🎧 Episode 250: Life Hacks   Simple habits. Real results. Sustainable change.   Let’s be honest—we all want life to feel a little easier 😅In this milestone episode, we’re sharing practical life hacks that actually work when it comes to nutrition, movement, mindset, faith, and daily planning. No gimmicks. No extremes. Just small, consistent choices that add up over time.   🥗 Nutrition & Eating Habits Hacks Fuel your body without feeling deprived 👇 🥩 Prioritize Protein & FiberThese keep you fuller longer, reduce overeating, and help preserve muscle.Hack: Add a palm-sized portion of lean protein to every meal and snack.   🐢 Eat Mindfully & SlowlyYour brain needs ~20 minutes to recognize fullness.Slow down. Chew. Put the fork down. Turn off the TV. 💧 Stay HydratedThirst often disguises itself as hunger.Hack: Drink a glass of water before meals. Swap soda and juice for water, seltzer, or unsweetened tea/coffee. 🥦 Reduce Processed Foods & Refined CarbsFocus on whole foods: fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats. 🍕 Plan “Cheat” Meals (On Purpose!)Intentional indulgence supports long-term consistency. Progress beats perfection.   🚶‍♀️ Activity & Lifestyle Hacks Movement matters—and it doesn’t have to be extreme 💪 👟 Increase Daily MovementWeight loss requires a calorie deficit.Hack: Add 2,000–3,000 steps a day—park farther away, take the stairs, stand while on the phone. 🏋️ Incorporate Strength TrainingMuscle boosts your resting metabolism.Aim for resistance training at least twice a week. 😴 Prioritize SleepPoor sleep increases cravings and hunger hormones.Adults need 7+ hours of quality sleep (hello, sleep wrinkles 👀). 📊 Track ProgressAccountability works—even when we don’t love it.Track food, weight, or progress photos.Apps like MyFitnessPal or support from a personal trainer (shoutout Lindy!) can help. ⚖️ Weigh Daily (Yes, We Said It)We hate it too—but studies show daily weigh-ins improve accountability and long-term success.   📝 Planning & Productivity Hacks Structure creates freedom ✨ 📋 Make a Plan for the NEXT DayWrite a simple to-do list.Anything unfinished rolls to tomorrow.(Old-school wisdom courtesy of Dad ❤️)   📖 Faith Hack (The Most Important One) Spiritual health fuels everything else 🙏 🕊 Prioritize God’s WordCreate a Divine Appointment space in your home—Bible, notebook, quiet time.Set a specific time to meet with God daily. 📖 Proverbs 21:5 (NIV)“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”   🔁 The Ultimate Life Hack Consistency.Small, faithful choices—done daily—compound into massive change over time. ⚠️ Always consult your healthcare provider before starting a new diet or exercise routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions. 🎧 Bonus Hack:While you’re putting these life hacks into action… listen to this podcast 😉Motivation + movement = a win.

🎙️ Episode 248: The Color of Rain – Making Sense of Life When Life Doesn’t Make Sense Life doesn’t always line up neatly with our expectations. Sometimes it pours… and sometimes that rain washes in unexpected color. 🌧️ ➡️ 🌈 In this deeply moving episode, Tracy & Cathrine open the door to honest conversations about loss, hope, grief, healing, and the God who walks with us through every storm. 💛 ☔ 1. Gina & Michael’s Story — Beauty Born from Brokenness We begin by sharing the powerful true story of Gina Kell and Michael Spehn, whose losses collided and created a new beginning. Their journey—from unthinkable grief to unexpected hope—invites all of us to see that God can bring color even after the darkest storm. 🌦️❤️ 💔 2. Our Own Stories: When Grief Showed Up in Our Lives Tracy & Cathrine get vulnerable as we share: Seasons where life made zero sense 😣 Moments we were pretty sure God had left the chat (He hadn’t) 🙃 How God faithfully met us—gently, quietly, and powerfully—right in the middle of our tears 💛 These real-life stories remind every listener that grief is not a sign of weakness—it’s an invitation for God to draw near. 📖 3. What the Bible Says About Seasons of Grief and Loss — A Visit with Job Since we’re both marinating in Job these days 🧂📘, we take a deeper dive into: Why Job’s suffering felt endless and confusing How his friends said ALL the wrong things (we all know a friend like that… 🙄) The emotional honesty Job brought before God The truth that God never abandoned him, even in silence The restoration God brought after the season of suffering Job teaches us that grief is not a detour—it’s part of the human story, and God sits in the ashes with us. 🪵🔥 ✨ Scripture We Lean Into 📖 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”A reminder that God is always doing something new—even when we can’t see it yet. 🌱 📖 Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Our anchor in times when we don’t know which way is up. 🧭 🌈 💛 CTA: Lean into Peace. Trust God in the Storm. Enjoy your seasons of peace fully ☀️And when seasons of suffering come—trust the Lord.He will see you through. 🙏💛🌈

🎙️ Episode 247: Digital Hygiene — Protecting Yourself in a Digital World Life Happens Laugh Anyway Podcast In today’s episode, Tracy & Cathrine break down digital hygiene—what it is, why it matters, and how to avoid becoming besties with the scammers in your inbox. We’re talking malware, fake bills, AI scams, passwords, social media safety, AND the Bible. Because Jesus loves you, but those scammers do not. 🙃 🔐 What Is Digital Hygiene? (Simple Definitions) Digital Hygiene: Good online habits that keep you safe. Malware: Bad software that harms or steals from your device. Ransomware: Malware that locks your stuff until you pay. Phishing: Fake messages pretending to be real to steal info. Data Breach: When your private info gets exposed or stolen. Antivirus: Software that finds and removes digital threats. Two-Step Authentication: A double lock on your accounts. 🛡️ 1. Slow Down & Examine the Source Scammers thrive on urgency. AI makes their messages look legit.Look for:✔ Weird email addresses✔ Strange spelling✔ Links that look “off”✔ “Pay immediately” or “final notice” vibes Biblical Wisdom:“The prudent see danger and take refuge.” — Proverbs 22:3Wisdom starts with slowing down. 🔍 2. Don’t Trust Appearance — Test It AI can fake voices, logos, bills… basically everything except common sense.Before you click or pay:✔ Verify on the official site✔ Use phone numbers you look up yourself✔ Compare to past statements Biblical Wisdom:“Test everything; hold fast to what is good.” — 1 Thess. 5:21 🤝 3. Protect Each Other, Not Just Yourself Scams isolate people. Community protects people.Encourage your listeners to:✔ Ask trusted people before paying strange bills✔ Help older relatives with technology✔ Share warnings about new scams Biblical Wisdom:“Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” — Phil. 2:4 🔐 Practical Cyber Safety Habits (Non-Negotiables) 🔒 Use strong, unique passwords 🧩 Use a password manager 🔄 Enable automatic software updates 🚫 Don’t share personal info on social media (address, phone, travel plans) 👤 Don’t accept friend requests from strangers 🛑 Don’t click links from unknown senders 🔑 Turn on two-step authentication for everything 💻 Install antivirus & run regular scans 🌱 Long-Term Benefits of Good Digital Hygiene Protects your identity Keeps your devices healthy Reduces your risk of scams Keeps your data safe Gives you peace of mind (and fewer panic attacks at 11pm over a sketchy email) 📖 Spiritual Takeaway Digital discernment matters.Wisdom, patience, and community are God’s tools for navigating modern scams.Protecting yourself online is another way to walk wisely. 🎧 CTA (Call to Action) This week’s challenge:👉 Before clicking ANY link… stop, breathe, and verify.Bonus points: Help someone else avoid a scam.  

🎙️ Episode 246: Kitchen Remodeling Dos and Don’ts 👯‍♀️ Cathrine’s Pros & Cons ✅ Pros Stick to a budget - even if you go over by a little 🤩 Invest in Consumer Reports (it will save you money in the long run)💰 Do what you want 😉 ❌ Cons Budget creep is REAL 😬 Dust… everywhere… forever… 😵‍💫 Decision fatigue: “Do we want matte, satin, or eggshell?” 😵 😂 Tracy’s Pros & Cons ✅ Pros A kitchen that looks like grown-ups live there 🙌 Organization heaven — A coffee bar and spices where you need them 🥲 Corner grate thingy to dry dishrag from Amazon for my sink  😍 Everything has its place… which means less yelling “WHO TOOK MY SPATULA?” 🍴 ❌ Cons Budget restraints meant sacrifices 🥸 Living without a kitchen = character development 😒 Having to make 1,000 decisions while hungry 🍕 🧰 Tip From Our Sponsor “Don’t rely on the contractor just because he’s the expert.” Just because they’ve done 100 kitchens doesn’t mean1️⃣ They know your taste2️⃣ They understand your workflow3️⃣ They have to live with the results 👀 Ask questions, double-check plans, get details in writing, and don’t be afraid to speak up. 🗣️✨ 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Do’s and Don’ts From Others (Using the CabinetNow / ChatGPT top 10 common renovation mistakes list as inspiration) ✅ DOs Do set a realistic timeline — double it if you want to stay sane ⏳ Do measure EVERYTHING twice (and then still expect something to be off) 📏 Do prioritize storage — future you will thank you 🙏 Do plan for outlets — your air fryer, mixer, blender, and toaster need homes ⚡ Do think long-term — trendy today, dated tomorrow 🤷‍♀️ ❌ DON’Ts Don’t skip the budget cushion — unexpected expenses are basically guaranteed 💸 Don’t choose style over function — pretty means nothing if it doesn’t work 👎 Don’t ignore lighting — kitchens need layers 💡 Don’t cheap out on hardware — these little suckers matter 🎯 Don’t forget the workflow — beauty + usability = kitchen bliss 😍 📖 Scripture of the Episode Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” ✨ A great reminder that God does renovations too — in our homes and our hearts. 🙌 👉 CTA (Call to Action) 🎯 Have a budget before you start!Not a “soft idea.” Not a “general number.” A real, honest, sit-down-and-do-the-math budget.Then add 10–20% because kitchens love surprises. 😅 P.S. BONUS - Not only will you get to enjoy your kitchen today, but typically a kitchen remodel does add value to your home for resale value. You should expect to get between 50-80% of your investment back (or your kids will) Ha ha. ;0)

🎙️ Episode 244: Finding Strength in Weakness 💡 Main Takeaways:1️⃣ Weakness Isn’t Failure, It’s an Invitation – God doesn’t shame your struggles; He uses them to draw you closer. 🙌2️⃣ Weakness Keeps Us Dependent on God – When life feels too heavy, it’s a reminder to lean on the One who carries it all. 🤲3️⃣ Weakness ≠ Worthlessness – Your weakness is not your identity; it’s a doorway to God’s grace. 💗 🧭 Call to Action:This week, notice one area of weakness — worry, patience, self-control — and instead of shame, pray:👉 “God, show Your strength here.”Then thank Him when you see His power at work. ✨ 📖 Verse of the Week: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) 💬 Closing Thought:When you feel weak — physically, emotionally, or spiritually — remember: that’s where God’s strength shines brightest. 💪 Life happens, but we can laugh anyway because He’s strong when we’re not. 🌤️

🎙️ Episode 243: “Friend… or Foe?” The Dangers of AI Relationships✨ If you had told us back in the 1980s that our imaginary friends would one day be in our pockets....UMMMMMMM No! 💡 Today’s Topic: AI Friendships and Relationships — When Technology Feels a Little Too Friendly! 👩‍💻 From wearable “Friend” devices to chatbot companions, people are forming emotional bonds with artificial intelligence. But what happens when a “fake friend” starts taking the place of faith and real human connection? In this episode, Tracy dives deep — with humor, honesty, and biblical wisdom — into the rise of AI “relationships” and what it means for our souls. Cathrine also packs a punch with plenty of wit and research! 🧠 Key Talking Points: The “Friend Necklace” Phenomenon 💬 Exploring AI companionship and why it’s so appealing. It remembers your details, comforts you, and never argues… but is that really a friendship? Job’s Story & God’s Gift of Free Will 🙏 Tracy reflects on how God trusted Job to choose faith — even when life hurt. True love and faith can’t be programmed. God values FREE WILL, not artificial devotion. The Negative Effects of AI Friendships 💔 Fake companionship can deepen loneliness and depression. It gives the illusion of connection without the substance of relationship. God designed us for real people — to sharpen, encourage, and comfort each other (Proverbs 27:17). 🔹 Humor moment: “AI doesn’t judge you… but it also won't rescue you when a set of vintage lockers falls on top of you!” 😂 #true story! The Dangerous Allure of “Memory” 🧠💔 The fact that AI remembers your details makes it feel human. But it can subtly replace prayer and faith conversations. Instead of turning to God for comfort, we may start turning to a machine. 🔹 Humor moment: “If your prayer life sounds suspiciously like you’re talking to Alexa… it’s time to reboot your soul.” 😂 ✝️ Faith Truth: God doesn’t just understand us...He knows us, heals us, and redeems us. 💖 He did create us afterall! AI can simulate empathy, but only the Holy Spirit can transform a heart. 🚀 Call to Action: “Phone a Human Friend” Challenge! 👭 Pick one of these and do it today:📞 Call or visit a real friend.💬 Check on someone who’s been quiet.🙏 Pray with an actual person — no screens, no apps, just presence.✨ Feel the joy of real connection — the way God designed it. 💬 Closing Inspiration: “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”— Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV) 🤖 AI can listen, but it can’t lift you up.God’s design for healing is human connection — powered by love, laughter, and His presence. 💞

🎙️ Episode 242: Ministry — Why It’s Worth It! 💡 Feeling burnt out or discouraged in ministry? You’re not alone — and you’re in the right place. In this episode, we unpack why ministry is worth it even when it’s messy, exhausting, and unseen. We just came off a 3½-day ministry retreat 🏕️ full of laughter, worship, and divine moments (plus a few hilarious behind-the-scenes stories 🤪). That time away reminded us that ministry is not just what we do — it’s who we are in Christ. ✝️ I. Ministry = Service Ministry means serving others out of love and obedience to Jesus. ❤️We share stories from our retreat about using our gifts — from hospitality and encouragement to prayer and leadership — all for God’s glory. 🙌 💬 Key takeaway: Every act of service matters, whether it’s preaching, praying, or disposing of rotten veggies... God sees it all. 😅 II. The Challenges Are Real Let’s be honest… ministry can be messy because people are messy!From burnout and long hours to spiritual warfare and personality clashes 😬 — the struggles are real. But Scripture reminds us:📖 “Love one another deeply, from the heart.” — 1 Peter 1:22 💬 Key takeaway: When ministry feels hard, love harder. That’s where Jesus shows up. 🕊️ III. Ministry Is Worth It Even through the challenges, the joy of seeing lives changed, hearts lifted, and the Holy Spirit move makes it all worth it. 💖 📖 “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9📖 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 💬 Key takeaway: The reward isn’t in the recognition — it’s in the transformation. 🎯 CTA: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts You are called. You are equipped. You are needed. 💪Find out how God wired you to serve with a free assessment below:👉 lifeway.com/en/articles/women-leadership-spiritual-gifts-growth-service 💬 Listener Challenge Ask God this week: “Where can I serve — even in small ways — to show Your love to someone else?”Then take action. ❤️   Hugs, Tracy and Cathrine

Greetings Humor Consumers! In this powerful yet hilariously honest episode, Tracy and Cathrine dive into cancer screenings and early detection—a topic most people avoid, ignore, or delay. Tracy opens with her personal breast cancer survival story involving an oncologist, radiation, and a possible perk: a higher, tighter boob. 😂 From there, the conversation gets real about why cancer screenings matter and how early detection saves lives. Whether you’re overdue for a mammogram, avoiding a colonoscopy out of dread, or you don’t even know what screenings you need at your age—this episode is your friendly (faith-filled) wake-up call. 💗🎀 🔎 In This Episode: Tracy’s breast cancer story: raw, real, and funny Why staying current on cancer screenings matters The top cancer screenings by age (simple checklist!) Why people procrastinate medical tests (and how to stop) How caring for your health honors God Your challenge: schedule ONE overdue screening today! 🩺 Cancer Screening Checklist (Quick Guide) Cancer Type Screening Start Age Breast Cancer Mammogram 40+ Cervical Cancer Pap + HPV 21–65 Colon Cancer Colonoscopy or FIT 45+ Lung Cancer Low-dose CT 50–80 (smokers/former smokers) Prostate Cancer PSA blood test 50 (or earlier if high risk) Skin Cancer Yearly dermatologist exam All adults Oral Cancer Dental screening High-risk adults Ovarian, Pancreatic, Liver High-risk only Talk to your doctor Testicular Self-exam Men 15–44 ✝️ Scripture in This Episode “Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… honor God with your bodies.”— 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV) “No one hates their own body but takes care of it…”— Ephesians 5:29 (NIV) 🎯 Call to Action 📅 Book ONE screening today. Stop waiting for a “better time.”Screenshot your appointment and tag us: #LaughingThroughScreenings 🔗 Resources Mentioned American Cancer Society screening guidelines CDC early detection resources 💬 Connect With Us Follow the show and never miss an episode!🌐 Website: LifeHappensLaughAnywayPodcast.com📧 Email us: tracy@tracydegraaf.com Please follow, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people with hope and truth through humor! 💛

🎙️ Episode 240: Unknown Number — The High School Catfish Description:In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine dive into the shocking true story behind Netflix’s Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. It’s the kind of story that makes you say, “Wait… WHAT?!” — a case so twisted and heartbreaking it feels like fiction. But it’s all real. We’ll unpack the wildest details, share what surprised us most, and talk about what this story reveals about human nature, deception, and spiritual alertness. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about a catfish — it’s about what happens when darkness disguises itself in plain sight. 🕵️‍♀️ Episode Highlights Summary of the Documentary:A small-town Michigan story that spiraled from anonymous bullying texts into one of the most bizarre catfishing cases ever — and the truth no one saw coming. Most Shocking Moments: The “outsider mom” who struggled to fit in. The overcompensation — volunteering, coaching, inserting herself deeply in school life. Her close, almost second-mom relationship with her daughter’s boyfriend, Owen. The staggering discovery that the tormenter was inside the house all along. The Investigation Unfolds: A few key people — including Kloe’s family — grew suspicious early on. Kendra constantly on her phone, juggling two devices. The doc leaves out some local efforts to expose the bully before law enforcement cracked the case. The Aftermath: Lauryn reportedly grew suspicious of her own mom before the truth came out. Despite it all, Lauryn and Kendra have maintained some form of relationship. Kendra didn’t serve her full sentence — released August 2024, now on supervised release until February 2027. ✝️ Scripture of the Episode “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) This verse reminds us that deception rarely shows up wearing horns — it usually comes disguised as something trustworthy, familiar, or even well-intentioned. 💡 Takeaway Stay alert — not anxious, but aware. Evil operates quietly when we stop paying attention.God calls us to live with discernment, grounded in His Word, anchored in truth, and guided by love. 🙌 Call to Action This week, let’s live out 1 Peter 5:8. Ask God to help you stay spiritually alert. Pay attention to the small “red flags” He puts in your path. And share this episode with a friend who loves a good true story with a deeper meaning. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in.👉 Connect with us: tracy@tracydegraaf.com💬 Tell us: Have you ever been catfished — online or emotionally? We’d love to hear your story!

🎙️ Episode 237 Show Notes Brain Health: Laugh, Learn & Remember Where You Left Your Keys Ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you’re there? Or spent 10 minutes looking for your glasses… while they were on your head? Yep, us too. 😂 In this episode, we dive into the fascinating (and funny) world of brain health for women over 50. The good news? God designed our brains to be renewed—and there are practical things we can do to keep them strong, sharp, and full of joy. Join us in the podlab as we talk about:✅ Why stress shrinks your memory (and how laughter heals it)✅ How sleep is like your brain’s nightly housekeeping crew✅ Everyday habits that literally grow new brain cells✅ 10 surprising brain health facts you probably didn’t know✅ And of course… our own hilarious “brain fog” stories that will make you feel a whole lot better about your zipper, your keys, and your fridge. 💡 Scripture of the Episode: Romans 12:2 — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” 🎧 Whether you’re looking for tips to improve memory, lower stress, or just laugh your way through menopause brain, this episode is for you. ✨ Episode Takeaways Stress can shrink your memory, but laughter, prayer, and gratitude help protect it. Sleep is your brain’s fuel—skip it and you skip the cleanup your brain desperately needs. Healthy habits like movement, diet, learning, hydration and connection can keep your brain sharper at any age. 🙌 Call to Action This week, pick one brain-healthy habit to focus on—better sleep, less stress, or a fun new brain challenge. Then share your funniest “brain fog” moment with us! We’d love to laugh with you and maybe share it on the next episode. Email your comments to tracy@tracydegraaf.com  

🎧 Episode 236: A Look into the Amish Culture First of all....A GIANT thank you to our friend and Humor Contributor Karren who suggested we take a look at today's topic. We ❤️ your suggestions, so if you're reading this...and I think you are...send your ideas to Tracy@tracydegraaf.com. What documentary have you watched lately that made you go Hmmmmm? What hot topic would you like to hear us discuss? We want to know.    Now, back to the episode... What's up with the Amish? 😱 And what can their way of life teach us about our own walk with Christ? In this episode, we take a closer look at the Amish culture — their faith, their separation from the world, and how we should or more importantly shouldn't think about such groups. We’ll explore: 1. Who Are the Amish? Origins: breakaway from Mennonites in the 1600s. Core values: simplicity, humility, obedience, community. Separation from “the world” (why no cars, electricity, etc.). 3. Review of several documentaries about the Amish Affirmation of Jesus as Savior, Son of God, crucified and risen. Faith tied to obedience and daily living, not just personal conversion. Community over individualism. Nonresistance and taking the Sermon on the Mount literally. Baptism as an adult decision to follow Christ. 4. Our own experiences with Amish Cathrine's time working at the Fishermans Wife and in Michigan Me - I’ve been to an Amish restaurant and furniture store 5. Fun Facts: How Amish Are YOU quiz.  📖 Scripture of the Episode:Romans 12:2 (NIV) — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” ✅ Takeaway: The Amish challenge us to reflect on how we live out our faith in today’s world. 🎯 Call to Action: Don’t jump to judgment with other religions because we all fall short. Instead, let’s approach others with humility and grace.

Note: Tracy has two upcoming church comedy events in the Chicago Area: Sept 20 in Monee, IL and Sept 26 in Orland Hills, IL. Grab your tickets now and come say Hi. ;) If you would like to invite Tracy and Cathrine to your church, email tracy@tracydegraaf.com. Now, back to the show... Reality TV isn’t reality—and The Biggest Loser proves it. Join Tracy and Cathrine as they recap the three-part documentary Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser. From crawling over the finish line to doughnut-on-the-floor challenges, they discuss the outrageous moments, the emotional cost of extreme weight loss, and how humor helps us survive the absurdity. Plus, personal stories from both hosts about lifelong weight struggles, the emotional marination behind excess weight, and the lessons God teaches us about grace, perspective, and resilience. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How reality shows manipulate drama and entertainment over genuine health. Why emotional health is crucial in any weight journey. How humor and faith help us process life’s absurdities and setbacks. Spiritual Inspiration: 1 Samuel 16:7 – God sees the heart, not the scale. Listener Challenge: Laugh at something absurd in your week, reflect on your “reality vs. reality TV” moments, and take one healthy step toward emotional or physical well-being. THANK YOU to all Humor Contributors who allow this podcast to exist. If you would like to crossover from Humor Consumer to Humor Contributor....it's just $5 per month to bring a little more laughter into the world. Go here to sponsor the show. 

🎙 Episode 234: Mood Music – How to Let Songs Shape Your Day Is it possible to choose your mood by choosing your music? 🤗 Absolutely. In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine dive into the power of music to shift your emotions, calm your mind, energize your body, and even deepen your connection with God. 🎶 We’ll share: How we personally use music for everything from workouts to worship to road trips. Cathrine shares a touching story about how music ministered to her and her mom in mom's final moments. Tracy shares how music helps her connect with God and how it helped during a season of grief 💡 3 Big Takeaways: Music can calm your heart and mind — powerful for stress, anxiety, or grief. Music can energize and sharpen your focus — perfect for work, driving, or workouts. Music can carry you through emotions into worship and prayer — connecting your heart to God. 📚 Science Spotlight:Did you know there’s a song called Weightless by Marconi Union that was scientifically designed with sound therapists to slow your heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce cortisol (your stress hormone)? In tests, it lowered stress by up to 65% — more than most people get from tea or a bubble bath. 📖 Scripture of the Episode:"Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp." — Psalm 147:7 (NIV) Music is more than entertainment. It’s God’s idea—woven into the Bible over 800 times—and it can be a way to pray, to give thanks, and to steady your heart in every season. 🎵 Featured Song Recommendation:Red Sea Road by Ellie Holcomb – a reminder that God makes a way when there seems to be no way. ✅ Listener Challenge:Today, use music intentionally—whether to lift your mood, calm your heart, or focus your mind. Play it while you walk, pray, clean, or work. Then tell us how it impacted your day!

🎙️ Episode 231: Why In-Person Connection Matters 🤝🏽💬💒 Today we're talking about the POWER of showing up—literally.Whether it's a hug, a hospital visit, or just coffee across the table—face-to-face connection matters more than ever. Here’s what you’ll hear: 1️⃣ The Late Dr. Charles Stanley said connection isn’t optional—it’s vital. Cathrine shares how his words shaped her view of relationships. 👨🏽‍⚕️📚 2️⃣ Tracy breaks down a powerful 2023 study showing that in-person connection boosted happiness way more than video chats or texts. Zoom has its place, but our brains want the real deal! 🧠❤️📖 Link to study: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34957-4 3️⃣ Intentional connection—we get real about making time:👩🏼‍💻 Our bestie Bible study is on Zoom—but we still meet up IRL!🎗️ Tracy’s dad showed up during cancer.🏥 Cathrine is showing up for Emily today.💞 Lynn got a real-life hug.🩺 Cathrine keeps it personal with in-person doctor visits. 💡 Inspiration from Scripture: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another…”— Hebrews 10:24–25 📖 🙌 Call to Action: Who do you need to connect with in person today?📅 Make the plan.🕰️ Invest the time.💙 Connect with the Lord—and with people. You’ll both be better for it. Laugh Anyway. 🤗😂