07: How to set personal social media boundaries with Lauren Birks
Oh, social media. We love it, and loathe it. Is it a blessing or curse? Friend or foe? How can we use it for good? In this episode, our hosts—Cassandra Amezquita and Meagan Ruff—interview Lauren Birks about her own experience with
06: “Normal,” zoos, and our favorite TikTok trends
As things start to go back to “normal,” is normal even a possibility now? How do you feel about the zoo? What about your favorite TikTok trend? Yes, we’re covering it all and more in this episode—a freestyle conversation between your hosts featuring
84: How to identify grief and find a way out with Donna Shea
Only those who’ve experienced grief can truly understand what it means to grieve. For Donna Shea to understand, it meant the loss of her daughter to cancer. Now as case manager at The Salvation Army emergency family shelter in San Antonio and
05: How to grow a marriage with Megan and Francisco Villalpando
How do you grow a relationship after years of marriage? Megan and Francisco Villalpando are on the show to share more from their own experience after six years married. As the Western Territorial Young Adult Missions and Communications Director and California
83: How to pursue what makes you come alive with Emily Ley
Emily is the founder of Simplified, a brand of planners and home organization tools for busy women, the bestselling author of four books, a wife and mother of three. She didn’t always have a life she loved, however, and her latest
04: Extending grace as parents with Majors Rob and Stacy Birks
As parents, there are thousands of questions that go through our heads each day. Some are strategic, such as, "Should we have a strict routine or just go with the flow?" Some are silly: "Is it normal that my toddler always wants
82: ‘The Salvation Army saved my life’ with Joseph Valadez
When Joseph Valadez posted a photo of himself outside of his college, he never could've seen the response coming. Joseph, in a white tank top, beige chino shorts and black Nike Cortez, held a graduation certificate in his tattooed arms. It went
03: Shining a light on mental health with Lt. Corrin Perry
To begin shining a light on mental health we must allow for vulnerability. By sharing our stories and listening respectfully we can begin to uncover that we are not alone in our struggles. Whether you or your loved one struggle with mental
02: How self-care is soul-care with Major Lynn Stewart
Self-care is a cliche topic these days, but it is crucial to our functioning as healthy human beings. Whether it's getting enough sleep, enjoying a small treat or taking a day of Sabbath rest, as Major Lynn Stewart puts it, self-care
01: Welcome to The Commons Podcast
Listen and subscribe to The Commons Podcast now. Below is a transcript of the episode, edited for readability. For more information on the people and ideas in the episode, see the links at the bottom of this post. * * * Cassandra
81: How to find hope in the darkness of depression with Sarah J. Robinson
This episode discusses depression, self-harm and suicide. If you need someone to talk to when you feel overwhelmed, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK. If you struggle with mental illness, you are not alone. In fact, 1 in
Introducing The Commons Podcast
The Commons is a new podcast from The Salvation Army's Caring Magazine for women who want to talk about relevant and relatable topics—from mental health to marriage, and even what the Bible says about equity. The show is co-hosted by Cassandra