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The Polished Podcast

Christian working women, the Polished Podcast is for you. Our show will encourage and equip you to navigate the workplace and explore your faith in authentic community. Kat Armstrong, host of the Polished Podcast, amplifies diverse female voices in career-focused, Christ-centered conversations.
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Now displaying: September, 2019
Sep 26, 2019

Is it okay to take time to rest and still put in the hours in our professional and personal lives? Will everything in my life fall apart if I do? We know it can seem impossible or even wrong to stop the never-ending hustle and make time to rest our bodies and minds. Our temptation to keep going can lead to burnout for many of us though. We see it in our work, relationships and physical and mental health. Something needs to change if we want to continue to be healthy and give our all to the things that matter most to us. Today’s guest, Paula McDade, is a great example of how to practice true self-care while continuing to serve well and crush it at work. She is meeting needs and serving in her community while also taking care of herself and making time to rest. The result? She is in a healthy place to give her best effort in all areas of her life. Later in the episode, our HQ team shares their take on the idea of self care and how they practice rest in their own busy lives. 

Paula McDade is the author, licensed minister and her work is currently featured on You Version the Bible app, an international digital platform reaching millions of readers daily. She is sought after in the speaking and business arena as a creative visionary who also has a heart for people from all walks of life. If that’s is not enough, she also works at Succeeding At Work which is a nonprofit organization that helps with employment readiness skills to youth in the juvenile detention system in Dallas County.

Today's episode is sponsored by Mom's Best Friend. MBF has been serving the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex in the Nanny/Household & staffing industry for 20 years. They place highly vetted and trained Nannies and Household staff in homes. Call the Mom's Best Friend office today and mention that you heard about them on the Polished Podcast to receive 10% off your placement fee. You can call them at: 972-446-0500 or email Lindsay Rose at lindsay.rose@momsbestfriend.com

Connect With Paula  

Instagram: @officialpaulamcdade

Website: www.paulamcdade.com

Verses:

Revelation 12:11 "And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony."

Links From The Show 

No More Holding Back 

Brilliant Awakening 

The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman Podcast 

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Sep 24, 2019

Have you ever had a DTR conversation with a friend? While it still might be common to have a conversation where you define the relationship with someone you are dating, it is not necessarily a thing many of us do in our friendships. Lindsay and Lyndan didn’t let that stop them from having their own DTR convo though. These two unlikely friends are breaking the mold  with their authentic friendship and we love it. Lindsay and Lyndan have so much to say about how to build and maintain a safe and deep friendship in today’s episode. You really don’t want to miss out on hearing their inspiring friendship story today!

Lindsay is a coach’s wife, twin mom, and the Director of Development & Operations for Polished Ministries. She is passionate about the work she gets to do! With a bachelor’s degree in writing and a minor in theology from the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD, Lindsay loves that she gets to combine her skills with her work in a meaningful way.

Like many of her peers post-graduation, Lindsay struggled to find a job. She had the degree, but lacked the experience most employers wanted. After working as a personal nanny for two years and an administrative assistant at her church for several years after that, she made a transition home to care for her first baby. It didn't take long for Lindsay to realize God calling her to re-enter the workplace & serve her peers through Polished alongside Kat. She loves being a mom AND getting to work for an organization she deeply believes in.

When Lindsay isn't working, spending time with her husband, or caring for her little people (which is almost never), Lindsay enjoys reading alone, being outside, and time with her dearest friends! Lindsay and Tony live in Dallas, TX, with their 4 littles (3, 2, & 1-year-old twins).

Born and raised in Texas twig towns, Lyndan has a passion for helping others and working behind the scenes. Starting as the mail girl for a large corporation, she has braved business coaching, served as an executive assistant, and is currently Operations Manager at PyxisCare Management. 

Outside of the office, Lyndan thrives when counseling Christian teens every summer and winter break in central Texas, getting to grow with her church family in Arlington, and asking hard questions. Joining Polished Fort Worth was the perfect outlet for pouring into others while creating deep and meaningful connections to do life well - together. 

On any given evening, you can find her knee-deep in discussion with her small-group Bible study or exploring downtown Fort Worth for local food shops. She also appreciates the value of a quiet night in, cozied up with a good book, coffee in hand. She dreams of a day when I-35 is free of construction, all cars are equipped with seat warmers, and Hallmark holiday movies are acceptable year round.

Today's episode is sponsored by Mom's Best Friend. MBF has been serving the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex in the Nanny/Household & staffing industry for 20 years. They place highly vetted and trained Nannies and Household staff in homes. Call the Mom's Best Friend office today and mention that you heard about them on the Polished Podcast to receive 10% off your placement fee. You can call them at: 972-446-0500 or email Lindsay Rose at lindsay.rose@momsbestfriend.com

Connect With Lindsay

Instagram: @lindsay_benedetto

Connect With Lyndan

Instagram: @itsmelyndie

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Sep 19, 2019

Why does it take a moment of desperation to send us to our knees in prayer? Sadly, it’s true. The thing is, God is always accessible, hears our prayers no matter how broken, and he wants to see good things happen in our lives. We can approach him anytime we need help, not just when we are desperate. As we talk to Debreon Davis about building authentic community we realized that part of growing a community of people we can love and love us in return will necessitate prayer. God, bring us the right women in our lives.

Debreon Davis is currently the principal at Edmond North High School. Debreon grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma and attended college at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and the University of Central Oklahoma where she played basketball and studied Psychology. After graduating from college she went back to her high school alma mater, Edmond Santa Fe High School, where she taught Business classes, coached girls basketball and was the student council sponsor. During this time Debreon was also active with her church, serving as a sponsor for the youth group and children's ministry. Debreon then became an Assistant Principal at Memorial High School where she worked for 5 years with various grade levels, building strong relationships with students and teachers with a strong focus on curriculum development. Debreon started volunteering with YoungLife and developed numerous relationships mentoring young ladies throughout their high school and college years. Debreon is now in her third year as the head principal at Edmond North High School, doing what she loves the most - leading and loving our teenagers. Debreon and her family are active members of the Edmond and Oklahoma City community and believe in the importance of servant leadership. Debreon went through the OKC SALLT Young Leaders class in 2017-2018 and cherished the relationships built and challenge to love and serve our community. In 2017 Debreon was the recipient of the National Milken Educator Award, known as the “Oscars of Teaching”. This award is unique in that educators do not apply for or know when they have been nominated, the Milken Foundation finds its candidates and surprises them in school assemblies across the nation each year. Earlier this year, Debreon received the President's Award from the Edmond Public Schools Foundation for her commitment to excellence in education and high levels of learning for all students. Debreon is a women who is passionate about life and the importance of loving everyone we encounter.

Today's episode is sponsored by Mom's Best Friend. MBF has been serving the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex in the Nanny/Household & staffing industry for 20 years. They place highly vetted and trained Nannies and Household staff in homes. Call the Mom's Best Friend office today and mention that you heard about them on the Polished Podcast to receive 10% off your placement fee. You can call them at: 972-446-0500 or email Lindsay Rose at lindsay.rose@momsbestfriend.com

Connect With Debreon  

Twitter: @DebreonDavis

Links From The Show 

Walter Brueggeman: Sabbath as Resistance 

Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton

Emily P. Freeman's Podcast 

Verses:

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."

1 Timothy 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him"

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Sep 17, 2019

Have you ever felt lonely despite being surrounded by tons of people? Maybe you are sitting at your desk with co-workers all around you, in the middle of happy hour with friends, or cooking dinner for your family and you have that moment where you just feel alone. We are rarely ever physically alone in today’s hyper-connected world and yet, we often feel like we are missing out on the meaningful connections that make us feel seen, heard and loved. Craving connection with those around her, Kristin Schell built a community at a turquoise table right in her front yard. Her story will encourage you to build authentic relationships and show up for others right where you are. You’ll also catch up with our HQ team later on in the episode and hear how some of their closest friends have showed up for them throughout their lives.

Kristin Schell is on a mission to love her neighbors. She put a picnic table in her front yard, painted it turquoise, and began inviting neighbors, friends, and even strangers, to hang out and do life together at The Turquoise Table. 

A new concept of hospitality unfolded in her neighborhood, and before long The Turquoise Table led to a movement of Front Yard People—ordinary people who long to create community right where they live.

Today there are thousands of Turquoise Tables all across America from California to Maine. In all fifty states and thirteen countries, Turquoise Tables have become a symbol of hospitality, a safe place to sit down and connect over a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea.

As founder of the Turquoise Table and Front Yard People movement, Kristin travels the country speaking at conferences and events with an encouraging word on how to open our lives and homes to others. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Tony, and their four children.

Kristin’s book The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard (HarperCollins Christian Publishing) is available where ever books are sold.

Connect With Kristin 

Instagram: @kristinkschell

Website: theturquoisetable.com

Verses:

Mark 12:31 "The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Links from the show:

Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship Direction by David Brenner 

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Sep 12, 2019

Is the Bible really relevant today? This is a real question for many of us in a world that can seem very different than the one the Bible was written in. And even if we do believe its relevant, many of us have a complicated relationship with the Bible and maybe even those who say they love it. If these questions resonate with you, you will not want to miss today’s episode with Lauren McAfee. Lauren has dedicated much of her life to researching why people, especially millennials, feel disconnected from the Bible and why it really is relevant today. That’s right. The Bible really is applicable in our current lives.  Later on in the episode, our HQ team shares why they believe the Bible is relevant in their own lives.

Lauren Green McAfee works at the Hobby Lobby corporate office, and is the author of Only One Life (Zondervan, 2018) and Not What You Think (Zondervan, 2019). She is a speaker, connector, and coffee enthusiast and is currently pursuing a PhD in Ethics and Public Policy with Dr. Russell Moore as her supervisor.

Prior to her role with Hobby Lobby, Lauren worked for her father Steve Green as he founded Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. During her time at the Museum, she served as Curator, Artifact Collection Manager, and Director of Community Engagement. While working at Museum of the Bible, Lauren finished two graduate degrees; a Master of Arts in pastoral counseling and a Master of Arts in theological studies. Lauren and her husband Michael live in Oklahoma City and enjoy reading and traveling together.

Connect With Lauren  

Instagram: @laurenamcafee

Website: laurenamcafee

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Sep 10, 2019

Do you ever wonder how to be authentic on social media? Let’s be honest. Social media and authenticity do not typically go together. In a world where we simply show a highly filtered highlight reel, the full story of our lives is often tucked far away from the Instagram world. And yet, sometimes we want to break through the curated scroll of perfection and show a little more of our true selves. Today’s guest, Chandler Hatchett felt this very desire and to her surprise, her authenticity resonated with her followers more than her typical posts. Chandler even found her online community to be a real sense of support through hard times in her life. Her take on our September theme of building authentic community will give you some hope in the often crazy world of social media. Wonder how what being authentic on social media looks like for you? Yeah, us too! Thankfully, Kat, Lindsay and Feleceia discuss what our relationship with being authentic on social media can look like as young professional women. 

Chandler is an author, speaker and blogger here in Dallas, TX. She is also the founder and editor in chief of The H is For..., a media center and lifestyle brand that serves to encourage, inspire and equip women to live well in all aspects of life. Chandler believes that faith and wellness go hand in hand and is passionate about the modern woman and equipping her to be the best version of herself. She’s the author of A Proverb A Day - a month long devotional through the book of Proverbs, and her upcoming devotional 'Outfit of the Day - 40 Days of Getting Dressed in Truth' launches in October. Her favorite roles, however, are wife to Franklin and mom to Brooks (4) and Ainsley (1).

Connect With Chandler  

Instagram: @chandler.hatchett

Website: thehisfor

Links From The Show 

Camp Well

The Christian Life is the lifelong practice of attending to the details of congruence—congruence b/w ends and means, congruence b/w what we do and the way we do it, congruence b/w what is written in the scripture and our living out what is written, congruence b/w the a ship and it’s prow, congruence b/w preaching and living, congruence b/w sermon and what is lived in both preacher and congregation, the congruence of the word made flesh in Jesus with what is lived in our flesh.” Eugene Peterson, As kingfishers catch fire

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Sep 5, 2019

 Have you ever thought about what makes a really good friend? We all want them! But sometimes it can just be hard to know what to look for in a friendship. That’s why we are so grateful Dani shares about what she looks for in a friend and how her community keeps showing up for her in the midst of hard decisions. As a single mom, Dani knows how important it is to have strong and authentic relationships in her life. Later in the episode, Lindsay and Feleceia join Kat to talk about the friends in their lives who tell them the hard truth about themselves or a situation. We know. Those conversations are not the most fun to have with our closest friends, but they can sure be super helpful for us and our growth. You really don’t want to miss this episode on what authentic friendships really look like! 

 

Dani is an HR Manager where she leads the recruiting, employee engagement and retention initiatives for hourly team members.   A native New Yorker who calls Houston home, Dani is passionate about serving deep in her community.  She co-leads a Be the Bridge group that is dedicated to advocating and promoting diversity, inclusion, racial justice, restoration and reconciliation.  She recently strapped on her boots and volunteers with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, HR Houston Gives Back, as well as her church family, Bayou City Fellowship. When Dani first attended Polished as a guest, she remembered feeling an instant connection to exploring life, faith and work with a diverse group of professional women.  Thrilled to dive in, Dani is now serving as the Co-Director of Polished Houston – Inner Loop with Kelsey and could not be more excited. Dani is a Mom to Ethan, the coolest teenager she knows, an avid curator of good music, and a traveler.  At any given time she can be found searching for coffee, tacos, a place to hike and the score of the game. 

Connect with Dani 

Instagram: @dani_gantt

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Sep 3, 2019

We know. EVERYONE is talking about the Enneagram. Maybe you are about all things  enneagram or maybe you are ready to roll your eyes if someone even dares to bring it up one more time. In the midst of all of the enneagram buzz, Jenn’s perspective on using the Enneagram as a tool for gaining clarity in your professional relationships is both insightful and refreshing. And let’s be real. Who doesn’t need some practical advice for how to have stronger and more peaceful relationships with our co-workers and all of the other important people in our lives? Jenn’s conversation with  Kat will help you understand the Enneagram in new ways and maybe even redeem it for you if you are totally over it.

Jett is a dreamer, a doer and a champion of risk takers. When she is not running her design business, she is encouraging & unleashing women through a gathering she hosts twice a year in Colorado called Camp Well – a place where dreamers and doers who are weary and overwhelmed can come and be reminded of who God created them to be, and walk confidently in their calling. Think summer camp for adults! Her personal story is one of redemption and hope and her desire is that through that story others would find freedom.

Her discovery and understanding of the Enneagram, in light of Gods Word, has been a powerful tool in her life that has helped her uncover and find confidence in her true God designed self.

Connect with Jenn 

Instagram: @jenn_jett

Website: Jennjett.com

Camp Well

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