Encouragement for Real Life

By Julie Lefebure

Listen to a podcast, please open Podcast Republic app. Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Image by Julie Lefebure

Category: Christianity

Open in Apple Podcasts


Open RSS feed


Open Website


Rate for this podcast

Subscribers: 2
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 270

Description

We know real life is a mixture of blessings and blunders, celebrations and sadness, excitement and apathy. It’s a combination of memory-making moments and moments we’d rather forget. It’s a blend of triumphs and failures, happiness and heartaches, and hope and discouragement. And some days we could use a little extra encouragement for our real lives right now.

You'll find that here, all in about 15 minutes each week. So, you can listen as you’re driving the kids to school, or as you’re getting ready in the morning, or with whatever your day consists of. The episodes are short enough to fit into your real life.

Included are life-impacting stories, helpful life tips and tricks, timely inspiration, Biblical insight, and a fresh perspective, combined with a light-hearted tone to encourage your heart and put a lift in your step.

More than a pep talk and more than a fun place to plug in to, the Encouragement for Real Life podcast not only lifts your spirits, but it equips you to be a light in this world. To shine bright wherever God has you. And to be a blessing in the lives of others.

Support us on PayPal!


Episode Date
269. The Things We've Normalized That Aren't Helping Our Health
Sep 22, 2026
268. Why I Pay Attention to What I Put in My Body
Sep 15, 2026
267. When Did Taking Care of Ourselves Get So Complicated?
Sep 08, 2026
266. What Does It Mean to Be Well?
Sep 01, 2026
265. From Caterpillar to Butterfly with Libby Conder
Aug 25, 2026
264. Live Your Life: Come, Follow, Remain
Aug 18, 2026
263. What Is Pulling You Away from the Life You're Living?
Aug 11, 2026
262. Don't Miss the Life You're Living
Aug 04, 2026
261. The Sisters I Never Had with Deb, Kelly, and Stacie
Jul 28, 2026
260. Life Does Not Have to Be Perfect to Be Good
Jul 21, 2026
259. When Time Feels Like It's Moving Too Fast
Jul 14, 2026
258. How Is Your Heart? A Mid-Year Check-In
Jul 07, 2026
257. Waiting While Trusting God with Pamela Henkelman
Jun 30, 2026
256. What Most People Don't Know About Me
Jun 23, 2026
255. When I Struggled to Forgive Myself
Jun 16, 2026
254. The Thoughts I Still Struggle With (Even Now)
Jun 09, 2026
253. How Did I Get Here?
Jun 02, 2026
252. Back to the Basics with Rev. John Louk
May 26, 2026
251. 4 Small Choices That Shape Your Life
May 19, 2026
250. The 10-Minute Reset You Can Use Anytime
May 12, 2026
249. 5 Simple Shifts That Actually Make a Difference
May 05, 2026
248. There Is Power in the Wait with Marcia Cramer
Apr 28, 2026
247. You Were Made for More Than Settling for Less
Apr 21, 2026
246. You Were Made for More Than Running on Empty
Apr 14, 2026
245. You Were Made for More Than Just Getting Through the Day
Apr 07, 2026
244. How to Love Your Mornings with Jennifer Dukes Lee
Mar 31, 2026
243. 10 Things That Help You Feel Like You Again
Mar 24, 2026
242. 10 Things You Are Allowed to Be Bad At
Mar 17, 2026
241. 10 Things You Can Stop Doing the Hard Way
Mar 10, 2026
240. 10 Things That Are Not Actually Emergencies
Mar 03, 2026
239. What Matters Most with My Oldest Brother, Marty Gorkow
Feb 24, 2026
238. What We Do Not Want Anyone to See
Feb 17, 2026
237. What We Are Carrying that No One Knows
Feb 10, 2026
236. What We Think but Do Not Say
Feb 03, 2026
235. Staying Close to Jesus with LuEllyn Rozeboom
Jan 27, 2026
234. What if God Is Using the Life You Did Not Plan?
Jan 20, 2026
233. What if This Is Your Moment to Step Forward?
Jan 13, 2026
232. What if You Are Not as Unseen as You Feel?
Jan 06, 2026
231. Life on the Other Side of the Field with Brother Steve Gorkow
Dec 30, 2025
230. Celebrate with Purpose
Dec 23, 2025
229. Be Here for It
Dec 16, 2025
228. Protect What Matters Most
Dec 09, 2025
227. A Different Kind of December
Dec 02, 2025
226. Real Talk with Morgan and Paige, My Kids by Marriage
Nov 25, 2025
225. Just Say No to Perfectionism
Nov 18, 2025
224. Just Say No to People Pleasing
Nov 11, 2025
223. Just Say No to Rushing
Nov 04, 2025
222. Life to the Full with My Little Brother, Pat Gorkow
Oct 28, 2025
221. Say No to Good and Yes to God
Oct 21, 2025
220. How to Take Back Your Attention
Oct 14, 2025
219. The Cost of a Scattered Life
Oct 07, 2025
218. Living Life to the Fullest with Debbie Hitzel
Sep 30, 2025
217. Encouragement Extra: Where Do We Go From Here?
Sep 26, 2025
216. Summer of Abundance Bonus Recap: Keep Eternity in View
Sep 23, 2025
215. Summer of Abundance Week 12: Do It Afraid, Do It Anyway
Sep 16, 2025
214. Summer of Abundance Week 11: Give What You've Got
Sep 09, 2025
213. Summer of Abundance Week 10: Speak Life, Live Full
Sep 02, 2025
212. What Happens When Four Women Show Up to Pray
Aug 26, 2025
211. Summer of Abundance Week 9: When Enough Really Is Enough
Aug 19, 2025
210. Summer of Abundance Week 8: You Are Not Meant to Run on Empty
Aug 12, 2025
209. Summer of Abundance Week 7: Care for the Body God Gave You
Aug 05, 2025
208. Faith, Friendship, and a Full Life with Patty McDorman
Jul 29, 2025
207. Summer of Abundance Week 6: Gratitude Changes Everything
Jul 22, 2025
206. Summer of Abundance Week 5: Be Where Your Feet Are
Jul 15, 2025
205. Summer of Abundance Week 4: Surrender is Where Freedom Starts
Jul 08, 2025
204. Summer of Abundance Week 3: Stay Close to Your Source
Jul 01, 2025
203. Finding Abundance in the Unexpected with Reverend Barbara Furman
Jun 24, 2025
202. Summer of Abundance Week 2: Train Your Thoughts for Truth
Jun 17, 2025
201. Summer of Abundance Week 1: You Are Who He Says You Are
Jun 10, 2025
200. 200 Episodes and One Grateful Host
Jun 03, 2025
199. Living a Real Life of Abundance with Alissa Studt
May 27, 2025
198. Beyond Your Bloom: Living a Fruitful Life for God
May 20, 2025
197. While You Bloom: How to Flourish Where You Are
May 13, 2025
196. Before You Bloom: When You Cannot See Progress
May 06, 2025
195. From Childhood to Now: Real Talk with Karen and Sheila
Apr 29, 2025
194. Washing Windows When Your Perspective Becomes Cloudy
Apr 22, 2025
193. Decluttering Your Heart When You Feel Distracted
Apr 15, 2025
192. Dusting Off Weariness When You Are Exhausted
Apr 08, 2025
191. Clearing Out the Cobwebs When You Feel Dead Inside
Apr 01, 2025
190. Real Life and Real Relationships with Zach Lefebure
Mar 25, 2025
189. How to Find Peace in the Storms of Life
Mar 18, 2025
188. How to Identify and Combat Lies From the Enemy
Mar 11, 2025
187. On What Are You Building Your Life?
Mar 04, 2025
186. Life, Love, and Everything in Between with Bill Lefebure
Feb 25, 2025
185. What Is In Your Heart? Find Out Now
Feb 18, 2025
184. What Is a Heart for God and How to Have One
Feb 11, 2025
183. Why Following Your Heart Is Not the Best Choice
Feb 04, 2025
182. Embodying Authentic Life and Faith with Tina Herring
Jan 28, 2025
181. Practical Steps to Identify Your Unique Purpose
Jan 21, 2025
180. How to Live Intentionally and Make Every Day Count
Jan 14, 2025
179. A Helpful Way to Welcome a New Year
Jan 07, 2025
178. The Gift of Noticing with Kelly Blackwell
Dec 31, 2024
177. "A Thrill of Hope" - Carols of Encouragement
Dec 24, 2024
176. "No Crib for a Bed" - Carols of Encouragement
Dec 17, 2024
175. "All Is Calm, All Is Bright" - Carols of Encouragement
Dec 10, 2024
174. "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room" - Carols of Encouragement
Dec 03, 2024
173. The Value of Being Still With Marnie Hammar
Nov 26, 2024
172. 10 Practical Ways to Deal With Discomfort
Nov 19, 2024
171. The Truth About God and Our Discomfort
Nov 12, 2024
170. When Discomfort Makes You Uncomfortable
Nov 05, 2024
169. Waking Up in the Wilderness with Natalie Ogbourne
Oct 29, 2024
168. To Encourage You in Your Faith Today
Oct 22, 2024
167. 3 Simple Ways to Slow Down Time
Oct 15, 2024
166. What I'm Doing to Better My Health
Oct 08, 2024
165. Who Do You Go to First?
Oct 01, 2024
164. Hope Amid the Struggles of Life with Julie Sunne
Sep 24, 2024
163. Do We Focus on Earthly or Heavenly Things?
Sep 17, 2024
162. How to Stay Fully Present on Memorable Days
Sep 10, 2024
161. What Happened When I Rested This Summer
Sep 03, 2024
160. How to Be Stronger than Stress with Barb Roose
Aug 27, 2024
159. The Secret to a Life of Joy and Abundance
Aug 20, 2024
158. How Are We Doing at "Love Your Neighbor"?
Aug 13, 2024
157. How to Overcome the Distraction of Multitasking
Aug 06, 2024
156. It's Okay to Say No with Stacie Gorkow
Jul 30, 2024
155. When You Are Your Own Biggest Distraction
Jul 23, 2024
154. When Technology Distracts You from Life
Jul 16, 2024
153. How to Stay Present When the Future Distracts You
Jul 09, 2024
152. How to Live Now When You Are Stuck in the Past
Jul 02, 2024
151. A Prescription of Hope with Dr. Jessica Peck
Jun 25, 2024
150. What Do Your Soul and Self Need This Summer?
Jun 18, 2024
149. You May Be Living Distracted if You Cannot Enjoy Now
Jun 11, 2024
148. You May Be Living Distracted Lacking Joy and Peace
Jun 04, 2024
147. Living in the Right Now Moment with Heather Jeffery
May 28, 2024
146. You May Be Living Distracted if You Always Hurry
May 21, 2024
145. You May Be Living Distracted if You Cannot Complete Tasks
May 14, 2024
144. You May Be Living Distracted if You Cannot Focus
May 07, 2024
143. Life as a Right-Now Woman With Alissa Studt
Apr 30, 2024
142. Are You Tired of Missing out on Life?
Apr 23, 2024
141. 5 Simple Ways to Study the Bible
Apr 16, 2024
140. 3 Ways Studying Scripture Can Impact Your Life
Apr 09, 2024
139. What? A Quarter of the Year Is Behind Us!
Apr 02, 2024
138. Seeing God's Image in Others with Nicole Williams
Mar 26, 2024
137. What Happens When We Invite God Into Our Days
Mar 19, 2024
136. That Time When God Went with Us on Vacation
Mar 12, 2024
135. The Truth About Distractions and Our Purpose
Mar 05, 2024
134. An Unexpected Divine Detour with Lori Ann Wood
Feb 27, 2024
133. There Has Got to Be More to Life Than This
Feb 20, 2024
132. Do You Love Who You Are?
Feb 13, 2024
131. "Did God Say That?" This Is Impacting My Life!
Feb 06, 2024
130. Are You Listening? with Michelle Layer Rahal
Jan 30, 2024
129. Why Today Is the Greatest Day to Be Alive
Jan 23, 2024
128. Are We Missing Moments We Will Never Get Back?
Jan 16, 2024
127. 5 Ways to Be a Right-Now Woman in 2024
Jan 09, 2024
126. Walking Into 2024 Worry Free with a Word
Jan 02, 2024
125. Ending 2023 Grateful and With Big News!
Dec 26, 2023
124. Sound Your Joy on Repeat to the World
Dec 19, 2023
123. How to Cope When Holidays Are Not Happy
Dec 12, 2023
122. 5 Ways to Stay Present This Holiday Season
Dec 05, 2023
121. God Desires to Dwell With Us With Rachel Fahrenbach
Nov 28, 2023
120. Here Is a New Concept: Celebrate "Thanksgivings"
Nov 21, 2023
119. How to Slow Your Go and Unbusy Your Life
Nov 14, 2023
118. How Do I Know if I Am Living Distracted?
Nov 07, 2023
117. Why Does Right Now Matter?
Oct 31, 2023
116. Celebrating the Launch of Right Now Matters Part 2
Oct 24, 2023
115. Celebrating the Launch of Right Now Matters Part 1
Oct 17, 2023
114. The Heart Behind Right Now Matters
Oct 10, 2023
113. When Good Is the Enemy of Great
Oct 03, 2023
112. Living Above the Noise with Terry Covey
Sep 26, 2023
111. What We Are Really Doing When We Complain
Sep 19, 2023
110. Why Encouragement Is Necessary and Important
Sep 12, 2023
109. How to Succeed at Something Difficult
Sep 05, 2023
108. A Decluttered Life Is a Free Life with Julie Lane
Aug 29, 2023
107. The Unexpected Gift of Starting Over
Aug 22, 2023
106. When I Make Life All About Me
Aug 15, 2023
105. Relationship Hack: Assume the Best in Others
Aug 08, 2023
104. Truth: God Knows You, Sees You, and He Cares
Aug 01, 2023
103. Will It Really Be Okay?
Jul 25, 2023
102. What to Do When Life Is Overwhelming
Jul 18, 2023
101. Life Is Real and Imperfect, and That's a Good Thing
Jul 11, 2023
100. Do You Know How Amazing You Are?
Jul 04, 2023
99. Heartbreak Is Not the End of Your Story With Jodi Rosser
Jun 27, 2023
98. How to Live Your Best Life This Summer
Jun 20, 2023
97. Our Focus Matters When It Comes to Distraction
Jun 13, 2023
96. How to Make the Most of Right Now
Jun 06, 2023
95. A Real Life Conversation With Jennifer Dukes Lee
May 30, 2023
94. There Is Only One Who Controls Your Destiny
May 23, 2023
93. The Distraction of Others Says, "Notice Me Now"
May 16, 2023
92. How to Live an Abundant Life
May 09, 2023
91. How to Avoid Living Life on Empty
May 02, 2023
90. The Distraction of a Wandering Mind Says, "Meander with Me"
Apr 25, 2023
89. The Distraction of Social Media Says, "Check This Out"
Apr 18, 2023
88. The Truth About Multitasking and Distractions
Apr 11, 2023
87. How to Thrive in Difficult Circumstances
Apr 04, 2023
86. The Distraction of a Busy Mind Says, "Think About This"
Mar 28, 2023
85. Now Is the Time to Bloom
Mar 21, 2023
84. When God Calls You Into the Uncomfortable
Mar 14, 2023
83. Are We Called to Be Comfortable?
Mar 07, 2023
82. How to Brighten Your Corner of the World
Feb 28, 2023
81. How to Stay Encouraged When Winter Feels Long
Feb 21, 2023
80. The Distraction of the Past Says, "Stay Stuck Here"
Feb 14, 2023
79. The Distraction of the Future Says, "Live There Now"
Feb 07, 2023
78. 7 Ways How to Begin Your Day Encouraged
Jan 31, 2023
77. The Distraction of Fatigue Says, "You Are Tired"
Jan 24, 2023
76. The Distraction of Poor Health Says, "You Are Unwell"
Jan 17, 2023
75. How to Look Back to Move Forward
Jan 10, 2023
74. Happy 2023! How Are You Beginning This New Year?
Jan 03, 2023
73. How to Set Ourselves Up for the New Year
Dec 27, 2022
72. Christmas and Grief: How to Make It Through
Dec 20, 2022
71. The Distraction of Hurry Says, "You Are Behind"
Dec 13, 2022
70. The Distraction of Stress Says, "Focus on the Overwhelm"
Dec 06, 2022
69. Is This Really the Season to Be Jolly?
Nov 29, 2022
68. Living as if Thanksgiving Is More Than a Day
Nov 22, 2022
67. The Distraction of Busyness Says, "Be Busier"
Nov 15, 2022
66. The Distraction of Regret Says, "You Did That?"
Nov 08, 2022
65. Real Life Truth: A Delay Is Not Defeat
Nov 06, 2022
64. The Distraction of Worry Says, "Fret About This"
Oct 25, 2022
63. The Distraction of Comparison Says "Be Like Her"
Oct 18, 2022
62. Because the Answer Is Found in the Asking
Oct 11, 2022
61. Here Is the Truth: God Sees You and He Cares
Oct 04, 2022
60. Hope for Us Who Are Exhausted
Sep 27, 2022
59. A Simple Way to Positively Influence Another
Sep 20, 2022
58. Surprise! You May Be Living Distracted If...
Sep 13, 2022
57. 9 Ways to Stay Focused and Less Distracted
Sep 06, 2022
56. What We Focus on Matters
Aug 30, 2022
55. How to Be More Like the Sunflower
Aug 23, 2022
54. 5 Valuable Life Lessons from RAGBRAI 2022
Aug 16, 2022
53. Celebrate With Me: One Year of the Podcast!
Aug 09, 2022
52. Life Is Too Important to Live Distracted
Aug 02, 2022
51. Why I RAGBRAI: The Reasons May Surprise You
Jul 26, 2022
50. The Truth About Our Limiting Beliefs
Jul 19, 2022
49. How to Remain Encouraged in the Waiting
Jul 12, 2022
48. 7 Practical Ways to Uncomplicate Your Life
Jul 05, 2022
47. How to Say Goodbye to Guilt for Good
Jun 28, 2022
46. How Tandem Bicycling Is a Little Like Following God
Jun 21, 2022
45. Life Is One Big Adventure With God
Jun 14, 2022
44. What I Know Now, But Did Not Know Then
Jun 07, 2022
43. 7 Ways to Overcome FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
May 31, 2022
42. The Truth About Staying in Your Own Lane
May 24, 2022
41. What Happens When We Compare?
May 17, 2022
40. Where Is God in Your Life?
May 10, 2022
39. What in the World Are We Thinking?
May 03, 2022
38. 10 Simple Ways to Be a Light in This World
Apr 26, 2022
37. What Is Your Faith Story?
Apr 19, 2022
36. Been Hurt by the Church? Now What?
Apr 12, 2022
35. The Hope of Living Beyond Our Brokenness
Apr 05, 2022
34. So, What Were You Doing Two Years Ago?
Mar 29, 2022
33. When It's Not So Easy to Love Your Neighbor
Mar 22, 2022
32. How to Bloom Where You Are Planted - Part 2
Mar 15, 2022
31. How to Bloom Where You Are Planted - Part 1
Mar 08, 2022
30. Is the Best Medicine Really Laughter?
Mar 01, 2022
29. Are You the Most Positive Person You Know?
Feb 22, 2022
28. It Is All Going to Be Okay
Feb 15, 2022
27. Are You Mad at God?
Feb 08, 2022
26. Who Do You Think You Are?
Feb 01, 2022
25. If the New Year Hasn't Begun the Way You Hoped
Jan 25, 2022
24. The Day After the Most Depressing Day of the Year
Jan 18, 2022
23. 10 Simple Ways to Remain Joyful This Winter
Jan 11, 2022
22. Hello 2022: The Year We Are Ready For
Jan 04, 2022
21. Goodbye to 2021: Time to Reflect, Grow, and Celebrate
Dec 28, 2021
20. Merry Christmas 2021 - My Gift to You
Dec 21, 2021
19. When It Is Not the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Dec 14, 2021
18. 7 Helpful Ways to Enjoy a Stress-Free Season
Dec 07, 2021
17. Keeping Christmas Simple and Special This Year
Nov 30, 2021
16. The Difference a Grateful Heart Makes
Nov 23, 2021
15. Now Is Not the Time to Give Up
Nov 16, 2021
14. Why Is Living Encouraged Such A Big Deal?
Nov 09, 2021
13. Help and Hope for Discouraging Days
Nov 02, 2021
12. If God Is Not in a Hurry, Why Are We?
Oct 26, 2021
11. 6 Ways to Begin Each Day Encouraged and Hopeful
Oct 19, 2021
10. Waiting Times Don't Need to Be Wasted Times
Oct 12, 2021
09. How to Be a Positive Person in a Negative World
Oct 05, 2021
08. How to Stay Encouraged in Seasons of Transition
Sep 28, 2021
07. When Letting Go Is Best, But Not Easy
Sep 21, 2021
06. Can Our Differences Make Us Better and Not Bitter?
Sep 14, 2021
05. Don't Think You're Special? Think Again.
Sep 07, 2021
04. Living Overwhelmed?
Aug 31, 2021
03. Rest from Worry
Aug 24, 2021
02. The Imperfect Real Life
Aug 13, 2021
01. Why a Podcast?
Aug 10, 2021
Introduction to Encouragement for Real Life
Aug 03, 2021