 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400 2319 25 full false Craig Klope - Starting with no Experience Craig Klope - Starting with no Experience J. Craig Klope started a celebrity talk show for radio even though he had no experience or training in radio or communications. Here's how he did it.

Starting With No Experience[00:01:30] Craig started listening to Mystery Theater on the radio as a child, and later he'd listen to radio talk shows as he traveled. The celebrity interviews intrigued him. After moving to Nashville in his 20's, Craig came up with the a name for a production company, had a letterhead made, and started contacting radio stations. He was finally able to secure a time slot at one of the Nashville stations, but he had no guests![00:05:07] Craig's determination and persistence paid off. His first guest was Bob Denver, the actor who played Gilligan on 

Gilligan's Island. Once that first show was done, it became easier to get more guests. Craig shares how he recorded the show in a spare bedroom with an answering machine.[00:07:23] Anybody could have looked at what Craig was doing and said, "That'll never work," but it did. If you have a dream, it's important to get people around you who will encourage you, not people who only tell you all the ways it won't work. Craig says, "If I'm with somebody else that has a dream I tried to look at the ways it can happen, because I know how it is to have somebody, or people, just say, 'Oh wow. That's great but you know it's impossible unless...this or this.' Well, we know that things aren't impossible. We've seen that over and over through many people that have had success."

[00:11:17] As different celebrities sent media packets and books, Craig read their autobiographies and got familiar with their stories, which were fascinating. Craig realized his show could tell more of the story than other shows where they only gave a few minutes to each guest. He's writing a book called 

Celebrities in My Guest Room which will include stories from the celebrities he's interviewed.[00:16:02] One interview that stands out is the one with television legend Art Linkletter: "He found that the people on the street, people that were not given a script, were actually funnier than people that had memorized monologues. So he would just go with it. Everyday people.That is a big testimony to his skill of bringing people out and getting the stories out of them."[00:23:32] Craig says once he got a few celebrities as guests, others followed. He learned to look for those who had a book to promote. Craig says, "Any time they had an autobiography, I knew that they had certain engagements they would have to make through the publisher." That was a prime opportunity for Craig.

Mentoring, Criticism, and Encouragement[00:25:48] Craig discussed some early mistakes. You can start without any knowledge or experience, but you can't stay that way. He tells how he found a mentor in the radio DJ who put his program the air.[00:34:33] He could have just dropped his tapes off at the radio station, but instead Craig sat with the DJ as the show aired. "I was like a sponge. I didn't know anything, so I tried to soak up as much from him - as much knowledge as I could."Craig was willing to put in the hours and make the necessary changes. It's important to listen to constructive criticism. And, if you're the one who's a little further along than someone else, then you can be the teacher.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> J. Craig Klope started a celebrity talk show for radio even though he had no experience or training in radio or communications. Here's how he did it.

Starting With No Experience[00:01:30] Craig started listening to Mystery Theater on the radio as a child, and later he'd listen to radio talk shows as he traveled. The celebrity interviews intrigued him. After moving to Nashville in his 20's, Craig came up with the a name for a production company, had a letterhead made, and started contacting radio stations. He was finally able to secure a time slot at one of the Nashville stations, but he had no guests![00:05:07] Craig's determination and persistence paid off. His first guest was Bob Denver, the actor who played Gilligan on 

Gilligan's Island. Once that first show was done, it became easier to get more guests. Craig shares how he recorded the show in a spare bedroom with an answering machine.[00:07:23] Anybody could have looked at what Craig was doing and said, "That'll never work," but it did. If you have a dream, it's important to get people around you who will encourage you, not people who only tell you all the ways it won't work. Craig says, "If I'm with somebody else that has a dream I tried to look at the ways it can happen, because I know how it is to have somebody, or people, just say, 'Oh wow. That's great but you know it's impossible unless...this or this.' Well, we know that things aren't impossible. We've seen that over and over through many people that have had success."

[00:11:17] As different celebrities sent media packets and books, Craig read their autobiographies and got familiar with their stories, which were fascinating. Craig realized his show could tell more of the story than other shows where they only gave a few minutes to each guest. He's writing a book called 

Celebrities in My Guest Room which will include stories from the celebrities he's interviewed.[00:16:02] One interview that stands out is the one with television legend Art Linkletter: "He found that the people on the street, people that were not given a script, were actually funnier than people that had memorized monologues. So he would just go with it. Everyday people.That is a big testimony to his skill of bringing people out and getting the stories out of them."[00:23:32] Craig says once he got a few celebrities as guests, others followed. He learned to look for those who had a book to promote. Craig says, "Any time they had an autobiography, I knew that they had certain engagements they would have to make through the publisher." That was a prime opportunity for Craig.

Mentoring, Criticism, and Encouragement[00:25:48] Craig discussed some early mistakes. You can start without any knowledge or experience, but you can't stay that way. He tells how he found a mentor in the radio DJ who put his program the air.[00:34:33] He could have just dropped his tapes off at the radio station, but instead Craig sat with the DJ as the show aired. "I was like a sponge. I didn't know anything, so I tried to soak up as much from him - as much knowledge as I could."Craig was willing to put in the hours and make the necessary changes. It's important to listen to constructive criticism. And, if you're the one who's a little further along than someone else, then you can be the teacher.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-11812 Thu, 24 May 2018 00:00:00 -0400 3197 24 full false Program Note - Summer Schedule Program Note - Summer Schedule We’re changing the schedule a bit. This Summer we'll have two shows each month, released on the first and third Monday. This means I’ll be back on Monday, May 21st with a new interview. Meanwhile, I invite you to check out some episodes you may have missed:Business:Courtney Buzzel - storytelling & marketingAurora Gregory - public speaking as a business-building tool Tami Romani - improve your speaking voiceWriters:Ronei Harden - working with an editor Katie Horner successful bloggingEthan Bryan shares his process for telling storiesTowera Loper's journey as a first-time author

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> We’re changing the schedule a bit. This Summer we'll have two shows each month, released on the first and third Monday. This means I’ll be back on Monday, May 21st with a new interview. Meanwhile, I invite you to check out some episodes you may have missed:Business:Courtney Buzzel - storytelling & marketingAurora Gregory - public speaking as a business-building tool Tami Romani - improve your speaking voiceWriters:Ronei Harden - working with an editor Katie Horner successful bloggingEthan Bryan shares his process for telling storiesTowera Loper's journey as a first-time author

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-11460 Mon, 14 May 2018 00:00:00 -0400 105 23 bonus false Tami Romani - Brand Voice Strategist Tami Romani - Brand Voice Strategist People will judge you almost immediately by what comes across in the sound of your voice. Voice brand strategist Tami Romani shares tips to improve your voice.In this show we are literally talking about finding your voice. Chances are you've heard Tami Romani's voice in commercials or perhaps on an audio book. Now Tami shares her experience with us in her role as a brand voice strategist and business communication consultant.

Highlights[00:03:57] Vocal pet peeves[00:08:02] The physicality of your voice. Tami shared some practical exercises you can do today to improve your voice.

 

  • Awareness is the first step, so you'll need to listen to a recording of yourself speaking. Which of the vocal pet peeves are you guilty of? 
  • Breathing - Take a normal breath and exhale on an "awwww" sound for as long as you can go. At what point does your voice fail? The average sentence is 10-12 seconds long. Do you have enough breath to get through a sentence?

[00:14:38] Tami explains why it's not just professional speakers and business people who need to develop their voice. Everybody can benefit. And if you are in business, vocal training is a must: "There's not there's not a head of a company anywhere who hasn't had some kind of vocal training to make them sound more confident and have a better presence."[00:21:03] There's always room to improve. If you don't like your voice, there are things you can do to change it. Learning to breathe correctly will correct most mistakes - and Tami has a resource you can download from her site to help you with that.[00:23:03] Some of our vocal problems come from our discomfort with silence. We feel like we need to fill every part of our speech with sound, but silence can be a strength. "There's power in a blank pause. It makes people perk up and lean in to what you're about to say."
[00:26:14] We do a breathing exercise. All of us. You too.[00:27:30] Tips for avoiding gasps, mouth clicks, smacking, and other vocal no-nos.[00:32:57] Recent studies show how important our voices are to perception. People will judge you almost immediately by what comes across in the sound of your voice. If you have a message to communicate, it may be more believable through voice-only communication avenues - like a podcast! Why? Apparently the voice is not as good at pretending.

Links

tamiromani.comtwitter.com/tamiromani

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> People will judge you almost immediately by what comes across in the sound of your voice. Voice brand strategist Tami Romani shares tips to improve your voice.In this show we are literally talking about finding your voice. Chances are you've heard Tami Romani's voice in commercials or perhaps on an audio book. Now Tami shares her experience with us in her role as a brand voice strategist and business communication consultant.

Highlights[00:03:57] Vocal pet peeves[00:08:02] The physicality of your voice. Tami shared some practical exercises you can do today to improve your voice.

 

  • Awareness is the first step, so you'll need to listen to a recording of yourself speaking. Which of the vocal pet peeves are you guilty of? 
  • Breathing - Take a normal breath and exhale on an "awwww" sound for as long as you can go. At what point does your voice fail? The average sentence is 10-12 seconds long. Do you have enough breath to get through a sentence?

[00:14:38] Tami explains why it's not just professional speakers and business people who need to develop their voice. Everybody can benefit. And if you are in business, vocal training is a must: "There's not there's not a head of a company anywhere who hasn't had some kind of vocal training to make them sound more confident and have a better presence."[00:21:03] There's always room to improve. If you don't like your voice, there are things you can do to change it. Learning to breathe correctly will correct most mistakes - and Tami has a resource you can download from her site to help you with that.[00:23:03] Some of our vocal problems come from our discomfort with silence. We feel like we need to fill every part of our speech with sound, but silence can be a strength. "There's power in a blank pause. It makes people perk up and lean in to what you're about to say."
[00:26:14] We do a breathing exercise. All of us. You too.[00:27:30] Tips for avoiding gasps, mouth clicks, smacking, and other vocal no-nos.[00:32:57] Recent studies show how important our voices are to perception. People will judge you almost immediately by what comes across in the sound of your voice. If you have a message to communicate, it may be more believable through voice-only communication avenues - like a podcast! Why? Apparently the voice is not as good at pretending.

Links

tamiromani.comtwitter.com/tamiromani

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-11064 Tue, 08 May 2018 00:00:00 -0400 2376 22 full false Special - Finding Your Voice Special - Finding Your Voice This week I've pulled together segments from some earlier interviews to explore the idea of finding your voice.
From Ronne RockWith her experience in the corporate world, Ronne knows the assessments and personality tests, but she says it's a small tribe of people you need to speak truth into your life. The dialogue between you and your tribe is where the themes and calling of your life emerge.
From Mashona CouncilMashona's vision forms step by step. It's a walk of trust, taking one day at a time. Whether it's a lifelong vision, a 125-mile trek, or a daily commitment to step up - she says God is faithful to meet us along the way.
From Matt HamApart from God, you can't find your true voice. Matt explores the voices of praise and criticism that threaten to take us off course, and how to stay on the path to a fruitful life. 

Links:

15 Questions Every Millennial Needs to Ask to Discover Their True CallingYouprint.lifeWake Up My Faith  

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> This week I've pulled together segments from some earlier interviews to explore the idea of finding your voice.
From Ronne RockWith her experience in the corporate world, Ronne knows the assessments and personality tests, but she says it's a small tribe of people you need to speak truth into your life. The dialogue between you and your tribe is where the themes and calling of your life emerge.
From Mashona CouncilMashona's vision forms step by step. It's a walk of trust, taking one day at a time. Whether it's a lifelong vision, a 125-mile trek, or a daily commitment to step up - she says God is faithful to meet us along the way.
From Matt HamApart from God, you can't find your true voice. Matt explores the voices of praise and criticism that threaten to take us off course, and how to stay on the path to a fruitful life. 

Links:

15 Questions Every Millennial Needs to Ask to Discover Their True CallingYouprint.lifeWake Up My Faith  

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-10549 Mon, 30 Apr 2018 01:00:00 -0400 1737 21 full false Nick Pavlidis - From Attorney to Ghostwriter Nick Pavlidis - From Attorney to Ghostwriter UPDATE: At the time of this recording, the show was called The Your Voice Podcast. Since this recording, Kay has has rebranded to Life and Mission.

After more than a decade practicing law, Nick Pavlidis changed the direction of his career to better fit the lifestyle he wanted for his family. He now runs two work-from-anywhere businesses, Authority Ghostwriting and Attorney Marketing Institute, which allow him to work in his strengths and build the best life for his family.

[00:00:00] Nick says it all started with his book, Confessions of a Terrible Husband: Lessons Learned from a Lumpy Couch. He looked around and saw a future he didn't want. Then he took action to take his life in the direction that matched his priorities.

[00:05:39] Putting boundaries around the important things.

[00:09:48] Nick's podcasts - Confessions of a Terrible Husband, and Five Minutes with Dad.

[00:11:17] The key to all good marketing--tell your audience what you can do for THEM.

[00:14:14] Nick's marketing podcast
[00:20:04] Ghostwriting
[00:25:45] Nick does a podcast with his kids: https://fiveminuteswithdad.com/
[00:34:27] The Attorney Marketing Institute

Note from Kay: I'm traveling, so the show notes are a little sparse this week. Next week, I hope to have a story for you from Liberia.

Links
AuthorityGhostwriting.com
AttorneyMarketingInstitute.com
twitter.com/nickpavlidis
Instagram.com/nickpavlidis
Linkedin.com/in/nickpavlidis

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> UPDATE: At the time of this recording, the show was called The Your Voice Podcast. Since this recording, Kay has has rebranded to Life and Mission.

After more than a decade practicing law, Nick Pavlidis changed the direction of his career to better fit the lifestyle he wanted for his family. He now runs two work-from-anywhere businesses, Authority Ghostwriting and Attorney Marketing Institute, which allow him to work in his strengths and build the best life for his family.

[00:00:00] Nick says it all started with his book, Confessions of a Terrible Husband: Lessons Learned from a Lumpy Couch. He looked around and saw a future he didn't want. Then he took action to take his life in the direction that matched his priorities.

[00:05:39] Putting boundaries around the important things.

[00:09:48] Nick's podcasts - Confessions of a Terrible Husband, and Five Minutes with Dad.

[00:11:17] The key to all good marketing--tell your audience what you can do for THEM.

[00:14:14] Nick's marketing podcast
[00:20:04] Ghostwriting
[00:25:45] Nick does a podcast with his kids: https://fiveminuteswithdad.com/
[00:34:27] The Attorney Marketing Institute

Note from Kay: I'm traveling, so the show notes are a little sparse this week. Next week, I hope to have a story for you from Liberia.

Links
AuthorityGhostwriting.com
AttorneyMarketingInstitute.com
twitter.com/nickpavlidis
Instagram.com/nickpavlidis
Linkedin.com/in/nickpavlidis

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> http://writing, writer, ghostwriter, family, choices, purpose, freedom, author Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-8637 Sun, 08 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0400 2391 20 full false Ronei Harden on Writing and Editing Ronei Harden on Writing and Editing Ronei is a writer, editor, and a writing instructor. She assists authors with everything from the writing process to the editing and production of their book. I asked her to talk about each of those roles. She clearly enjoys helping authors along in the process.[00:04:14] Authors usually arrive with a "how" question. The initial conversation is finding out where they are in the process. Then they work together to make a plan for getting the next phase accomplished.
[00:05:55] An editor can guide you through the process so you can connect with your intended audience. "You want to get it in the right hands so that it can have a maximum effect. So you always have to ask who is this book for?"

Essentials of good storytelling
[00:08:00] Ronei explains the difference between storytelling and writing.Your story has a purpose. You have to know that purpose. You also have to know the audience. Ask yourself where your story is going, and what you want it to do when it gets there. Editors help the writer accomplish the goals they have for the book, word by word."If you're really well-read, and you have a good vocabulary, you can write well - and editors are there to help you as well. You know, if you can't think of the word, we're there to help you come up with other words to describe what you're trying to say."[00:14:16] Think of your story like a recipe. All of these things we're talking about are ingredients. These are the elements of the story and the writing itself. Capture the ideas first. Get it written down, and don't worry about the format. Then you can think about how you can put them together.

Why you shouldn't rush the process
[00:17:59] You can write a book in thirty days, but will it be your best work?

"Our words are so powerful, and if delivered properly they're going to educate someone. They're going to really lift someone up out of their situation. They're going to inspire them."[00:21:00] The first pass through the finished work involves "Ms Ronei's Never-Ever List." You can get this list from Ronei's web site. Ronei walks us through the process and explains each stage, all the way through to printing. "You're going from big picture down to fine details."[00:26:10] It's normal to have a lot of changes. Ronei says sometimes an author will not really discover who their characters are until they go through the editing process.[00:28:48] What to expect when hiring an editor.

Links

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Ronei is a writer, editor, and a writing instructor. She assists authors with everything from the writing process to the editing and production of their book. I asked her to talk about each of those roles. She clearly enjoys helping authors along in the process.[00:04:14] Authors usually arrive with a "how" question. The initial conversation is finding out where they are in the process. Then they work together to make a plan for getting the next phase accomplished.
[00:05:55] An editor can guide you through the process so you can connect with your intended audience. "You want to get it in the right hands so that it can have a maximum effect. So you always have to ask who is this book for?"

Essentials of good storytelling
[00:08:00] Ronei explains the difference between storytelling and writing.Your story has a purpose. You have to know that purpose. You also have to know the audience. Ask yourself where your story is going, and what you want it to do when it gets there. Editors help the writer accomplish the goals they have for the book, word by word."If you're really well-read, and you have a good vocabulary, you can write well - and editors are there to help you as well. You know, if you can't think of the word, we're there to help you come up with other words to describe what you're trying to say."[00:14:16] Think of your story like a recipe. All of these things we're talking about are ingredients. These are the elements of the story and the writing itself. Capture the ideas first. Get it written down, and don't worry about the format. Then you can think about how you can put them together.

Why you shouldn't rush the process
[00:17:59] You can write a book in thirty days, but will it be your best work?

"Our words are so powerful, and if delivered properly they're going to educate someone. They're going to really lift someone up out of their situation. They're going to inspire them."[00:21:00] The first pass through the finished work involves "Ms Ronei's Never-Ever List." You can get this list from Ronei's web site. Ronei walks us through the process and explains each stage, all the way through to printing. "You're going from big picture down to fine details."[00:26:10] It's normal to have a lot of changes. Ronei says sometimes an author will not really discover who their characters are until they go through the editing process.[00:28:48] What to expect when hiring an editor.

Links

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-8336 Mon, 02 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0400 2443 19 full false Lorna Bailey - Journaling and Planners Lorna Bailey - Journaling and Planners When Lorna Bailey discovered planners, it changed her life. She created a web site to help people through the choices and offers practical tips to fight the overwhelm. In this interview, she shares how to start with journalling and planners.

Just Make it Messy
[00:01:15] We recorded this podcast in February. By this time some of us have started journalling--and given up. But journaling is like any other good habit. If you can link it to another, established habit, then you're more likely to keep it up. Lorna says if you want to get started, don't try to do it like everyone on Pinterest or Instagram. "Just make it messy...You're going to figure it out as you go along, and that's ok. Everyone has to start somewhere."
[00:04:20] What goes in a journal? Whatever you want! "Just start like jotting things down in your planner. You'll be really surprised at how fun it is to like look back and see what you done what's going on in your life and where you're at now."

Make a Routine
[00:07:20] Lorna shares her morning planning and journaling routine. Yours doesn't have to look like hers, it just has to work for you.[00:09:42] There are many types of planners. Lorna went over a few here, and you can find a wide variety of planners on her web site.
[00:11:24] Lorna tells her story. When she started journalling, it was a way to take control of her time and her future. "A lot of that," she says, "was because I was really intentional with my time, and really intentional about 'OK, what's something I can do that's a quick 10 minute task that will get me closer to my goal?' Because if you look at big dreams and big goals, they're really just little consistent things we do each day."

[00:13:31] There is a passionate community around journaling and planners. Lorna's passion for planners led to a blog. That community has a host of ideas and approaches. There's sure to be some approach that works for you. "I really encourage people to just not get discouraged about there's no such thing as the perfect planner."[00:18:48] Lorna and her husband visited a paper shop that claimed to have planners. But in reality it had just two. That experience was disappointing, but it helped drive Lorna to build what she calls "the planner index." She wants to share the amazing variety available. Her advice is to keep trying until you find the one that works for you. "It does take some stumbling and bumbling around sometimes, so give yourself permission."

Stay Focused for Success
[00:20:54] Digital planners are powerful, but they come with distractions. Again, you have to find what works for you. Focus is a key to success, so make sure your choice of planners helps you to do that.
[00:24:46] Lorna shared three keys to journaling:

  • Make it messy. This is for you and no one else. It doesn't need to be perfect. 
  • Dream. Think about where you want to be in five years. What do you

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> When Lorna Bailey discovered planners, it changed her life. She created a web site to help people through the choices and offers practical tips to fight the overwhelm. In this interview, she shares how to start with journalling and planners.

Just Make it Messy
[00:01:15] We recorded this podcast in February. By this time some of us have started journalling--and given up. But journaling is like any other good habit. If you can link it to another, established habit, then you're more likely to keep it up. Lorna says if you want to get started, don't try to do it like everyone on Pinterest or Instagram. "Just make it messy...You're going to figure it out as you go along, and that's ok. Everyone has to start somewhere."
[00:04:20] What goes in a journal? Whatever you want! "Just start like jotting things down in your planner. You'll be really surprised at how fun it is to like look back and see what you done what's going on in your life and where you're at now."

Make a Routine
[00:07:20] Lorna shares her morning planning and journaling routine. Yours doesn't have to look like hers, it just has to work for you.[00:09:42] There are many types of planners. Lorna went over a few here, and you can find a wide variety of planners on her web site.
[00:11:24] Lorna tells her story. When she started journalling, it was a way to take control of her time and her future. "A lot of that," she says, "was because I was really intentional with my time, and really intentional about 'OK, what's something I can do that's a quick 10 minute task that will get me closer to my goal?' Because if you look at big dreams and big goals, they're really just little consistent things we do each day."

[00:13:31] There is a passionate community around journaling and planners. Lorna's passion for planners led to a blog. That community has a host of ideas and approaches. There's sure to be some approach that works for you. "I really encourage people to just not get discouraged about there's no such thing as the perfect planner."[00:18:48] Lorna and her husband visited a paper shop that claimed to have planners. But in reality it had just two. That experience was disappointing, but it helped drive Lorna to build what she calls "the planner index." She wants to share the amazing variety available. Her advice is to keep trying until you find the one that works for you. "It does take some stumbling and bumbling around sometimes, so give yourself permission."

Stay Focused for Success
[00:20:54] Digital planners are powerful, but they come with distractions. Again, you have to find what works for you. Focus is a key to success, so make sure your choice of planners helps you to do that.
[00:24:46] Lorna shared three keys to journaling:

  • Make it messy. This is for you and no one else. It doesn't need to be perfect. 
  • Dream. Think about where you want to be in five years. What do you

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-7788 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0400 1727 18 full false Katie Hornor - Blogging Success Katie Hornor - Blogging Success Katie is the founder and CEO of Blogging Successfully and The Blog Connection, an online membership community helping midlife women spread their message and increase their income.

Getting Started & Getting it Done
[00:08:42] Work/Life balance.We say it's not balance, it's blending. You cannot separate who you are in God from what you do on a daily basis. And God has called us to all of these things. And so we are blending all of these things together.


The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (Thessalonians 5: 24)

[00:13:16] Any marketer knows you need to identify the audience. Listen to Katie describe her audience and the ways she can serve them. She's done a great job identifying who she serves and what their needs are. By building a community for support, Katie takes some of the pressure off herself and provides a platform for others.



Keys to Success
[00:34:35] Katie shares the three key things you need to succeed as a blogger:

  • Guts. It doesn't matter who tells you you can't. You need to do this, if this is what God has called you to do. 
  • Marketing. It's not a dirty word. It just means the way to let people know about what you have to offer them. It's a way to let people know how you can help them. 
  • Keep God front and center of your business. Don't get distracted.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Katie is the founder and CEO of Blogging Successfully and The Blog Connection, an online membership community helping midlife women spread their message and increase their income.

Getting Started & Getting it Done
[00:08:42] Work/Life balance.We say it's not balance, it's blending. You cannot separate who you are in God from what you do on a daily basis. And God has called us to all of these things. And so we are blending all of these things together.


The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (Thessalonians 5: 24)

[00:13:16] Any marketer knows you need to identify the audience. Listen to Katie describe her audience and the ways she can serve them. She's done a great job identifying who she serves and what their needs are. By building a community for support, Katie takes some of the pressure off herself and provides a platform for others.



Keys to Success
[00:34:35] Katie shares the three key things you need to succeed as a blogger:

  • Guts. It doesn't matter who tells you you can't. You need to do this, if this is what God has called you to do. 
  • Marketing. It's not a dirty word. It just means the way to let people know about what you have to offer them. It's a way to let people know how you can help them. 
  • Keep God front and center of your business. Don't get distracted.


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> https://lifeandmission.com/blogging-sucess-with-katie-horner/ Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-7370 Mon, 19 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0400 2710 business, faith, blogging 17 full false Carly Davis - South East Asia Prayer Center Carly Davis - South East Asia Prayer Center This week my guest is Carly Davis, Missions Coordinator for South East Asia Prayer Center. SEAPC works among the people in the platform that the Lord creates, such as healthcare, parenting, microeconomic development, and education while praying the Lord’s blessing upon the Nation.
[00:01:39] SEAPC overview, and a little of the story that started it all.
[00:05:58] Carly talks about her role as Missions Coordinator, helping people use their gifts and talents. She shares about a woman who thought her job was holding her back from ministry, only to find it was preparing her. That's often how it is, but God is in control.
[00:11:54] How prayer paved the way for schools in an entire province of Cambodia to be renewed.
[00:18:52] SEAPC is known for prayer, and particularly prayer walking. It's just what it says. Walking and praying. Praying and walking. "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses." (Joshua 1:3, KJV)

Links

SEAPC.orghttps://twitter.com/SEAPChttps://www.facebook.com/SEAPChttps://www.youtube.com/user/SEAPC  

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> This week my guest is Carly Davis, Missions Coordinator for South East Asia Prayer Center. SEAPC works among the people in the platform that the Lord creates, such as healthcare, parenting, microeconomic development, and education while praying the Lord’s blessing upon the Nation.
[00:01:39] SEAPC overview, and a little of the story that started it all.
[00:05:58] Carly talks about her role as Missions Coordinator, helping people use their gifts and talents. She shares about a woman who thought her job was holding her back from ministry, only to find it was preparing her. That's often how it is, but God is in control.
[00:11:54] How prayer paved the way for schools in an entire province of Cambodia to be renewed.
[00:18:52] SEAPC is known for prayer, and particularly prayer walking. It's just what it says. Walking and praying. Praying and walking. "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses." (Joshua 1:3, KJV)

Links

SEAPC.orghttps://twitter.com/SEAPChttps://www.facebook.com/SEAPChttps://www.youtube.com/user/SEAPC  

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-6909 Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0400 1927 16 full false Ryan Eller - Live Your List Ryan Eller - Live Your List Last year, Ryan Eller knocked a few things off his bucket list. Then he spent three months helping other people knock things off their lists. Now he's written a book about these experiences, Live Your List. In this interview, he shares how you can live intentionally and do the things you've always wanted to do.

[00:02:20] Ryan tells about a turning point for himself personally, and how the Live Your List Project got started.
He says, "I started writing down all the things I wanted to do in my life and it started off with travel things and experiences and adventures I want to take. It started out with me things things that I wanted to do." Then it started to change. "The longer I sat there, the more items I put down started changing from being about me to 'What do I want my family to look like? What do I want my future to look like? How can I impact people?' and 'What difference can I make in this world?'"
[00:08:09] Even Ryan's six-year-old daughter has a list. He talks about the joy of teaching her to dream big and live with intentionality.

The Live Your List Project
[00:11:26] The Live Your List Project - From the State Fair to Zambia and Dubai, helping other people do the things on their lists.
[00:13:24] We talk about the Live Your List book. you can get it on Ryan's web site. I had to ask Ryan why he started with the story about Chinese cupping. It sounded excruciating. But it's a great story about getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things. There is something about travel that lends itself to that, but it's not automatic.
[00:14:21] The seven levels of Live Your List.

How to expand your comfort zone
[00:22:47] Ryan tells how you can expand your comfort zone.
[00:28:20] "If you live in that stretch zone that comfort zone grows and grows. You're always learning, you're always growing. You're always helping people out, and you're living life intentionally."Ryan asked himself, "What else have I assumed I cannot do that I can actually do?" He started pursuing those things.

[00:34:34] "You have to take ownership of your life and who you are and what life looks like and move yourself in directions where you can do those things. I'm very privileged I'm very fortunate to be able do what I do."
[00:36:16] How to get the book - and a special offer for our listeners!

Links

RyanEller.comTwitter.com/R

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Last year, Ryan Eller knocked a few things off his bucket list. Then he spent three months helping other people knock things off their lists. Now he's written a book about these experiences, Live Your List. In this interview, he shares how you can live intentionally and do the things you've always wanted to do.

[00:02:20] Ryan tells about a turning point for himself personally, and how the Live Your List Project got started.
He says, "I started writing down all the things I wanted to do in my life and it started off with travel things and experiences and adventures I want to take. It started out with me things things that I wanted to do." Then it started to change. "The longer I sat there, the more items I put down started changing from being about me to 'What do I want my family to look like? What do I want my future to look like? How can I impact people?' and 'What difference can I make in this world?'"
[00:08:09] Even Ryan's six-year-old daughter has a list. He talks about the joy of teaching her to dream big and live with intentionality.

The Live Your List Project
[00:11:26] The Live Your List Project - From the State Fair to Zambia and Dubai, helping other people do the things on their lists.
[00:13:24] We talk about the Live Your List book. you can get it on Ryan's web site. I had to ask Ryan why he started with the story about Chinese cupping. It sounded excruciating. But it's a great story about getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things. There is something about travel that lends itself to that, but it's not automatic.
[00:14:21] The seven levels of Live Your List.

How to expand your comfort zone
[00:22:47] Ryan tells how you can expand your comfort zone.
[00:28:20] "If you live in that stretch zone that comfort zone grows and grows. You're always learning, you're always growing. You're always helping people out, and you're living life intentionally."Ryan asked himself, "What else have I assumed I cannot do that I can actually do?" He started pursuing those things.

[00:34:34] "You have to take ownership of your life and who you are and what life looks like and move yourself in directions where you can do those things. I'm very privileged I'm very fortunate to be able do what I do."
[00:36:16] How to get the book - and a special offer for our listeners!

Links

RyanEller.comTwitter.com/R

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-6453 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0500 2284 15 full false Aurora Gregory - Public Speaking Aurora Gregory - Public Speaking Aurora Gregory has built marketing strategies for some of the biggest names in business for more than 25 years. She’s a big believer in the power of public speaking as a business building tool. She co-authored the book “Get Picked: Tips, Tricks and Tools for Creating An Irresistible Speaker Proposal.”
[00:01:29] Aurora hates watching entrepreneurs struggle to connect with customers.I love being able to come alongside them and help them understand. Like, OK here this is who your customer is. This is what they need to hear from you. And this is how they need to hear it. If you'll just do these things well then it won't be such a struggle and you'll build those connections and relationships with your customers...One of the ways that they can do that is using public speaking.

Public Speaking to Connect with Customers

[00:03:53] Anybody who stands at the microphone is immediately viewed as the expert. What it also allows you to do is to tell stories. It allows you to tell your story your journey as a business person. It allows you to tell the stories of your past or past customers or current customers and the successes that you help them achieve.
[00:05:13] Stories have a simple structure. Use that structure to build your speech. Embrace the storytelling and see yourself as the hero.
[00:06:49] Give Them Your Best

"I would contend that when you do that, when you when you come at it from the place of helping and serving people, that nine times out of ten you will be the choice. Because every person can discern genuineness and if that's your genuine heart, is to help people make the best possible choice... that will come through and more often than not, you will be that choice."
[00:08:55] Practice Telling StoriesI am notorious for testing out ideas when I'm in line at the coffee shop or online at the grocery store and strike up a conversation with someone and invariably you'll be able to kind of guide the conversation or it just comes up...I will use that as an opportunity to kind of test things because that gives me a chance to practice and they don't need to know that I'm practicing.
[00:14:09] The difference between fear and nerves. Deal with your fears of public speaking by speaking more. Getting some practice, a little a little bit at a time. Speaking more, and taking the fear of the unknown out of it.
[00:16:13] Facing fear as an entrepreneur, in Christ.We have to believe and we have to commit to the belief that God is on our side. That Jesus walks with us and that he is at work in building our business, that he brings those opportunities. That he will bring clients, that he will bring business. Our job is to take those opportunities. To rise to those opportunities. To take care of customers, to work faithfully to serve our customers.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Aurora Gregory has built marketing strategies for some of the biggest names in business for more than 25 years. She’s a big believer in the power of public speaking as a business building tool. She co-authored the book “Get Picked: Tips, Tricks and Tools for Creating An Irresistible Speaker Proposal.”
[00:01:29] Aurora hates watching entrepreneurs struggle to connect with customers.I love being able to come alongside them and help them understand. Like, OK here this is who your customer is. This is what they need to hear from you. And this is how they need to hear it. If you'll just do these things well then it won't be such a struggle and you'll build those connections and relationships with your customers...One of the ways that they can do that is using public speaking.

Public Speaking to Connect with Customers

[00:03:53] Anybody who stands at the microphone is immediately viewed as the expert. What it also allows you to do is to tell stories. It allows you to tell your story your journey as a business person. It allows you to tell the stories of your past or past customers or current customers and the successes that you help them achieve.
[00:05:13] Stories have a simple structure. Use that structure to build your speech. Embrace the storytelling and see yourself as the hero.
[00:06:49] Give Them Your Best

"I would contend that when you do that, when you when you come at it from the place of helping and serving people, that nine times out of ten you will be the choice. Because every person can discern genuineness and if that's your genuine heart, is to help people make the best possible choice... that will come through and more often than not, you will be that choice."
[00:08:55] Practice Telling StoriesI am notorious for testing out ideas when I'm in line at the coffee shop or online at the grocery store and strike up a conversation with someone and invariably you'll be able to kind of guide the conversation or it just comes up...I will use that as an opportunity to kind of test things because that gives me a chance to practice and they don't need to know that I'm practicing.
[00:14:09] The difference between fear and nerves. Deal with your fears of public speaking by speaking more. Getting some practice, a little a little bit at a time. Speaking more, and taking the fear of the unknown out of it.
[00:16:13] Facing fear as an entrepreneur, in Christ.We have to believe and we have to commit to the belief that God is on our side. That Jesus walks with us and that he is at work in building our business, that he brings those opportunities. That he will bring clients, that he will bring business. Our job is to take those opportunities. To rise to those opportunities. To take care of customers, to work faithfully to serve our customers.

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]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-5270 Tue, 20 Feb 2018 01:00:00 -0500 2414 14 full false Ethan Bryan - Baseball and Storytelling Ethan Bryan - Baseball and Storytelling Ethan Bryan is an author, musician, storyteller, and passionate fan of the Kansas City Royals. His stories are a celebration of life and the game of baseball. I talked to Ethan about his books, stories of the game, and how storytelling touches our souls. He's also got some advice for aspiring writers.

Baseball Stories

[00:01:07] America at the Seams - Ethan collected baseball stories from all 50 states for this coffee table book.
[00:05:04] "I'm convinced everyone has a baseball story even if they're not a fan of the game."

[00:06:00] Baseball brings people together.
[00:07:32] The story of SungWoo Lee, a long-distance KC Royals fan from South Korea. A beautiful stadium, Twitter connections, the keys to city, an opening pitch - and the Royals win the World Series. You've got to hear this!
[00:11:37] Ethan's books
[00:14:27] The best book store in the country

How to Tell Stories

[00:17:44] How to tell stories

"When you're able to phrase it in the form of a story, you have someone else come out and say, 'I know exactly what you mean.' It opens up windows into their story as well."
[00:21:24] Storytelling for nonprofits. This is something I (Kay) love to do, so there's a story here from the organization I work with. I shared it as an example of how storytelling gets us past the statistics and the list of accomplishments, and connects us to each other on a deeper human level.
[00:26:42] Telling another person's story responsibly. Ethan shares his process.
[00:28:44] "When someone reads something that I've written about them I want them to be really proud of it."
[00:33:41] Ethan gave us a few book recommendations for writing and story development.[00:38:53] "I think my calling as a writer is mostly to be a feel good writer to try and leave the reader with a smile and a renewed feeling of hope." Ethan runs through a short description of his books so we can decide which one to read first.

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Ethan Bryan is an author, musician, storyteller, and passionate fan of the Kansas City Royals. His stories are a celebration of life and the game of baseball. I talked to Ethan about his books, stories of the game, and how storytelling touches our souls. He's also got some advice for aspiring writers.

Baseball Stories

[00:01:07] America at the Seams - Ethan collected baseball stories from all 50 states for this coffee table book.
[00:05:04] "I'm convinced everyone has a baseball story even if they're not a fan of the game."

[00:06:00] Baseball brings people together.
[00:07:32] The story of SungWoo Lee, a long-distance KC Royals fan from South Korea. A beautiful stadium, Twitter connections, the keys to city, an opening pitch - and the Royals win the World Series. You've got to hear this!
[00:11:37] Ethan's books
[00:14:27] The best book store in the country

How to Tell Stories

[00:17:44] How to tell stories

"When you're able to phrase it in the form of a story, you have someone else come out and say, 'I know exactly what you mean.' It opens up windows into their story as well."
[00:21:24] Storytelling for nonprofits. This is something I (Kay) love to do, so there's a story here from the organization I work with. I shared it as an example of how storytelling gets us past the statistics and the list of accomplishments, and connects us to each other on a deeper human level.
[00:26:42] Telling another person's story responsibly. Ethan shares his process.
[00:28:44] "When someone reads something that I've written about them I want them to be really proud of it."
[00:33:41] Ethan gave us a few book recommendations for writing and story development.[00:38:53] "I think my calling as a writer is mostly to be a feel good writer to try and leave the reader with a smile and a renewed feeling of hope." Ethan runs through a short description of his books so we can decide which one to read first.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-4587 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 01:00:00 -0500 2267 13 full false Sean Douglas - Resilience Sean Douglas - Resilience Sean is is a resilience trainer, author and speaker. [00:01:22] Think positivelyThe key is not just to go through but to grow through.
[00:12:25] You choose what you focus on. You focus on the negatives or focus on the positive. Right. Because. Because what you focus on expands. And so if you focus on the positives you get to see a lot of positives focus on negatives you see a lot of negatives.[00:13:53] Build a personal Board of Directors[00:19:11] Talking about Sean's TEDx Talk: Hack Your Brain For Success. [00:23:47] Establish habits for successYou can actually rewire your brain's way of thinking. You could actually rewire your brain to be successful. People who have a mindfulness habit. People who have a daily gratitude habit. People who institute these rituals and these habits, you know. I've talked to a lot of different people who are successful on all kinds of levels. And one thing that's in common is that they all have a ritual.[00:29:09] The power of gratitude[00:38:51] There's always an opportunity to grow and every positive and negative thing that happens in your life every single situation has an opportunity for growth.

LinksSean Douglas is a TEDx Speaker, Master Resilience Implementer, International Radio Show Host, Performance Enhancement Expert, Author. You can find him here:

thesuccesscorps.comfacebook.com/seandouglasspeaksfacebook.com/TheSuccessCorpsfacebook.com/LifeTransformationRadioLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-douglas-a0890473 

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]]> Sean is is a resilience trainer, author and speaker. [00:01:22] Think positivelyThe key is not just to go through but to grow through.
[00:12:25] You choose what you focus on. You focus on the negatives or focus on the positive. Right. Because. Because what you focus on expands. And so if you focus on the positives you get to see a lot of positives focus on negatives you see a lot of negatives.[00:13:53] Build a personal Board of Directors[00:19:11] Talking about Sean's TEDx Talk: Hack Your Brain For Success. [00:23:47] Establish habits for successYou can actually rewire your brain's way of thinking. You could actually rewire your brain to be successful. People who have a mindfulness habit. People who have a daily gratitude habit. People who institute these rituals and these habits, you know. I've talked to a lot of different people who are successful on all kinds of levels. And one thing that's in common is that they all have a ritual.[00:29:09] The power of gratitude[00:38:51] There's always an opportunity to grow and every positive and negative thing that happens in your life every single situation has an opportunity for growth.

LinksSean Douglas is a TEDx Speaker, Master Resilience Implementer, International Radio Show Host, Performance Enhancement Expert, Author. You can find him here:

thesuccesscorps.comfacebook.com/seandouglasspeaksfacebook.com/TheSuccessCorpsfacebook.com/LifeTransformationRadioLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-douglas-a0890473 

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-3553 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 22:00:00 -0500 2581 12 full false Emeka Nnaka - Essentials of Hope Emeka Nnaka - Essentials of Hope Emeka Nnaka was on his way. He had a future playing football - until a life-changing tackle left him paralyzed. In this interview, Emeka shares his story and what he's learned about hope, purpose, and being human.
[00:03:30] Emeka tells how his life changed in an instant.
[00:08:36] I never knew what hope was until I lost all of it.
[00:14:31] The hardest part.
[00:22:42] Finding meaning and purpose.
[00:25:18] I knew that if I was going to add value to anyone, to add value to this world, that I needed to make sure I added value to myself.
[00:32:36] Making a masterpiece out of a mess. The art lesson.

[00:40:22] Three essential elements of hope.
[00:52:58] Anything that we do, our ultimate goal has to be centered around serving people.
[00:54:56] People Matter. Emeka talks about what happens when he visits kids in the shelter.Emeka is a professional motivational speaker and leading advocate for individuals with physical challenges. He brings a message of determination, inspiration, and hope to audiences of all ages.
emekannaka.comlivebeyondlabels.com
Instagram- @emekannaka
Twitter- @emekannaka
Facebook - Emeka Nnaka
Youtube - FromWhereiSit   


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Emeka Nnaka was on his way. He had a future playing football - until a life-changing tackle left him paralyzed. In this interview, Emeka shares his story and what he's learned about hope, purpose, and being human.
[00:03:30] Emeka tells how his life changed in an instant.
[00:08:36] I never knew what hope was until I lost all of it.
[00:14:31] The hardest part.
[00:22:42] Finding meaning and purpose.
[00:25:18] I knew that if I was going to add value to anyone, to add value to this world, that I needed to make sure I added value to myself.
[00:32:36] Making a masterpiece out of a mess. The art lesson.

[00:40:22] Three essential elements of hope.
[00:52:58] Anything that we do, our ultimate goal has to be centered around serving people.
[00:54:56] People Matter. Emeka talks about what happens when he visits kids in the shelter.Emeka is a professional motivational speaker and leading advocate for individuals with physical challenges. He brings a message of determination, inspiration, and hope to audiences of all ages.
emekannaka.comlivebeyondlabels.com
Instagram- @emekannaka
Twitter- @emekannaka
Facebook - Emeka Nnaka
Youtube - FromWhereiSit   


Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-3016 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0500 3734 11 full false Melissa the Coach Melissa the Coach  

How a dream to meet Elton John led to a coaching business and a book.

In this episode, Melissa Thomas talks about how she made changes in her life so she could pursue her dream of meeting Elton John. That led to a coaching business and a book. You can have a dream, but achieving that dream can be daunting. Money can be an obstacle, or it can be a tool. And what about expertise? Melissa tells how she tackled the money problem, built a coaching business teaching others what she learned, and authored her first book.
[00:01:20] “It's funny because in all of my years of growing up being an entrepreneur and owning my own company was never on any sort of bucket list that I ever wrote out. It just was one of those things of following—one step kind of led into another. But it all started way back in the day when I was 19 years old and I went to my very first Elton John concert…”
[00:03:50] Melissa tells how debt got in the way of pursuing her dream.
[00:05:40] “That was really the very first time I had to kind of take a step back and assess my financial situation and say, ‘What can we do differently?’ Because money is the thing that is standing in the way of pursuing my dream.”

[00:06:25] Just increasing your income isn’t the answer:“The problem is, if you can't manage five hundred dollars you can't manage twelve hundred dollars or thirteen hundred dollars—or however much extra money I was bringing in every month. So even though I made more money, I never learned the skills on how to manage it better.”
[00:08:52] “You’re doing it wrong.” This is the turning point.
[00:14:17] This is where reality sets in. It's one thing to know you have debt. It's another thing to look at the number on the paper staring back at you…


Melissa starts teaching what she’s learned, and one thing leads to another.

[00:17:24] I found this encouraging, because you don’t have to be a full-on expert or have a lot of credentials. You can be a little further along than a handful of other people, and teach what you know. Then you learn more, and you can teach more. As you learn new aspects of whatever it is you’re doing, you can add to what you’re teaching.
[00:20:23] “Talking about money is so taboo. Especially if you're bad with money.”
[00:25:40] Budgeting: “The reason you don't know where your money went is because you didn't tell it where to go in the first place. And that is that's the most important lesson.”

[00:32:03] Co

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]>  

How a dream to meet Elton John led to a coaching business and a book.

In this episode, Melissa Thomas talks about how she made changes in her life so she could pursue her dream of meeting Elton John. That led to a coaching business and a book. You can have a dream, but achieving that dream can be daunting. Money can be an obstacle, or it can be a tool. And what about expertise? Melissa tells how she tackled the money problem, built a coaching business teaching others what she learned, and authored her first book.
[00:01:20] “It's funny because in all of my years of growing up being an entrepreneur and owning my own company was never on any sort of bucket list that I ever wrote out. It just was one of those things of following—one step kind of led into another. But it all started way back in the day when I was 19 years old and I went to my very first Elton John concert…”
[00:03:50] Melissa tells how debt got in the way of pursuing her dream.
[00:05:40] “That was really the very first time I had to kind of take a step back and assess my financial situation and say, ‘What can we do differently?’ Because money is the thing that is standing in the way of pursuing my dream.”

[00:06:25] Just increasing your income isn’t the answer:“The problem is, if you can't manage five hundred dollars you can't manage twelve hundred dollars or thirteen hundred dollars—or however much extra money I was bringing in every month. So even though I made more money, I never learned the skills on how to manage it better.”
[00:08:52] “You’re doing it wrong.” This is the turning point.
[00:14:17] This is where reality sets in. It's one thing to know you have debt. It's another thing to look at the number on the paper staring back at you…


Melissa starts teaching what she’s learned, and one thing leads to another.

[00:17:24] I found this encouraging, because you don’t have to be a full-on expert or have a lot of credentials. You can be a little further along than a handful of other people, and teach what you know. Then you learn more, and you can teach more. As you learn new aspects of whatever it is you’re doing, you can add to what you’re teaching.
[00:20:23] “Talking about money is so taboo. Especially if you're bad with money.”
[00:25:40] Budgeting: “The reason you don't know where your money went is because you didn't tell it where to go in the first place. And that is that's the most important lesson.”

[00:32:03] Co

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-2369 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0500 2947 10 full false Terry Weaver - Making Elephants Fly Terry Weaver - Making Elephants Fly


Terry Weaver is a speaker, author, coach, podcaster, and ideapreneur. In this episode, we discuss influence, impact, and Making Elephants Fly.

terryweaver.com
twitter.com/terryweaver
instagram.com/terrytheweaver
facebook.com/terryweaver



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]]>


Terry Weaver is a speaker, author, coach, podcaster, and ideapreneur. In this episode, we discuss influence, impact, and Making Elephants Fly.

terryweaver.com
twitter.com/terryweaver
instagram.com/terrytheweaver
facebook.com/terryweaver



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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-1976 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0500 2840 9 full false Matt Ham Matt Ham

Matt Ham is a speaker, author, and storyteller. He’s a co-founder of YouPrint.life a faith development mentoring organization where he helps people uncover their mission and find where to start. In this episode, Matt shares his vision for 2018, essential questions to find your voice, and how a teachable moment for his kids turned into a teachable moment for us all.
mattham.com
youprint.life


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]]>

Matt Ham is a speaker, author, and storyteller. He’s a co-founder of YouPrint.life a faith development mentoring organization where he helps people uncover their mission and find where to start. In this episode, Matt shares his vision for 2018, essential questions to find your voice, and how a teachable moment for his kids turned into a teachable moment for us all.
mattham.com
youprint.life


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-1543 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0500 2483 8 full false Ronne Rock Ronne Rock

Ronne Rock tells stories that change stories. She is a writer, blogger, speaker, advocate, and adventurer. A former marketing and communications executive, Ronne shares her experience in creative leadership with faith-based organizations around the world.Here's the link to the questions Ronne mentions:15 Questions Every Millennial Needs to Ask to Discover Their True CallingWebsite: ronnerock.comT/IG: @ronnerockFB: facebook.com/RonneRockWrites


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]>

Ronne Rock tells stories that change stories. She is a writer, blogger, speaker, advocate, and adventurer. A former marketing and communications executive, Ronne shares her experience in creative leadership with faith-based organizations around the world.Here's the link to the questions Ronne mentions:15 Questions Every Millennial Needs to Ask to Discover Their True CallingWebsite: ronnerock.comT/IG: @ronnerockFB: facebook.com/RonneRockWrites


Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-1254 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 01:00:00 -0500 2646 7 full false Courtney Buzzell - Storytelling and Marketing Courtney Buzzell - Storytelling and Marketing

Courtney Buzzell talks about storytelling and marketing—and what it means to be authentic. Courtney owns Proximo Marketing Strategies, an international digital marketing firm based in Virginia, and CoWork Gloucester, a business incubator. She co-authored the book Brass Ovaries: Own Yours.*Connect with Courtney at proximomarketing.com Twitter: @courtbuzzell 


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]]>

Courtney Buzzell talks about storytelling and marketing—and what it means to be authentic. Courtney owns Proximo Marketing Strategies, an international digital marketing firm based in Virginia, and CoWork Gloucester, a business incubator. She co-authored the book Brass Ovaries: Own Yours.*Connect with Courtney at proximomarketing.com Twitter: @courtbuzzell 


Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-742 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 01:00:00 -0500 1390 marketing, business, sales 6 full false Mashona Council - Walking the Harriet Tubman Byway Mashona Council - Walking the Harriet Tubman Byway

In this episode, Mashona Council shares her journey and perspective on walking and calling. In September 2017 Mashona walked the 125-mile Harriet Tubman Byway. She's been serving youth and youth development organizations for years, and she owns Council Consulting LLC, where she helps non-profits, churches, and other organizations serving youth to develop the structure needed for youth development and leadership.Follow Mashona @NewGenPraiser


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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]>

In this episode, Mashona Council shares her journey and perspective on walking and calling. In September 2017 Mashona walked the 125-mile Harriet Tubman Byway. She's been serving youth and youth development organizations for years, and she owns Council Consulting LLC, where she helps non-profits, churches, and other organizations serving youth to develop the structure needed for youth development and leadership.Follow Mashona @NewGenPraiser


Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-367 Tue, 12 Dec 2017 01:00:00 -0500 2005 5 full false Michelle Discavage Michelle Discavage Michelle Discavage is a certified life purpose coach, speaker, and writer. She is well known for her honesty, insights, and wisdom. Her passion is helping women identify and live in their God-given purpose, what she refers to as a sparked life. In this episode, Michelle talks about her Bible study, Unnamed Women of the Bible, the lies we believe, and how truth can change our stories.

Michelle's web site is sparkedliving.net and you can find Unnamed Women of the Bible on Amazon.com.

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Michelle Discavage is a certified life purpose coach, speaker, and writer. She is well known for her honesty, insights, and wisdom. Her passion is helping women identify and live in their God-given purpose, what she refers to as a sparked life. In this episode, Michelle talks about her Bible study, Unnamed Women of the Bible, the lies we believe, and how truth can change our stories.

Michelle's web site is sparkedliving.net and you can find Unnamed Women of the Bible on Amazon.com.

Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-371 Sun, 03 Dec 2017 01:00:00 -0500 2995 4 full false Esther Gayfield Esther Gayfield


This week...Esther left a business career in the hospitality industry in the USA to move to Beirut to serve those impacted by the Syrian Crisis. She has volunteered at the Life Center in Bourj Hammoud - the most densely populated neighborhood in the Middle East - since January 2017 where she oversees the operations, communications and fundraising.

For more information:
Life Center BeirutEsthersAdventures.com

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]]>


This week...Esther left a business career in the hospitality industry in the USA to move to Beirut to serve those impacted by the Syrian Crisis. She has volunteered at the Life Center in Bourj Hammoud - the most densely populated neighborhood in the Middle East - since January 2017 where she oversees the operations, communications and fundraising.

For more information:
Life Center BeirutEsthersAdventures.com

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-369 Sat, 25 Nov 2017 01:00:00 -0500 2383 3 full false Missionary Journey Missionary Journey This week’s guests share about their journey as a missionary couple preparing to take their family to the middle east. They talk about culture, relationships, and how prayer and friendships keep missionaries going. To find out more or to get involved, see mapsglobal.org.

Photo by Darrell Chaddock on Unsplash

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> This week’s guests share about their journey as a missionary couple preparing to take their family to the middle east. They talk about culture, relationships, and how prayer and friendships keep missionaries going. To find out more or to get involved, see mapsglobal.org.

Photo by Darrell Chaddock on Unsplash

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-370 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 01:00:00 -0500 1509 2 full false Towera Loper Towera Loper
Towera Loper is the author of Girdle Girlfriends: Lessons Learned from Girdles on How to do Friendships. Towera shares about friendships and her journey as a first-time author. Towera Nyirenda Loper is a speaker, life coach, author, licensed minister, and guest writer for Christian Broadcasting Network’s (CBN) Spiritual Life section. A native of Zambia, she came to the United States to pursue her education, obtaining a BA, from Northpoint Bible College (formally Zion Bible Institute, Barrington, RI), Haverhill, MA and both a Masters of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry from Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA. Her life’s mission is to help people transition from information to transformation. She and her husband reside in Florida.Girdle Girlfriends: Lessons Learned from Girdles on How to do Friendships is available on iTunes and Amazon.com.

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]>
Towera Loper is the author of Girdle Girlfriends: Lessons Learned from Girdles on How to do Friendships. Towera shares about friendships and her journey as a first-time author. Towera Nyirenda Loper is a speaker, life coach, author, licensed minister, and guest writer for Christian Broadcasting Network’s (CBN) Spiritual Life section. A native of Zambia, she came to the United States to pursue her education, obtaining a BA, from Northpoint Bible College (formally Zion Bible Institute, Barrington, RI), Haverhill, MA and both a Masters of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry from Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA. Her life’s mission is to help people transition from information to transformation. She and her husband reside in Florida.Girdle Girlfriends: Lessons Learned from Girdles on How to do Friendships is available on iTunes and Amazon.com.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/-11785 Mon, 30 Oct 2017 01:00:00 -0400 1444 1 full false Preview Episode Preview Episode Welcome to the Your Voice Podcast.The Your Voice Podcast exists to help you find your voice, tell your story, and change the world. We do this by sharing interviews and tips from people who are doing just that – finding their voice, stepping out to find the stories they were meant to tell, and how they’ve made changes or overcome obstacles to change the world around them. This two-minute preview episode shares a little about three upcoming episodes.

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Welcome to the Your Voice Podcast.The Your Voice Podcast exists to help you find your voice, tell your story, and change the world. We do this by sharing interviews and tips from people who are doing just that – finding their voice, stepping out to find the stories they were meant to tell, and how they’ve made changes or overcome obstacles to change the world around them. This two-minute preview episode shares a little about three upcoming episodes.

Send me your questions

Support the show


Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

]]> Kay Helm https://yourvoicepod.castos.com/podcasts/3696/episodes/preview-episode Sun, 22 Oct 2017 19:00:00 -0400 126 bonus false