In this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Molly Stillman, author of If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry to discuss how laughter and faith carried her through trauma and grief. Molly shares the process of writing her memoir, balancing humor with hard truths, and embedding seeds of faith that speak to both believers and seekers.

Together, we explore laughter as a God-given healing gift, backed by scripture and science, and offer insights on managing emotions and choosing joy in challenging times.

Primary Takeaways:

• Laughter as a healing gift from God
• The balance of humor and hardship in storytelling
• Tips for managing emotions with faith and resilience

Tune in for an inspiring blend of hope, humor, and heartfelt wisdom.

Connect with Molly:

Website: Still Being Molly

Book: If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry

Instagram: @stillbeingmolly

In this inspiring episode of Hard and Holy, I sit down with Faith Broussard Cade, an acclaimed counselor and author of Shine Bright Anyway. Faith shares her powerful story of resilience after a traumatic brain injury changed the course of her life, shifting her from an aspiring journalist to a mental health professional. Despite chronic health challenges and career upheaval, Faith started a self-love affirmation challenge on Instagram that grew into a movement touching the lives of many—including celebrities.

Together, we explore the importance of empathy, self-compassion, and vulnerability in the face of adversity. Faith’s insights on setting boundaries, seeking help, and managing mental health will encourage you to embrace your worth, trust the process, and stay deeply connected to yourself and your community.

We’ll dive into:

• How to cultivate empathy and self-compassion during difficult seasons
• Practical tips on setting healthy boundaries and seeking help when needed
• Insights into managing mental health while balancing personal and professional challenges
• The power of vulnerability in building stronger connections with yourself and others
• Faith’s journey from a traumatic brain injury to creating a global self-love movement

I hope this episode inspires you to let your light shine, even on the darkest days.

For more insights and updates on Faith’s events and workshops, connect with her on Instagram, her website, and Facebook.

Shine Bright Anyway: https://www.amazon.com/Shine-Bright-Anyway-Affirmations-Declare/dp/1400246636

Connect with Faith: https://www.fleurdelisspeaks.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/fleurdelisspeaks?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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

In this solo episode, Cass unpacks the beauty of "sacred sob sessions"—those profound, solitary moments when tears become a form of worship and communion with God.

Sharing personal stories, insights from her time at Denver Seminary, and wisdom from the book Burnout, Cass explores the emotional, spiritual, and physiological benefits of crying.

Drawing on the work of theologian Katherine Sonderegger, she delves into God’s omnipotence and empathy in relation to human suffering, offering a nuanced perspective on the problem of evil and God’s presence in our pain. Through biblical references such as Psalm 56:8 and Romans 8, she reveals how tears can act as silent prayers, expressions of repentance, and channels for divine connection.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Tears as a form of worship and silent prayer: exploring how tears express repentance, longing, and spiritual vulnerability.
• God’s omnipotence and empathy in suffering: incorporating Sonderegger’s insights into the problem of evil, highlighting God’s compassionate presence through Jesus’s tears.
• Therapeutic benefits of crying: understanding the mental, emotional, and physiological relief that comes from a good cry.
• Creating space for vulnerability: encouraging listeners to embrace their emotions and invite God into their most tender moments.

With practical advice for expressing emotions and a heartfelt prayer for comfort and healing, this episode offers a compassionate reminder that our tears can be a powerful form of worship and a pathway to experiencing God’s presence in our most vulnerable moments.

Ready for a good cry? Grab some tissues, invite Jesus into the mix, and let’s turn those tears into a sacred sob session. Because sometimes, a little holy waterworks is exactly what the soul needs!

Links and Resources

Learn How to Hack Your Crying with Erin Moon on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/erin.h.moon

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski

https://a.co/d/0y0JgKh

Cassandra's "Cry Sesh" Playlist

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/cry-sesh/pl.u-V9D77Mpia3akkR

Katherine Sonderegger's Systematic Theology: The Doctrine of God, Volume 1

https://a.co/d/2QH1v20

Connect with Cass: https://www.cassandraspeer.com

Follow on Instagram @cassandralspeer

https://www.instagram.com/cassandralspeer

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