The Joy Bringer Podcast with Season Bowers

seasonbowers

Joy is for you! Join Season Bowers for meaningful, insightful, and joy-filled conversations to help you grab hold of joy and bring it everywhere you go. read less
Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality

Episodes

Joy Bringer Podcast ep. 22 - Joy in a Wilderness Season (From The Inner Revival Podcast with Monika Kirkland)
May 20 2024
Joy Bringer Podcast ep. 22 - Joy in a Wilderness Season (From The Inner Revival Podcast with Monika Kirkland)
This month the Joy Bringer Challenge is to brag about others....spread joy by championing and encouraging other people! I wanted to use my podcast to celebrate another podcaster, Monika Kirkland and her Inner Revival Podcast. She had me as a guest on her podcast and I wanted to share it with you. ENJOY!   In this conversation, Season Bowers and the host Monika Kirkland (of the Inner Revival Podcast) discuss the concept of wilderness seasons and finding joy in every season of life. They explore the biblical meaning of wilderness and how it is not meant to be a desolate or isolating experience, but rather a time for God to speak to us and cultivate intimacy. They emphasize the importance of embracing the season we are in and encountering God's joy that is always available to us. Season shares her four joy-bringer core values: gratitude, forgiveness, flexibility, and rest. She encourages listeners to trust God's plan and timing, knowing that He is always at work in their lives.   Takeaways Wilderness seasons are not meant to be desolate or isolating, but rather a time for God to speak to us and cultivate intimacy.Finding joy in every season of life is possible when we embrace the season we are in and encounter God's joy that is always available to us.Gratitude, forgiveness, flexibility, and rest are key values that help us cultivate joy in every season.Trusting God's plan and timing is essential, knowing that He is always at work in our lives.   Keywords: wilderness seasons, joy, biblical meaning, intimacy, gratitude, forgiveness, flexibility, rest, trust, God's plan
Joy Bringer Podcast ep 21 - Championing And Celebrating Others With Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton
May 13 2024
Joy Bringer Podcast ep 21 - Championing And Celebrating Others With Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton
Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton joins Season to discuss the Every Woman's Bible, a compilation of commentary and teachings from over 100 women from different faith traditions within Christianity. The Bible aims to address the desire to understand God's purpose for women and help them go deeper in their faith. The project was inspired by the need to connect women and celebrate their diverse stories. Dr. Overton emphasizes the importance of gratitude and celebrating the work of God in others. She also discusses the challenges of building healthy relationships among women and the need for trust and vulnerability. The conversation explores the themes of comparison, embracing seasons, and celebrating others. It emphasizes the importance of not allowing comparison to divide us and make us feel small. Instead, we are called to embrace the immensity of who we are in God's image. The conversation also highlights the significance of gratitude and taking action with our gratitude. It encourages championing and celebrating others, even when they are in a different season or have achieved something we desire. The Every Woman's Bible is recommended as a practical and useful resource for women.   Click here for a 25% discount (limited time only)   Takeaways The Every Woman's Bible is a compilation of commentary and teachings from over 100 women from different faith traditions within Christianity.The Bible aims to address the desire to understand God's purpose for women and help them go deeper in their faith.Gratitude and celebrating the work of God in others are important practices for building healthy relationships among women.Trust and vulnerability are key in fostering meaningful connections and supporting one another. Comparison can divide us and make us feel small, but we are called to embrace the immensity of who we are in God's image.Gratitude is powerful when we take action with it and use our gifts and abilities to further the kingdom of God.Championing and celebrating others, even when they are in a different season or have achieved something we desire, is important.The Every Woman's Bible is a practical and useful resource for women. Keywords Every Woman's Bible, women, faith, empowerment, diversity, gratitude, celebration, relationships, trust, vulnerability, comparison, seasons, celebration, gratitude, championing, Every Woman's Bible
Joy Bringer Podcast ep. 19 - He Sees You So You Can Rest With Whitney Akin
Apr 29 2024
Joy Bringer Podcast ep. 19 - He Sees You So You Can Rest With Whitney Akin
In this conversation, Season and Whitney discuss the theme of feeling overlooked and the importance of connecting with God in those moments. They explore the idea that attention is a human need and that God is the ultimate source of love and belonging. They reference biblical stories such as Hagar and the prodigal son to highlight God's constant presence and care. They emphasize the power of locking eyes with the Lord and finding joy in His presence, even in difficult seasons. The conversation also touches on the fear of being seen and the redemption found in Jesus. In this conversation, Season and Whitney discuss the importance of trusting God's timing and finding rest in His presence. They talk about how God is not cruel and how He sees and understands our struggles. They also explore the idea of being content with being lowly and hidden, rather than constantly seeking attention and validation. They emphasize the need to find rest in God's rhythms and to walk confidently at His pace. Whitney also shares about her new podcast, 'Hanging On Every Word,' where she invites listeners to study the Bible together in a non-intimidating way.   Grab a copy of Whitney's book, Overlooked HERE   Takeaways Feeling overlooked is a common experience, but it's important to remember that God sees and cares for us.Attention is a human need, and God is the ultimate source of love and belonging.Locking eyes with the Lord and finding joy in His presence can transform our perspective and bring peace.The fear of being seen and the shame of our sins can be overcome through Jesus and His redemption.God's constant presence and care are evident in biblical stories like Hagar and the prodigal son. Trust in God's timing and believe that He is not cruel.Find rest in God's presence and know that He sees and understands your struggles.Be content with being lowly and hidden, rather than constantly seeking attention and validation.Walk confidently at God's pace and find rest in His rhythms.Study the Bible together in a non-intimidating way through Whitney's podcast, 'Hanging On Every Word.' Keywords:  overlooked, connection with God, attention, love and belonging, Hagar, prodigal son, joy, presence of God, fear, redemption, trusting God's timing, finding rest, God's presence, God is not cruel, being lowly, hidden, finding rest in God's rhythms, walking at God's pace, studying the Bible
Joy Bringer Podcast ep. 18 - You're Not Behind with Rebecca George
Apr 22 2024
Joy Bringer Podcast ep. 18 - You're Not Behind with Rebecca George
In this conversation, Season and Rebecca discuss Rebecca's new book, 'You're Not Behind,' which challenges the narrative of always feeling behind and not measuring up. They explore the idea of waiting on the Lord and finding rest in His timing and plan. They also touch on the temptation to compare ourselves to others and the importance of staying faithful to our own path. The conversation highlights the need to trust God's pace and direction for our lives and to serve Him in the waiting. In this conversation, Rebecca George and Season Bowers discuss the importance of rest and trusting God's timing. Rebecca shares her personal story of longing for a spouse and how God answered her prayers in unexpected ways. They also talk about the need to let go of striving and earning God's approval, and instead rest in His love and faithfulness. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of intentional breaks and carving out space for rest, and shares her plans to take a three-month break from her podcast. They also discuss the process of launching a book and the need to seek God's guidance and trust His plan. To follow Rebecca and find out more, go to her website   Takeaways Trust in God's timing and plan for your life, even when it feels like you're behind.Comparison can be inspiring, but it shouldn't drive our behavior or make us feel inadequate.Serve the Lord in the waiting and find rest in His presence.Stay faithful to your own path and trust that God is working in and through you.Don't rush or hustle to make things happen, but rather wait on the Lord and follow His lead. Rest is an intentional choice of obedience and cannot be achieved by drifting towards it.We don't have to earn God's love or approval; He loves us unconditionally.It's important to take intentional breaks and carve out space for rest in our lives.When launching a book or pursuing a goal, it's crucial to seek God's guidance and trust His plan.God's timing and ways of answering our prayers may be different from what we expect, but He is faithful and works all things for our good. Keywords: book, You're Not Behind, waiting, rest, timing, comparison, serving, faithfulness, rest, trust, timing, longing, answered prayers, striving, earning approval, intentional breaks, launching a book, seeking God's guidance
Joy Bringer Podcast ep 17 - Joy is Peace at Rest with Liz Bagwell
Apr 15 2024
Joy Bringer Podcast ep 17 - Joy is Peace at Rest with Liz Bagwell
In this episode, Season introduces Liz Bagwell, a scientist who combines her scientific knowledge with scripture to teach about rest. Liz shares her personal journey of burnout and how she learned to surrender to God's plan for her life. She explains the importance of rest and the connection between our biological rhythms and scripture. Liz dives into the concept of circadian rhythm, the rhythm of sleep, and emphasizes the significance of getting enough sleep for optimal health. She also introduces the ultradian rhythm, the rhythm of energy and performance, and how it affects our daily lives. This conversation explores the importance of rest and how it can be optimized for productivity and overall well-being. The discussion covers topics such as the impact of caffeine, mapping out energy levels, structuring the day for peak productivity, and taking control of one's schedule. The conversation also delves into the biblical perspective on rest and the connection between rest and joy. Practical steps for fostering rest are provided, including prioritizing sleep, taking brain breaks, and engaging in activities that regulate the nervous system.   Takeaways Rest is essential for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.God created our bodies with specific biological rhythms, such as the circadian rhythm and the ultradian rhythm.Getting enough sleep, around 7-9 hours, is crucial for our overall health and performance.Listening to our bodies and taking brain breaks throughout the day can help optimize our energy levels and prevent burnout. Optimize caffeine consumption by taking it at specific times to work with your body's natural cortisol and adrenaline levels.Map out your energy levels throughout the day to identify peak productivity windows and structure your schedule accordingly.Break free from societal expectations and create a schedule that prioritizes rest and balance.Rest is an essential part of our identity as children of God and is necessary for experiencing true joy.Practical steps for fostering rest include prioritizing sleep, taking brain breaks, and engaging in activities that regulate the nervous system. Check out Liz's podcast Rhythm Restoration with Liz Bagwell
Joy Bringer Podcast ep 16 - Rest Makes Joy True with Tracy Brown
Apr 8 2024
Joy Bringer Podcast ep 16 - Rest Makes Joy True with Tracy Brown
In this episode, Season and Tracy discuss the importance of rest and its connection to joy. Tracy shares how rest has become a part of her art and ministry, despite her initial struggle with it. They explore the concept of rest making joy true and the need to believe what we feel. They also discuss the difference between rest and leisure, and the fragmented nature of our culture. Tracy emphasizes the importance of separating rest and leisure and learning to trust our own discernment of our feelings. They also touch on the misconception of self-care as restful and the need for support in overcoming burnout. They conclude by discussing the role of sacrifice and simplifying life in finding rest, and the communal nature of Sabbath. In this conversation, Tracy Brown and Season discuss the concept of rest and its relationship to emotions and thoughts. They explore the difference between feelings and thoughts, the challenge of identifying and expressing emotions, and the role of art in engaging with difficult emotions. They also delve into the power of prayer language and its ability to communicate the groaning of the soul. The conversation highlights the importance of rest as a trust and grace practice, as well as its restorative and relational nature. They emphasize that rest is not leisure, but rather a freedom from anxiety and attachment to needs and desires. The conversation concludes with a reminder to approach the journey to rest with self-compassion and to recognize that it is a lifelong process. Takeaways Rest is essential for experiencing true joy.Believing what we feel and accepting our emotions is important for rest and self-discovery.Rest is not the same as leisure and should be separated from it.Sacrifice and simplifying life are necessary for finding rest.Rest is a communal practice and can be strengthened through community support. Distinguish between feelings and thoughts to gain a deeper understanding of emotions.Art can serve as a powerful tool for engaging with and expressing difficult emotions.Prayer language can provide a means of communicating the groaning of the soul and finding rest in the presence of God.Rest is not leisure, but rather a restorative and relational practice that requires trust and grace.Approach the journey to rest with self-compassion and recognize that it is a lifelong process.
Joy Bringer Podcast ep 12 - Long Time Friendship, Break Ups, and Brave Conversations with Heather Sanford
Mar 11 2024
Joy Bringer Podcast ep 12 - Long Time Friendship, Break Ups, and Brave Conversations with Heather Sanford
This conversation explores the desire for lifelong friendships and the ebb and flow of soul friends. It delves into the story of a challenging friendship and the process of addressing unhealthy patterns. The conversation also highlights the importance of finding fulfillment in God and navigating the perception of celebrity. It emphasizes the fear of rejection and the seasons of friendship. Finally, it discusses the importance of connection and celebrating each other's success. In this conversation, Season and Heather discuss the importance of authentic friendships, choosing joy and celebrating others, being true to oneself and encouraging others, navigating the end of friendships, teaching kids about friendship and breakups, honoring friendships, and seeing the humanity in others. They emphasize the need to receive love and give it away, as well as the impact of genuine connections in our lives. Lifelong friendships require an ebb and flow of connection and understanding.Addressing unhealthy patterns in friendships can lead to growth and stronger relationships.Finding fulfillment in God can help navigate the challenges of friendship.The perception of celebrity can impact friendships and create assumptions.Taking the initiative to connect with old and new friends can lead to meaningful relationships.Celebrating each other's success fosters a supportive and uplifting friendship. Authentic friendships are important for personal growth and support.Choosing joy and celebrating others' successes can lead to a more positive and fulfilling life.Being true to oneself and encouraging others can create a supportive and empowering environment.Navigating the end of friendships requires honesty, respect, and understanding.Teaching kids about friendship and breakups can help them develop healthy relationship skills.Honoring friendships and seeing the humanity in others can foster unity and compassion.Receiving love and giving it away can bring joy and fulfillment to our lives. To connect with Season CLICK HERE
Joy Bringer podcast ep 10: Forgiveness, Healing and Joy with Ann Hansen
Feb 26 2024
Joy Bringer podcast ep 10: Forgiveness, Healing and Joy with Ann Hansen
In this conversation, Season Bowers and Ann Hansen discuss the power of forgiveness and the journey towards true forgiveness. They explore the deception of unforgiveness and how it can hold us in bondage. Season shares her personal forgiveness journey, highlighting the importance of addressing the emotional damage caused by the offense. They discuss the significance of specific forgiveness and surrendering the pain to the Lord. The conversation also touches on the idea of avoiding certain people in heaven and the importance of speaking blessings over others. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the transformative power of forgiveness and the freedom it brings. In this conversation, Season and her guest discuss the power of blessing and forgiving others, as well as oneself. They explore the importance of recognizing God's desire for freedom and wholeness in all areas of life. The challenges of forgiving ongoing offenses and betrayal are also addressed. The transformative power of forgiveness is highlighted, along with the Father's heart of restoration. The conversation concludes with a discussion on acknowledging disappointment and anger towards God, and the invitation to be honest with Him. The importance of celebrating and encouraging one another is emphasized, as well as finding joy in the little things. Takeaways Unforgiveness is a deceptive and powerful position that holds us in bondage.True forgiveness requires addressing the emotional damage caused by the offense.Specific forgiveness is important in order to fully release the pain and find healing.Speaking blessings over others restores our voice and identity as children of God. Blessing and forgiving others is a powerful act that can transform relationships and bring healing.It is important to also bless and forgive oneself, allowing for personal growth and restoration.God desires freedom and wholeness in all areas of our lives, including our sexuality.Forgiving ongoing offenses can be challenging, but daily forgiveness and intercession can help navigate these situations.Betrayal can be difficult to forgive, but God's restorative grace can bring healing and reconciliation.Acknowledging disappointment and anger towards God is a necessary part of the forgiveness journey.Being honest with God and sharing our joys and struggles with Him strengthens our relationship with Him.Celebrating and encouraging one another is essential in the journey of forgiveness and healing.Finding joy in the little things brings happiness and contentment in life.
Joy Bringer podcast ep.9: F Is For Forgiveness with Brandie Manigault
Feb 19 2024
Joy Bringer podcast ep.9: F Is For Forgiveness with Brandie Manigault
In this conversation, Season Bowers and Brandie Manigault discuss the challenging topic of forgiveness. They explore the impact of unforgiveness on individuals and their relationships, emphasizing the importance of a soft heart and the power of forgiveness. Brandie shares her personal journey of forgiveness, highlighting the process and the choice to forgive. They also discuss the healing journey and the spiritual impact of forgiveness. The conversation concludes with a focus on choosing quick obedience and allowing oneself to feel the emotions associated with forgiveness. In this conversation, Brandie shares her journey of forgiveness and healing after experiencing deep pain and betrayal. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and processing the emotions associated with forgiveness, rather than rushing to move on. Brandie also highlights the significance of redemption and reconciliation within the church community. Season introduces a four-step forgiveness model that has helped her navigate the process. Additionally, Brandie emphasizes the need to forgive oneself and accept the forgiveness offered by Jesus. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the joy of forgiveness and the anticipation of spending time with family during the Christmas season.   To connect with Season, join the 12 Month Joy Bringer Challenge, get a DONT EAT YELLOW PAINT sweatshirt, or invite Season to speak to your community CLICK HERE