Renee Swope Podcast: Girls' Club Book Series!

Renee Swope

“Love challenges the tyrannical finality of loneliness.”

~ Girls’ Club

I met my sweet friend, Renee Swope, several years ago. Gentle and loving are the words I would use to describe her. Renee has encouraged and ministered to women from her desire to really support and encourage them. I know you will feel sympathy with her heart in the thoughts she shares on my podcast today.

She describes herself as:  Word-lover, heart-encourager and grace-needer. Wife of 25 years, mom of three (ranging from 10-23), former radio co-host and executive director of Proverbs 31 Ministries and best-selling author of A Confident Heart and A Confident Heart Devotional

I so enjoyed our conversation and I know you will, too!

You can find Renee here:

https://www.ReneeSwope.com 

https://www.facebook.com/aconfidentheart

http://www.instagram.com/reneeswope 

Did you get your own copies of Girls’ Club and Girls’ Club Experience, yet? Find them here!

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson

Erin Loechner Podcast: Girls' Club Book Series!

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“Godly friendships are not just a luxury but a necessity to be able to sustain a healthy spiritual life.”

~Girls’ Club

Lovely Erin Loechner is joining me today to talk about how hard it is sometimes to find friends who “get” us as we are inside. I always love talking with her and so enjoy her thoughtful responses. We talk about what it is like to be an introvert who needs friends but finds it hard to reach out. She is the author of Chasing Slow and founder of Design for Mankind,

Erin Loechner has been blogging and speaking for more than a decade. Her heartfelt writing and design work has been showcased in The New York Times, Lucky, Parenting, Dwell, Marie Claire, Elle Decor, Huffington Post, and a two-season HGTV.com web special, garnering over one million fans worldwide. She has spoken for and appeared in renowned international events for clients such as Walt Disney World, IKEA, Martha Stewart and Home Depot. Erin has a brand new site for homeschooling mamas of littles that she would love for you to see called  othergoose.com(@othergoose on Instagram), Her creative ideas and plans of how to engage little ones in an interesting way will be such an encouragement to so many moms who are in the same stages.

Erin is nestled in a Midwestern town, with her husband, and two kids and they “strive” for less in most areas except three: joy, grace, and goat cheese.

Find Erin here: Design for Mankind

Her book, Chasing Slow, can be found at Amazon!

And of course you can find our newest book here!

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson

Lara Casey Podcast: Girls' Club Book Series!

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“We’re the girls. We’re strong. We laugh. We do things together. We make light in the darkness.”

~Girls’ Club

What fun it was to speak with Lara Casey! She has a wonderful team of women she works with in business as well as her lovely family, and she’s a fantastic encourager— have you seen her beautiful life planners, the PowerSheets? She’s blessing so many people and I’m so glad she’s joining me today! Not only is she wonderful to talk to, she’s also offering one of our readers a Write the Word Journal—and one for a friend! To enter, please go to this poster on my Instagram feed and tag a friend!

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Share the podcast and tag a friend in a comment here or on Insta or Facebook for a chance to win! Find Lara at LaraCasey.com as well as on Instagram: Lara Casey.

And be sure to find our new book, Girls’ Club, here!

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson

Sarah Mackenzie Podcast: Girls' Club Series!

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“Friendship is something we both create and give, a work and an art.”

~ Girls’ Club

I love Sarah Mackenzie. Sarah Mackenzie is familiar to many of you as the passionate, delightful leader of Read-Aloud Revival. We share the passion for books, life and so much more. I so enjoy Sarah’s heart for her family as well as reading, and we had such a sweet time talking today! Sarah is an author herself, and lives in the Inland Northwest with her husband Andrew, where they homeschool their six kids (including identical twin boys). And she’s been so kind as to offer one of our readers a copy of her book, The Read-Aloud Family—plus a second copy for a friend! Be sure to go to my Instagram page to tag a friend in a comment and enter.

Sarah also has a wonderful podcast: Read-Aloud Revival. And you can find her on Instagram, too!

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Find your own copy of Girls’ Club, here!

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson

What About Boy's Club with Ruth Chou Simons (Gracelaced) & Podcast: Girls' Club Series!

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“In friendship, we help each other to experience the fullness of God’s presence and goodness.”

~ Girls’ Club

I love Ruth Simons. Every time we talk, I know she will have her heart on the Lord, pondering how she can honor Him with her life. She always has anecdotes about her boys that remind me of my boys. And both of us sought the same beautiful relationship with them as I did with Sarah and Joy. Today, hear us talk about mentoring boys, loving them well.

Beautiful art is a cherished part of Clarkson life; especially when that art incorporates scripture. Those who have been in my home know that you can find framed calligraphy pieces in almost every room of my house. It is a way to speak to all those who enter of our dependence on God’s word.

Many of you are probably familiar with the beautiful work of Ruth Chou Simons. Her gorgeous watercolors remind us all that God loves us, and has surrounded us with a beautiful world. She claims she is "an unlikely mom to six young boys” and wife to Troy, with whom she leads GraceLaced's small but mighty team. When not painting, writing, and casting vision for GraceLaced.com, Ruth is usually busy eating chips and salsa, sorting laundry, cooking for large crowds, not finishing her sentences, and discovering off-beaten paths in the wild with her guys. She is a devotee of pho, a recovering perfectionist, a converted four-wheeling enthusiast, and a grateful beholder of redeeming Grace.”

I hope you’ll enjoy our podcast today—I know we enjoyed creating it for you!

Dear Ruth is offering a wonderful gift for one of our readers, today! This is an original print she made for me when I shared with her one of my favorite flowers (a purple iris) and one of my favorite verses in Proverbs: Go to my Instagram page and leave a comment on the poster pictured below, to tag a friend in order to enter!

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Find more from Ruth at her website, Gracelaced. And don’t miss her lovely Instagram feed!

Of course, you can always find Girls’ Club here:

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson

Emily Ley and Kristin Winchester Podcast: Girls' Club Series!

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“Oh, the delight of intelligent women ready to change the world together! “

~ Girls’ Club

I love Emily Ley. She always motivates me to want to be focussed in life, to know how to simplify (I think I need a personal session!) And she is having such an impact on her world through using her skill and encouragement.

I so loved talking with both Emily Ley and her dear friend, Kristin Winchester, today! They have supported one another through very difficult, lonely times and the vulnerability with which they shared their story touched me. Both are mamas of twins and they came to deep friendship because one of them took initiative and the other responded. Their story is what our lives should hold—initiation, kindness, acceptance, support, and the willingness to be there for one another through many seasons. Kristin and Emily got to the heart of what life is like for most of us as we try to live well the challenging stories we all live within. Kristin is mom to toddling twins. Emily is mama to three lovely little ones, and runs her company, Simplified, in all her spare time. Ha! She knows the power of friendship and teamwork, and we know you’ll be blessed as you listen.

You can find Emily on Instagram, too! And she has a surprise for you: She’s giving away one copy of the 2019 Simplified Planner plus a copy of each of her books, A Simplified Life and Grace, Not Perfection !

We hope you’ll be encouraged by our conversation.

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Find our newest book, Girls’ Club, here!

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson

Alyssa Bethke Podcast: Girls' Club Book Series!

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“Your home can become an outpost of God’s Kingdom as you act in the power of His love.”

~Girls’ Club

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

Our new book, Girls’ Club, is finally here! The girls and I are so very, very excited to finally see this book available to everyone. We had such a delightful time as we’ve discussed ideas about friendship and the ways it relates to the gospel; what it means to be a good friend, why friendship matters, the ways to build solid and lasting friendships, and what our own Girls’ Club has meant to us over the years …

And now you can read all about it!

We hope you will buy a copy—and maybe one (or two!) for a friend of your own! (Find it below.) And of course, the Girls’ Club Experience is a wonderful book which invites you to dig deeper into all these ideas. Work through it with your Girls’ Club!

It’s always a joy to share with my friend, Alyssa Bethke! Alyssa has an infectious smile, and we know her enthusiasm for life will be an encouragement to you, today. I love to see the beauty of their wonderful children in their photos on Instagram.

I love Alyssa’s passion for the Lord. She shared about issues in friendship that I could really identify with and I know her heart will encourage you as it did me!

Jeff & Alyssa Bethke have three children and a dog named Aslan (isn’t that the best?) They live in Maui, and like to create things on the internet. Alyssa writes,

“We consider it an immense privilege that people care to listen or read what we have to say. If we could sum up our mission on the internet it'd be to encourage men, women and families through online experiences and creative resources that are practical, fun and help each person on their journey of following Jesus.”

Find Alyssa on Instagram at AlyssaJoyBethke

Podcast: the Real Life Podcast

Both Alyssa and her husband, Jeff, have authored these wonderful books: Spoken For, Love that Lasts, 31 Ways to Creatively Love Him, and Finding Freedom.

BE SURE TO JOIN US TONIGHT at 9pm Eastern for a live launch party and webcast! Go to my page on Facebook: Sally Clarkson or Insta: Sally Clarkson to join us! We’ll be sharing about the book and giving away some great prizes. See you soon!

You can find our newest book, Girls’ Club, here!

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson

Jen Smith Podcast: Girls' Club Book Series!

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“Community is not abstract; it happens in the here and now of the people around us.”

~ Girls’ Club

Sweet Jen Smith and I became friends a few years ago. How fun it has been fo me to watch her share her vision and passion as a young wife, then as a mother, and now as a woman filled with family, convictions, and so much to share from a passion she overflows with from a love of Jesus.

We had so much fun catching up on my podcast again. I love her sparkle and her convictions. Jen has been married to her husband Aaron for twelve years. They are the parents of four beautiful children, and they have a passion to minister to couples through their podcast and books after walking through difficulties in their own marriage. They give God the glory for their restoration. I love to see her baby photos online. Jen writes,

“He is the reason our marriage is stronger than ever! Our heart’s prayer is to be vessels of His love being poured out for His name’s sake.

My purpose and desire is to help and encourage other wives by sharing my journey in learning to enjoy and appreciate my life as a wife. God inspired the name “Unveiled Wife” which means to be transparent and authentic in our relationship with God and with our husbands”.

I know you will enjoy this podcast so much today!

You can find Jen at her blog, Unveiled Wife, as well as on Facebook , and she’s also written a book, The Unveiled Wife along with several ebooks which can be found at her blog!

It’s almost here—our new book, Girls’ Club, is available everywhere tomorrow! Be sure to get your copy of Girls’ Club, here!

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson

Elsie Iudicello Podcast: Girls' Club Book Podcast Series

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“Only the loved can love.”

~ Girls’ Club


I have loved seeing the lovely, inspiring photos of Elsie for quite a while. Then when I got to hear her speak at a Wild and Free conference where we both spoke, I knew I wanted the opportunity to get to know her better.

Elsie homeschools her precious ones.  Her  family of six live on a 2.5 acre farm with a gaggle of pigs, turkeys, chickens, a dog and one duck. She says, “The noise level in our home is indescribable. The amount of laundry is harrowing. Our mudroom lives up to its name. I am an admitted book addict and anglophile. I love tea, gardening, chocolate, novels, tropical fruit and going to the bathroom by myself.” When I read this, I knew we were kindred spirits!

Doesn’t this sound like such a fun life?! Elsie Iudicello lives in sunny South Florida with her husband and four young boys on a noisy farm brimming with an assortment of animals and tropical fruit trees. She is an author and speaker with a passion for Jesus and a great love for homeschooling, stories, tea, adventuring with her children, theology and avocados.

We had so much fun talking about friendship for my podcast today—hope you will love listening in! Elsie writes for Wild and Free magazine and blogs at www.farmhouseschoolhouse.com. You can follow Elsie on instagram @Farmhouse_Schoolhouse for more updates on the upcoming release of her first book. 

Our book, Girls’ Club releases in just 4 days. Be sure to order your copy. We know it will inspire you! (at least we hope it will, as that is what we had in mind! To refresh you in remembering how important accountability, friendship and mentoring is to your whole life. :)

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson

Haley Stewart Podcast: Girls' Club Book Series!

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“As a woman made in the image of God, you have the power of love always at your fingertips.”

~ Girls’ Club

What a delight it was to record this podcast. Joy befriended Haley over Twitter, finding her a kindred spirit in all things literature, homeschool, and faith. Haley is mama to four, wife to a beekeeper, author, blogger, podcaster … a prolific person, in general! She’s also written a book titled, The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture.In this podcast, we talked about what it looks like to cultivate a culture of hospitality in your home as a family, and how rich friendships that span across stages of life can be. We also talked about what it looks like to begin sowing seeds of friendship with your children.

It was so obvious as we talked that Haley has thought deeply, loved well, and celebrated much in her life. If she lived nearer me, I’d want her on my front porch for tea often! Haley is thoughtful, well read, delightful, and truly, truly a kindred spirit. I know you’ll enjoy this podcast.

You can find Haley at all these places …

Blog: https://www.carrotsformichaelmas.com/

Podcast: https://fountainsofcarrots.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleycarrots/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HaleyCarrots

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarrotsForMichaelmas/

And of course, you can find Girls’ Club here!

Girls' Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
By Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson