We all have decisions to make:

• Big ones
• Small ones
• Emotional ones
• Expensive ones 😅
• And sometimes decisions that keep us awake at 2 a.m. replaying imaginary conversations.

Today we’re talking about:
👉 How do you make a wise decision that truly lines up with God’s will?

Not just:
“What do I WANT to do?”

But:
“What would HONOR God?”

Inspired by the teaching of
Charles Stanley

These questions become a filter for wise decision-making.

📖 Identity matters.

If you belong to Christ, every decision reflects that identity.

Sometimes a “good” opportunity is still the wrong direction.

💬 Discuss:

• calling
• priorities
• season of life
• stewardship

👉 God’s will ALWAYS matches God’s Word.

If Scripture clearly says no…
we don’t need to keep praying hoping for a different answer 😅

Not:

• “Can I get away with it?”
  But:
• “Does this glorify Him?”

📖 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Talk about:

• short-term emotion vs long-term impact
• wisdom vs impulse
• consequences spiritually, emotionally, financially, relationally

That’s such a revealing question.

💬 If we’re embarrassed to pray about it…that tells us something.

Not excitement.
Not adrenaline.
Not panic relief.

👉 REAL peace.

This is powerful.

Talk about:

• living with integrity
• future consequences
• avoiding avoidable regret

📖 God honors obedience.

Not always immediately.
But always eternally.

Confess sin.
Remove barriers between you and God.

📖 Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God…”

💬 Sin clouds discernment.

Commit yourself to doing God’s will—even if it’s not your preferred outcome.

This one is HARD. Because usually we already know what we WANT God to say 😅

📖 1 Chronicles 14:14–15

David waited for God’s instruction instead of rushing ahead.

💬 Waiting is not punishment.
Waiting is preparation.

Family.
Friends.
Culture.
Social media.
Fear of disappointing people.

📖 2 Samuel 7:3

Even good people can sometimes give premature advice.

Not one emotional prayer.

👉 Ongoing prayer.

📖 Philippians 4:6–7

God often clarifies direction through continued communion with Him.

📖 Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”

📖 Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

💬 Peace becomes the umpire.

Not pressure.
Not fear.
Not manipulation.

Sometimes God’s direction:

• won’t make sense immediately
• won’t feel comfortable
• won’t be the easiest option

But obedience and trust go together.

📖 Proverbs 28:26
“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.”

📖 Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

He wants to lead you.

Not before.

Impulsive decisions often create unnecessary pain.

Ever wish you could go back and give your middle school self a hug… and maybe a better training bra? 😆

This week, we’re joined by Cathrine’s daughter Emily (film & theater grad 🎬) as we dive into the coming-of-age classic Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret—and WOW did it take us back.

From awkward junior high dances 💃 to spin-the-bottle disasters 😳 to whispering honest prayers to God… this episode is equal parts hilarious, nostalgic, and surprisingly meaningful.

• What even is a “coming-of-age” film—and why we love them 🎬
• A quick recap of Margaret (thank you, Cathrine 👏)
• Our own painfully awkward growing-up moments:
  • Training bras that did absolutely nothing 😆
  • Spin the bottle… but make it PG (hand kisses only ✋💋)
  • Junior high dances = social anxiety with a DJ 🎧
• The real questions we had about life, identity… and God 🙏

Margaret talks to God—even when she’s confused.

And honestly? So do we.

We unpack what it looks like to:

• Bring your real questions to God
• Navigate seasons where nothing feels clear
• Trust that God isn’t overwhelmed by your uncertainty

👉 Truth: God isn’t intimidated by your questions… but He also doesn’t leave you stuck in confusion.

1. Awkward seasons are normal (even necessary)
👉 Growth often looks like confusion before clarity

2. You don’t have to rush identity
👉 The world pushes labels—God invites relationship

3. God welcomes honest questions
👉 You can come to Him unsure—and still be heard

James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault…”

Instead of trying to figure everything out…
👉 talk to God about it.

No perfect words.
No polished prayers.
Just honesty.

• Controlling behavior masked as “leadership”
• Isolation tactics (“don’t tell others” energy 😬)
• and so much more…

• “WAIT… how did this even happen???” 😳
• “At what point would YOU have started to feel something was off?”
• “Have you ever ignored a red flag… and later thought, ‘Yep. There it was.’?”

1. We overthink EVERYTHING (from dinner… to texting “K” and spiraling for 3 hours 😅)
2. Simplicity is usually the better path—but for some reason we fight it like it owes us money
3. Peace comes when we stop complicating what God already made simple

Ever taken something super simple… and turned it into a full-blown emotional documentary in your head? Same. 🙋‍♀️

Today we’re talking about why we do this—especially as women—and why “simple” can feel uncomfortable, risky, or even… wrong.

Cathrine dives into:

• Why our brains are wired to overanalyze EVERYTHING
• How past hurt and broken trust can make us question even the simplest situations
• Why sometimes we’re not overthinking… we’re actually over-protecting 💔

We also chat about insights from Jordan Peterson—how overthinking can stem from broken trust, and why (his words, not ours 😆) you should never lie to an over-thinker… because they will find it.

Matthew 11:30 (NIV)
“My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus didn’t design this life to feel like mental gymnastics 24/7.
Somewhere along the way… we added all the extra weight.

Sometimes we overthink because we’ve been hurt before.
We’re trying to read between lines that may not even exist anymore.

But not everything is a puzzle to solve.
Not every silence is a signal.
Not every “K” means something is wrong. 😆

Pick ONE thing you’re overcomplicating this week…
and choose the simplest response instead.

Don’t rewrite the text.
Don’t replay the conversation.
Don’t build the storyline.

Just… let it be.

✨ Featuring Cathrine, Tracy and our special guest and Humor Contributor Valerie

1. You don’t have to be perfect to be a great mom—your baby just needs YOU. 💛

Let’s be real… the pressure is intense. But perfection isn’t the goal—presence is.

2. Shocking truths of motherhood 😳👶
No one tells you everything… but we will.

3. This season is hard, emotional, and exhausting… but it’s also sacred and meaningful. ✨🙏
Some of the most stretching moments become the most shaping ones.

📖 Scripture:
Isaiah 40:11
“He tends his flock like a shepherd… he gently leads those that have young.” 🐑💕

⸻

🎯 Call to Action:

💗 Moms: Give yourself permission to not have it all together today—rest, ask for help, or let something go.

👵 Grandmas: Reach out to a new mom this week and simply say, “I’m here for you—no pressure, just love.”

⸻

🎧 Whether you’re in the thick of new motherhood or supporting someone who is—this episode is your reminder:
You’re doing better than you think. And you’re not alone. 💛

💥 HOOK:
Marriage gets tired. Kids grow up and get opinions. And suddenly you’re asking…
“Wait… what just happened to my life?!”

Welcome to Part 2 of our Dear Cathrine & Tracy series—where we tackle real-life questions with honesty, humor, and just enough wisdom to keep us all out of trouble 😅

Listener Katie asks the REAL question…
How do you stay connected when you're tired, busy, and date nights cost more than your first car? 🚗💸

💡 Real-Life Tips We Shared:

• Greet your spouse first thing (game changer 🙌)
  → “Joel said what he remembers most growing up in a home with 5 boys is dad being greeted by mom when he walked in the door.” 🥹
• Micro-connection > perfection
  → 10 intentional minutes beats 2 distracted hours
• At-home fun ideas:
  • 🎈 Balloon volleyball (yes… it’s as competitive as it sounds)
  • 🎬 Movie night—but make it intentional (no phones!)
  • 💬 “88 Great Conversation Starter” cards (because “How was your day?” is TIRED 😴)
• After kids leave?
  → You don’t find connection… you build it again

🔥 Bottom line: Fun doesn’t just happen—you decide it does.

We’re seeing a HUGE shift with younger generations…
Less tolerance for discomfort, more distance from family.

👀 So what’s healthy and what’s not?

✔️ Healthy Boundaries:

• Protecting yourself from abuse or toxic patterns
• Clear communication + consistent expectations
• Space with the goal of peace—not punishment

🚩 Unhealthy Patterns:

• Cutting people off over discomfort instead of working through it
• Avoiding hard conversations
• Labeling everything as “toxic” to escape growth

💬 Truth bomb:
Not everything uncomfortable is unhealthy… sometimes it’s just called being in a family 😬

This one hits DEEP.

Different beliefs.
Different lifestyles.
Different paths than you prayed for.

So what do you do?

💡 Our Encouragement:

• 🙏 Pray (yes… keep going even when it’s been YEARS)
• 🤐 “Keep your mouth shut and the welcome mat out”
• ❤️ Love them where they are—not where you wish they were
• 🌱 Trust that God is working… even when you don’t see it

👉 You are NOT the Holy Spirit.
(And honestly… that’s a relief 😅)

1. Connection in marriage is built in small, daily moments—not big, expensive nights out
2. Boundaries should protect relationships, not replace them
3. With your adult kids: lead with love, stay consistent in faith, and trust God with the outcome

📖 Psalm 1

Be the tree 🌳
Planted. Rooted. Steady.

Not tossed around by culture, opinions, or emotions.

When you stay grounded in God’s Word…
➡️ You’ll have wisdom in marriage
➡️ Grace in relationships
➡️ Peace when things feel out of control

💍 Married?
→ Plan a date night THIS WEEK (yes—even at home counts 🍿)

🤝 Struggling in a relationship?
→ Extend the olive branch first 🕊️

👩‍👧 Hurting over your adult kids’ choices?
→ Keep loving. Keep praying. Keep the door open.

💬 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Got a question or situation you want us to tackle?
Send it in—you might be featured on a future episode! 

Email: tracy@tracydegraaf.com and make sure you tell us if you want to be kept anonymous

🎧 Life Happens… Laugh Anyway
Because sometimes the best thing you can do…
is laugh, love, and trust God anyway 💛

Ever wish you had a couple wise (and slightly sarcastic) friends to answer your real-life questions?

Well… you do. 😄

In this episode, we pulled from YOUR submissions and tackled everything from dreamy anniversary trips to airplane drama to the age-old question…

👉 “Why is it so hard to make friends as an adult?!”

Let’s just say… we’ve got thoughts. 😉

First of all… FORTY YEARS?! 👏👏👏
We LOVE this question. Congrats to Gail and David

We talk about:

• 💕 Destinations
• 🔥 Florida 
• 🧳 Missouri (Branson - Sights and Sounds Theatre)
• 🗺️ Michigan

👉 Bottom line: Don't go to Florida in August. Ha ha.

You’re minding your business… sitting upright… being a model passenger…

…and the person behind you turns your seat into a punching bag. 😑

We discuss:

• 🙃 How to handle this (without ending up on a viral video)
• 😇 How to keep your testimony in tact
• 😂 When you just might need to get your doctor involved with a little prescription

👉 Pro tip: You can be kind AND direct. (Shocking, we know.)

This one hit home… and if you’ve ever thought:

👉 “I have acquaintances… but I want real friendship”

You are NOT alone.

We talk about:

• 👯‍♀️ Why friendships were easier in earlier seasons (hello, built-in proximity!)
• 📅 Why schedules feel impossible once kids + life enter the chat
• 💛 Moving from surface-level to soul-level friendship

👉 Truth bomb:
Deep friendship isn’t instant—it’s built over time, consistency, and showing up (even when it’s inconvenient).

📖 Galatians 6:9
“Let us not grow weary in doing good…”

Even in friendships. Even in marriage. Even in awkward airplane moments. (no kicking) 😉

💌 Got a question you want us to tackle?

Send us your best “Dear Cathrine & Tracy” scenarios—we’re just getting started! Part 2 next week. Please send your submissions to tracy@tracydegraaf.com

📲 And share this episode with a friend you’d totally go on a 40th anniversary trip with someday 💕✈️

Sometimes the simplest messages are the most powerful. ❤️ In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine dive into the heartwarming documentary about the life and legacy of Fred Rogers — the gentle soul behind the beloved children’s show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

What we discovered surprised us… moved us… and honestly made us tear up a little. 🥹

This episode takes a nostalgic trip back to a kinder, simpler time — and reminds us why being a good neighbor still matters today.

We share an overview of the beautiful documentary about Fred Rogers and why it felt so authentic and heartfelt.

It brought back memories of a time when:

• Life felt slower 🕰️

• People spoke with kindness 🤝

• Children were valued and heard 🧸

And here’s something we didn’t know…

👉 Fred Rogers wasn’t just a TV personality — he was an ordained minister who truly lived out his calling every single day.

His show wasn’t just entertainment.
It was ministry disguised as children’s television.

How cool is that? ✝️

Cathrine shares what stood out to her the most in the documentary, including the sincerity and compassion that defined Fred Rogers’ life.

Some of the biggest takeaways:

• Kindness is incredibly powerful 💛

• Gentle influence often changes hearts more than loud voices

• Loving people well is never wasted

Tracy reflects on what struck her the most — and why Fred Rogers’ quiet faith and consistent kindness were so impactful.

It’s easy to think ministry only happens in a church building… but Fred Rogers showed us something different:

✨ Your calling can show up anywhere.

A television set.
A neighborhood.
A simple conversation.

Sometimes the greatest ministry is simply loving the person right in front of you.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

You are not an accident.
You were intentionally designed by God for a purpose. 🙌

And sometimes those “good works” look less like big moments and more like everyday kindness.

A smile.
A conversation.
A helping hand.

This week ask yourself:

👉 Who is my neighbor?

Not just the person living next door — but the coworker, the cashier, the friend who’s struggling, or the person God places in your path today.

You don’t have to change the world…

Just love the neighbor in front of you. ❤️

Do one intentional act of kindness for someone around you.

It could be:

• Sending an encouraging text 📱

• Helping someone who needs it 🤝

• Letting someone know they matter 💛

Small kindnesses can make a BIG difference.

If this episode encouraged you:

⭐ Share it with a friend
⭐ Leave us a review
⭐ And most importantly…

Go love your neighbor.

Because the world could use a little more Mr. Rogers energy. 🧥👟

Tiny, everyday joys… the kind we usually rush right past. ☕🌿🚿

In this episode, Cathrine & Tracy slow down and celebrate the little things that make a BIG difference in our mood, our mindset, and even our faith.

Because sometimes the best medicine for a stressful day is not a life overhaul… it's noticing the good stuff already around you.

The podcast kicks off with some hilarious and heartfelt stories about the small things that bring joy to life.

Not just the taste.

The smell.
The look.
The temperature.
The warm mug in your hands.

It’s basically a five-sense joy moment before the day even begins...and you HAVE TO hear about how Cathrine rolls through a drive-thru at coffee time. So funny.

Remember when the world thought computers were going to crash and civilization might end? 😅

Tracy shares a funny Y2K moment that reminds us how humans can panic about the big things… while missing the simple joys right in front of us.

Sounds simple… until you don’t have one.

Tracy shares a powerful story from Haiti where:

• The drinking water was hot and smoky

• The shower water was cold

Which definitely made one want to shower in their drinking water and drink their shower water....And suddenly something as ordinary as a steaming hot shower and an ice cold glass of water become luxury-level joy.

Perspective changes everything.

Clutter stresses us out. 😵‍💫

A space that feels:

• orderly

• balanced

• peaceful

…creates a surprising sense of emotional calm.

Because your environment affects your brain more than you think.

Tracy shares a sweet preschool memory:

“A place for everything, and everything in its place.”

Turns out… that little childhood lesson still brings joy today.

Kids bring:

• chaos

• noise

• mess

…but also laugh-out-loud moments and pure delight.

They remind us to enjoy the little things we adults often overlook.

A cozy couch at the end of a long day?

Highly underrated joy.

Sometimes peace looks like:

• sitting down

• putting your feet up

• breathing for five minutes

Plants are more than décor.

They’re tiny living reminders of growth, beauty, and nurturing something good.

Plus… they just make a home feel alive. 🌱

✨ Fresh sheets on the bed
✨ A clean kitchen in the morning
✨ The smell of rain
✨ A text from a friend
✨ Watching the sunset
✨ Quiet time before the house wakes up

Turns out… joy often hides in ordinary moments.

Science actually confirms what many of us feel instinctively.

Small daily joys can:

✅ Reduce stress
✅ Improve mood
✅ Build emotional resilience
✅ Increase gratitude
✅ Help us stay present

Psychologists call these “micro-moments of joy.”

And the more we notice them, the happier we become.

The Bible reminds us that the good things we enjoy aren’t random.

They’re gifts.

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”

Even the small joys—coffee, laughter, a cozy home—are reminders of God's goodness.

This week try something simple:

🙏 Ask God to heighten your awareness of the little joys around you.

Look for them.

Notice them.

Thank Him for them.

Because when you start paying attention…

the small joys suddenly feel a lot bigger.

What’s one little joy that makes a BIG difference in your day?

Tell us!

We might share it in a future episode. 🎙️ Email us at: tracy@tracydegraaf.com

In this episode, we’re getting honest about what serving really looks like — when it’s beautiful, when it’s exhausting, and when it’s horribly wonderful (yes, Camp Daniel, we’re looking at you 👀).

From caregiving to mission trips, from BSF leadership to grandkids, from election judge duty to marriage… we’re unpacking how serving shapes us in ways we didn’t see coming.

Because serving isn’t just something you do.
It’s someone you’re becoming. 💛

We share about:

• Times we didn’t feel like serving (Camp Daniel. BSF. Caregiving for aging parents.)

• Learning boundaries before burnout.

• Why marriage isn’t 50/50 — it’s 100/100.

• Serving adult kids and those sweet grandbabies 🥰

• Showing up in your community (jury duty, voting, election judge life 🇺🇸)

Serving has a way of exposing:

• Pride

• Impatience

• Control

• That tiny desire to be noticed 🙃

Maybe serving isn’t just about helping them —
maybe it’s about shaping you.

It builds humility.
It grows spiritual muscle.
It stretches your heart.

You cannot serve everywhere at full capacity all the time.

We talk about serving in:

• Church

• Family

• Work

• Community (jury duty, voting, civic responsibility)

• Country

Season matters.
Assignment matters.
Obedience in the ordinary matters.

You can:

• Serve resentfully.

• Serve for applause.

• Serve out of obligation.

• Or serve with joy.

Same action. Different spirit.

The question we’re asking:
Am I serving from love… or pressure?

✨ Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

✨ Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”

If Jesus washed feet… we can show up faithfully. 🫶

Pick ONE place you’ve been resisting.

Serve there intentionally.

Don’t post about it.
Don’t announce it.
Don’t wait for credit.

Just do it.

And let God do the shaping. 🤍

Serving isn’t about being impressive.
It’s about being faithful.

And the quiet, unseen acts?
They might be the ones changing you the most. ✨

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs a reminder that what they’re doing matters — even when no one claps. 👏💛

👉 Who am I now?

In this episode, we’re talking about identity shifts — the kind that come with motherhood, empty nests 🪶, retirement 👋, career pivots 🔄, and those unexpected “well this wasn’t the plan” moments of life.

Spoiler alert: Nothing is wrong with you.
Something shifted — and that changes everything.

If life feels disorienting right now, take a deep breath 😮‍💨
Identity isn’t fixed — it evolves through seasons.

• Motherhood changes us 🌱

• Kids growing up changes us 🪶

• Careers ending or pivoting change us 🚪

• Retirement changes us ⏳

Feeling off-balance doesn’t mean you lost yourself — it means old roles no longer fit. And that’s not failure… it’s transition.

✨ You’re not broken. You’re becoming.

Let’s clear this up:

🚫 You didn’t disappear
🚫 Your value didn’t shrink
🚫 Your purpose didn’t expire

What changed was the assignment.

• Parenting doesn’t end — it transforms 👩‍👧‍👦

• Work may end — meaning doesn’t 🧩

• Being “needed” looks different now — and that can hurt 💔

But here’s the truth bomb 💣
👉 You are not starting over. You are continuing forward — wiser, deeper, and more grounded.

You don’t think your way into a new identity — you live your way into it.

Try this 👇

🟣 Clarify your values
What actually gives your life meaning now?

🟣 Release or reframe roles
Which ones energize you ⚡ and which ones drain you 😩?

🟣 Write a simple narrative

• What changed?

• What is this season asking of me?

• Who am I becoming?

🟣 Anchor your days
Tiny rituals 🕯️. Small habits 📝. Consistent practices 💪.

Every small action is a vote 🗳️ for your future self.

✔️ Choose one small action that aligns with who you’re becoming
✔️ Tell a friend 🧡 (identity grows in community)
✔️ Remember: SHIFT happens — but you’re still here

🎧 If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who’s in a transition
⭐ Leave a review — it helps more women find this message
💬 DM me and tell me: What’s shifting in your life right now? Or email tracy@tracydegraaf.com

Because when life changes… you don’t disappear — you adapt. 💥💛

In this episode, Cathrine and Tracy get real about the faith lessons that only come the hard way—and why we wouldn’t trade them now. 💛

📖 Cathrine’s Faith Lessons

• Lessons learned through personal experience (and a peek at Abraham’s journey of faith)

• What it looks like to obey God when the outcome is unclear

• Trusting God when the promise feels delayed ⏳

📖 Tracy’s Faith Lessons

• Faith forged through real life, real pain, and real growth

• Lessons inspired by the life of Paul—especially learning faith through suffering, criticism, and surrender

• Discovering that obedience doesn’t always look impressive…but it’s always powerful

👶 Trust & Parenting
Letting go of control and trusting that it will all work out.
And reminding ourselves:

If it’s not worked out yet… it’s not the end.

💬 How to Respond to Criticism Without Losing Your Mind
Sometimes the most spiritual response is simply:
👉 “Thank you for sharing.”
(No arguing. No spiraling. No subtweeting 😅)

🚪 Knowing When to Let Go and Walk Away
Some relationships, conversations, or situations aren’t meant to be carried forever.
(Yes, we’re talking about just letting go.  👀)

• James 1:3 – Faith tested produces perseverance

• Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is confidence in what we hope for, assurance about what we do not see

📝 Take a few minutes this week to reflect:

• What have you learned the hard way?

• How has God used struggle to shape your faith?

• Can you pause and say thank you—even for the hard lessons?

Gratitude changes everything. 💛

If this episode encouraged you, made you laugh, or made you feel seen—share it with a friend who’s learning faith the hard way too.

Because you’re not behind… you’re being formed. 🙌✨

Have you ever written something down and thought, “Ohhh… so THAT’S what’s going on inside me”?
That’s the magic of journaling. In this episode, we’re unpacking why journaling matters, how it helps us emotionally and spiritually, and why putting pen to paper can be a game-changer for your faith and mental health.

• A safe place to process thoughts without interruption 🐱

• Helps slow racing thoughts and calm big emotions

• A way to be honest without filtering for anyone else

• Turns feelings into words—and words into clarity

• Creates space to reflect instead of react

• Helps identify patterns, triggers, and growth over time

• Offers perspective you don’t always see in the moment

• Encourages intentional living instead of emotional autopilot

Research shows journaling can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety 🧘‍♀️

• Improve emotional regulation

• Increase self-awareness

• Boost memory and comprehension

• Strengthen mental health and resilience

• Help process trauma and grief

• Improve sleep and overall mood 😴✨

(And honestly? It’s cheaper than therapy… but still pairs nicely with it 😉)

• A daily practice of writing three handwritten pages first thing in the morning

• Stream-of-consciousness—no editing, no judging

• Clears mental clutter and quiets inner noise

• Not meant to be “good writing,” just honest writing

• Think of it as brain detox 🧠➡️🗑️

• Moves prayers from vague thoughts to intentional conversation

• Helps you track God’s faithfulness over time 📖✨

• Creates space to listen, not just talk

• Allows you to process emotions with God instead of hiding them

• Becomes a written testimony of growth, healing, and answered prayers

Proverbs 20:5 (NIV)

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.” 🌊✍️

Psalm 102:18 (NIV)

“Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” 📜🙌

Journaling isn’t about being poetic or profound.
It’s about being present, honest, and willing to show up—one page at a time.

Grab a notebook. Start messy. God meets us there. ❤️📓

Cathrine kicks things off with four newer laws that many Illinois residents probably missed — because they quietly passed, sound fake, or make you say, “Wait… that’s real?” 😳
Think modern rules that still somehow feel wildly unnecessary or over-complicated.

Tracy brings the heat with 12 ridiculous Illinois laws 
From strange restrictions to laws that feel like they were written during the horse-and-buggy era, these will have you laughing, groaning, and questioning reality.

Cathrine fires back with 13 more absurd laws, proving that Illinois has range when it comes to legal nonsense. Some are outdated. Some are confusing. Some just make you wonder who hurt the lawmaker that day.

Along the way, we talk about weird and outrageous Illinois taxes — the kind that hit everyday people and feel especially painful at checkout.
Because nothing says “welcome to adulthood” like being taxed on things you didn’t even know could be taxed. 🧾😵‍💫

Matthew 22:20–22 (NIV)
“Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Jesus reminds us: yes, governments are flawed… but our ultimate allegiance is to God. 🙏

In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine share practical, funny, real-life tips for first-time cruisers—so you can actually enjoy your vacation instead of just surviving it.

From accidental drink showers 🍹 to sunscreen disasters 🧴, we’re talking about what really happens on a cruise and what we’re so glad we knew (or wish we had known).

• 🚫 Rookie cruising mistakes to avoid

• 🧲 What to pack that will make your cabin instantly better (hint: magnets!)

• ⏳ Why patience is an essential carry-on item

• 🗺️ Why printed maps still matter (yes, really)

• 🃏 Simple games that turn waiting time into connection time

• 👒 The infamous Bushwacker incident in St. Thomas

• 🌞 How Kenny became the unintended star of the cruise (twice)

• ❤️ Why the best part of the trip wasn’t the ports—but the people

After raising five kids, Tracy and her husband decided it was time to stop waiting for “someday” and start enjoying the life God has given them—retirement dreams, milestone birthdays, and all.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24

Joy isn’t irresponsible.
Rest isn’t selfish.
Sometimes faith looks like booking the trip. ✨

Make a plan to enjoy your life.

It doesn’t have to be extravagant:

• 🚢 A Caribbean cruise

• ⛵ A twilight sail on Lake Michigan

• 🍷 A road trip to a winery

• 🚗 A simple weekend away

Put it on the calendar. Start the conversation. Choose joy on purpose.

Did this episode make you laugh?
Are you planning a getaway now?
Tag us, message us, or share the episode with someone who needs permission to enjoy their life a little more. 💛

Life happens… but laughter (and vacations) don’t happen by accident. 😉

🌧️ ➡️ 🌈

In this deeply moving episode, Tracy & Cathrine open the door to honest conversations about loss, hope, grief, healing, and the God who walks with us through every storm. 💛

We begin by sharing the powerful true story of Gina Kell and Michael Spehn, whose losses collided and created a new beginning.

Their journey—from unthinkable grief to unexpected hope—invites all of us to see that God can bring color even after the darkest storm. 🌦️❤️

Tracy & Cathrine get vulnerable as we share:

• Seasons where life made zero sense 😣

• Moments we were pretty sure God had left the chat (He hadn’t) 🙃

• How God faithfully met us—gently, quietly, and powerfully—right in the middle of our tears 💛

These real-life stories remind every listener that grief is not a sign of weakness—it’s an invitation for God to draw near.

Since we’re both marinating in Job these days 🧂📘, we take a deeper dive into:

• Why Job’s suffering felt endless and confusing

• How his friends said ALL the wrong things (we all know a friend like that… 🙄)

• The emotional honesty Job brought before God

• The truth that God never abandoned him, even in silence

• The restoration God brought after the season of suffering

Job teaches us that grief is not a detour—it’s part of the human story, and God sits in the ashes with us. 🪵🔥

📖 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
A reminder that God is always doing something new—even when we can’t see it yet. 🌱

📖 Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Our anchor in times when we don’t know which way is up. 🧭

Enjoy your seasons of peace fully ☀️
And when seasons of suffering come—
trust the Lord.
He will see you through. 🙏💛🌈

In today’s episode, Tracy & Cathrine break down digital hygiene—what it is, why it matters, and how to avoid becoming besties with the scammers in your inbox. We’re talking malware, fake bills, AI scams, passwords, social media safety, AND the Bible. Because Jesus loves you, but those scammers do not. 🙃

• Digital Hygiene: Good online habits that keep you safe.

• Malware: Bad software that harms or steals from your device.

• Ransomware: Malware that locks your stuff until you pay.

• Phishing: Fake messages pretending to be real to steal info.

• Data Breach: When your private info gets exposed or stolen.

• Antivirus: Software that finds and removes digital threats.

• Two-Step Authentication: A double lock on your accounts.

Scammers thrive on urgency. AI makes their messages look legit.
Look for:
✔ Weird email addresses
✔ Strange spelling
✔ Links that look “off”
✔ “Pay immediately” or “final notice” vibes

Biblical Wisdom:
“The prudent see danger and take refuge.” — Proverbs 22:3
Wisdom starts with slowing down.

AI can fake voices, logos, bills… basically everything except common sense.
Before you click or pay:
✔ Verify on the official site
✔ Use phone numbers you look up yourself
✔ Compare to past statements

Biblical Wisdom:
“Test everything; hold fast to what is good.” — 1 Thess. 5:21

Scams isolate people. Community protects people.
Encourage your listeners to:
✔ Ask trusted people before paying strange bills
✔ Help older relatives with technology
✔ Share warnings about new scams

Biblical Wisdom:
“Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” — Phil. 2:4

• 🔒 Use strong, unique passwords

• 🧩 Use a password manager

• 🔄 Enable automatic software updates

• 🚫 Don’t share personal info on social media (address, phone, travel plans)

• 👤 Don’t accept friend requests from strangers

• 🛑 Don’t click links from unknown senders

• 🔑 Turn on two-step authentication for everything

• 💻 Install antivirus & run regular scans

• Protects your identity

• Keeps your devices healthy

• Reduces your risk of scams

• Keeps your data safe

• Gives you peace of mind (and fewer panic attacks at 11pm over a sketchy email)

Digital discernment matters.
Wisdom, patience, and community are God’s tools for navigating modern scams.
Protecting yourself online is another way to walk wisely.

This week’s challenge:
👉 Before clicking ANY link… stop, breathe, and verify.
Bonus points: Help someone else avoid a scam.

• Budget creep is REAL 😬

• Dust… everywhere… forever… 😵‍💫

• Decision fatigue: “Do we want matte, satin, or eggshell?” 😵

• A kitchen that looks like grown-ups live there 🙌

• Organization heaven — A coffee bar and spices where you need them 🥲

• Corner grate thingy to dry dishrag from Amazon for my sink  😍

• Everything has its place… which means less yelling “WHO TOOK MY SPATULA?” 🍴

• Budget restraints meant sacrifices 🥸

• Living without a kitchen = character development 😒

• Having to make 1,000 decisions while hungry 🍕

Just because they’ve done 100 kitchens doesn’t mean
1️⃣ They know your taste
2️⃣ They understand your workflow
3️⃣ They have to live with the results 👀

Ask questions, double-check plans, get details in writing, and don’t be afraid to speak up. 🗣️✨

(Using the CabinetNow / ChatGPT top 10 common renovation mistakes list as inspiration)

• Do set a realistic timeline — double it if you want to stay sane ⏳

• Do measure EVERYTHING twice (and then still expect something to be off) 📏

• Do prioritize storage — future you will thank you 🙏

• Do plan for outlets — your air fryer, mixer, blender, and toaster need homes ⚡

• Do think long-term — trendy today, dated tomorrow 🤷‍♀️

• Don’t skip the budget cushion — unexpected expenses are basically guaranteed 💸

• Don’t choose style over function — pretty means nothing if it doesn’t work 👎

• Don’t ignore lighting — kitchens need layers 💡

• Don’t cheap out on hardware — these little suckers matter 🎯

• Don’t forget the workflow — beauty + usability = kitchen bliss 😍

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

✨ A great reminder that God does renovations too — in our homes and our hearts. 🙌

🎯 Have a budget before you start!
Not a “soft idea.” Not a “general number.” A real, honest, sit-down-and-do-the-math budget.
Then add 10–20% because kitchens love surprises. 😅

💡 Main Takeaways:
1️⃣ Weakness Isn’t Failure, It’s an Invitation – God doesn’t shame your struggles; He uses them to draw you closer. 🙌
2️⃣ Weakness Keeps Us Dependent on God – When life feels too heavy, it’s a reminder to lean on the One who carries it all. 🤲
3️⃣ Weakness ≠ Worthlessness – Your weakness is not your identity; it’s a doorway to God’s grace. 💗

🧭 Call to Action:
This week, notice one area of weakness — worry, patience, self-control — and instead of shame, pray:
👉 “God, show Your strength here.”
Then thank Him when you see His power at work. ✨

📖 Verse of the Week:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

💬 Closing Thought:
When you feel weak — physically, emotionally, or spiritually — remember: that’s where God’s strength shines brightest. 💪 Life happens, but we can laugh anyway because He’s strong when we’re not. 🌤️

💡 Today’s Topic: AI Friendships and Relationships — When Technology Feels a Little Too Friendly!

👩‍💻 From wearable “Friend” devices to chatbot companions, people are forming emotional bonds with artificial intelligence. But what happens when a “fake friend” starts taking the place of faith and real human connection?

In this episode, Tracy dives deep — with humor, honesty, and biblical wisdom — into the rise of AI “relationships” and what it means for our souls. Cathrine also packs a punch with plenty of wit and research!

1. The “Friend Necklace” Phenomenon 💬

   • Exploring AI companionship and why it’s so appealing.

   • It remembers your details, comforts you, and never argues… but is that really a friendship?

2. Job’s Story & God’s Gift of Free Will 🙏

   • Tracy reflects on how God trusted Job to choose faith — even when life hurt.

   • True love and faith can’t be programmed. God values FREE WILL, not artificial devotion.

3. The Negative Effects of AI Friendships 💔

   • Fake companionship can deepen loneliness and depression.

   • It gives the illusion of connection without the substance of relationship.

   • God designed us for real people — to sharpen, encourage, and comfort each other (Proverbs 27:17).

   • 🔹 Humor moment: “AI doesn’t judge you… but it also won't rescue you when a set of vintage lockers falls on top of you!” 😂 #true story!

4. The Dangerous Allure of “Memory” 🧠💔

   • The fact that AI remembers your details makes it feel human.

   • But it can subtly replace prayer and faith conversations.

   • Instead of turning to God for comfort, we may start turning to a machine.

   • 🔹 Humor moment: “If your prayer life sounds suspiciously like you’re talking to Alexa… it’s time to reboot your soul.” 😂

God doesn’t just understand us...He knows us, heals us, and redeems us. 💖 He did create us afterall!

AI can simulate empathy, but only the Holy Spirit can transform a heart.

👭 Pick one of these and do it today:
📞 Call or visit a real friend.
💬 Check on someone who’s been quiet.
🙏 Pray with an actual person — no screens, no apps, just presence.
✨ Feel the joy of real connection — the way God designed it.

“Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
— Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV)

🤖 AI can listen, but it can’t lift you up.
God’s design for healing is human connection — powered by love, laughter, and His presence. 💞

We just came off a 3½-day ministry retreat 🏕️ full of laughter, worship, and divine moments (plus a few hilarious behind-the-scenes stories 🤪). That time away reminded us that ministry is not just what we do — it’s who we are in Christ.

Ministry means serving others out of love and obedience to Jesus. ❤️
We share stories from our retreat about using our gifts — from hospitality and encouragement to prayer and leadership — all for God’s glory. 🙌

💬 Key takeaway: Every act of service matters, whether it’s preaching, praying, or disposing of rotten veggies... God sees it all.

Let’s be honest… ministry can be messy because people are messy!
From burnout and long hours to spiritual warfare and personality clashes 😬 — the struggles are real.

But Scripture reminds us:
📖 “Love one another deeply, from the heart.” — 1 Peter 1:22

💬 Key takeaway: When ministry feels hard, love harder. That’s where Jesus shows up.

Even through the challenges, the joy of seeing lives changed, hearts lifted, and the Holy Spirit move makes it all worth it. 💖

📖 “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
📖 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

💬 Key takeaway: The reward isn’t in the recognition — it’s in the transformation.

You are called. You are equipped. You are needed. 💪
Find out how God wired you to serve with a free assessment below:
👉 lifeway.com/en/articles/women-leadership-spiritual-gifts-growth-service

Ask God this week:

“Where can I serve — even in small ways — to show Your love to someone else?”
Then take action. ❤️

Hugs,

Tracy and Cathrine

In this powerful yet hilariously honest episode, Tracy and Cathrine dive into cancer screenings and early detection—a topic most people avoid, ignore, or delay. Tracy opens with her personal breast cancer survival story involving an oncologist, radiation, and a possible perk: a higher, tighter boob. 😂

From there, the conversation gets real about why cancer screenings matter and how early detection saves lives.

Whether you’re overdue for a mammogram, avoiding a colonoscopy out of dread, or you don’t even know what screenings you need at your age—this episode is your friendly (faith-filled) wake-up call. 💗🎀

• Tracy’s breast cancer story: raw, real, and funny

• Why staying current on cancer screenings matters

• The top cancer screenings by age (simple checklist!)

• Why people procrastinate medical tests (and how to stop)

• How caring for your health honors God

• Your challenge: schedule ONE overdue screening today!

“Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… honor God with your bodies.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV)

“No one hates their own body but takes care of it…”
— Ephesians 5:29 (NIV)

📅 Book ONE screening today. Stop waiting for a “better time.”
Screenshot your appointment and tag us: #LaughingThroughScreenings

• American Cancer Society screening guidelines

• CDC early detection resources

Follow the show and never miss an episode!
🌐 Website: LifeHappensLaughAnywayPodcast.com
📧 Email us: tracy@tracydegraaf.com

Please follow, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people with hope and truth through humor! 💛

We’ll unpack the wildest details, share what surprised us most, and talk about what this story reveals about human nature, deception, and spiritual alertness. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about a catfish — it’s about what happens when darkness disguises itself in plain sight.

• Summary of the Documentary:
  A small-town Michigan story that spiraled from anonymous bullying texts into one of the most bizarre catfishing cases ever — and the truth no one saw coming.

• Most Shocking Moments:

  • The “outsider mom” who struggled to fit in.

  • The overcompensation — volunteering, coaching, inserting herself deeply in school life.

  • Her close, almost second-mom relationship with her daughter’s boyfriend, Owen.

  • The staggering discovery that the tormenter was inside the house all along.

• The Investigation Unfolds:

  • A few key people — including Kloe’s family — grew suspicious early on.

  • Kendra constantly on her phone, juggling two devices.

  • The doc leaves out some local efforts to expose the bully before law enforcement cracked the case.

• The Aftermath:

  • Lauryn reportedly grew suspicious of her own mom before the truth came out.

  • Despite it all, Lauryn and Kendra have maintained some form of relationship.

  • Kendra didn’t serve her full sentence — released August 2024, now on supervised release until February 2027.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

This verse reminds us that deception rarely shows up wearing horns — it usually comes disguised as something trustworthy, familiar, or even well-intentioned.

Stay alert — not anxious, but aware. Evil operates quietly when we stop paying attention.
God calls us to live with discernment, grounded in His Word, anchored in truth, and guided by love.

This week, let’s live out 1 Peter 5:8.

• Ask God to help you stay spiritually alert.

• Pay attention to the small “red flags” He puts in your path.

• And share this episode with a friend who loves a good true story with a deeper meaning.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in.
👉 Connect with us: tracy@tracydegraaf.com
💬 Tell us: Have you ever been catfished — online or emotionally? We’d love to hear your story!

Ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you’re there? Or spent 10 minutes looking for your glasses… while they were on your head? Yep, us too. 😂

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating (and funny) world of brain health for women over 50. The good news? God designed our brains to be renewed—and there are practical things we can do to keep them strong, sharp, and full of joy.

Join us in the podlab as we talk about:
✅ Why stress shrinks your memory (and how laughter heals it)
✅ How sleep is like your brain’s nightly housekeeping crew
✅ Everyday habits that literally grow new brain cells
✅ 10 surprising brain health facts you probably didn’t know
✅ And of course… our own hilarious “brain fog” stories that will make you feel a whole lot better about your zipper, your keys, and your fridge.

💡 Scripture of the Episode: Romans 12:2 — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

🎧 Whether you’re looking for tips to improve memory, lower stress, or just laugh your way through menopause brain, this episode is for you.

1. Stress can shrink your memory, but laughter, prayer, and gratitude help protect it.

2. Sleep is your brain’s fuel—skip it and you skip the cleanup your brain desperately needs.

3. Healthy habits like movement, diet, learning, hydration and connection can keep your brain sharper at any age.

This week, pick one brain-healthy habit to focus on—better sleep, less stress, or a fun new brain challenge. Then share your funniest “brain fog” moment with us! We’d love to laugh with you and maybe share it on the next episode. Email your comments to tracy@tracydegraaf.com

First of all....A GIANT thank you to our friend and Humor Contributor Karren who suggested we take a look at today's topic. We ❤️ your suggestions, so if you're reading this...and I think you are...send your ideas to Tracy@tracydegraaf.com. What documentary have you watched lately that made you go Hmmmmm? What hot topic would you like to hear us discuss? We want to know. 

Now, back to the episode...

What's up with the Amish? 😱 And what can their way of life teach us about our own walk with Christ? In this episode, we take a closer look at the Amish culture — their faith, their separation from the world, and how we should or more importantly shouldn't think about such groups.

We’ll explore:

1. Who Are the Amish?

• Origins: breakaway from Mennonites in the 1600s.
• Core values: simplicity, humility, obedience, community.
• Separation from “the world” (why no cars, electricity, etc.).

3. Review of several documentaries about the Amish

• Affirmation of Jesus as Savior, Son of God, crucified and risen.
• Faith tied to obedience and daily living, not just personal conversion.
• Community over individualism.
• Nonresistance and taking the Sermon on the Mount literally.
• Baptism as an adult decision to follow Christ.

4. Our own experiences with Amish

• Cathrine's time working at the Fishermans Wife and in Michigan
• Me - I’ve been to an Amish restaurant and furniture store

5. Fun Facts: How Amish Are YOU quiz. 

📖 Scripture of the Episode:
Romans 12:2 (NIV) — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

✅ Takeaway: The Amish challenge us to reflect on how we live out our faith in today’s world.

🎯 Call to Action: Don’t jump to judgment with other religions because we all fall short. Instead, let’s approach others with humility and grace.

Reality TV isn’t reality—and The Biggest Loser proves it. Join Tracy and Cathrine as they recap the three-part documentary Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser. From crawling over the finish line to doughnut-on-the-floor challenges, they discuss the outrageous moments, the emotional cost of extreme weight loss, and how humor helps us survive the absurdity.

Plus, personal stories from both hosts about lifelong weight struggles, the emotional marination behind excess weight, and the lessons God teaches us about grace, perspective, and resilience.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How reality shows manipulate drama and entertainment over genuine health.
• Why emotional health is crucial in any weight journey.
• How humor and faith help us process life’s absurdities and setbacks.

Spiritual Inspiration: 1 Samuel 16:7 – God sees the heart, not the scale.

Listener Challenge: Laugh at something absurd in your week, reflect on your “reality vs. reality TV” moments, and take one healthy step toward emotional or physical well-being.

THANK YOU to all Humor Contributors who allow this podcast to exist. If you would like to crossover from Humor Consumer to Humor Contributor....it's just $5 per month to bring a little more laughter into the world. Go here to sponsor the show. 

We’ll share:

• How we personally use music for everything from workouts to worship to road trips.

• Cathrine shares a touching story about how music ministered to her and her mom in mom's final moments.

• Tracy shares how music helps her connect with God and how it helped during a season of grief

💡 3 Big Takeaways:

1. Music can calm your heart and mind — powerful for stress, anxiety, or grief.

2. Music can energize and sharpen your focus — perfect for work, driving, or workouts.

3. Music can carry you through emotions into worship and prayer — connecting your heart to God.

📚 Science Spotlight:
Did you know there’s a song called Weightless by Marconi Union that was scientifically designed with sound therapists to slow your heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce cortisol (your stress hormone)? In tests, it lowered stress by up to 65% — more than most people get from tea or a bubble bath.

📖 Scripture of the Episode:
"Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp." — Psalm 147:7 (NIV)

Music is more than entertainment. It’s God’s idea—woven into the Bible over 800 times—and it can be a way to pray, to give thanks, and to steady your heart in every season.

🎵 Featured Song Recommendation:
Red Sea Road by Ellie Holcomb – a reminder that God makes a way when there seems to be no way.

✅ Listener Challenge:
Today, use music intentionally—whether to lift your mood, calm your heart, or focus your mind. Play it while you walk, pray, clean, or work. Then tell us how it impacted your day!

This week, we dive into how humor builds real resilience when life feels like a hurricane (and maybe your pants are part of the problem).

Stick with us until the very end—you’ll hear:

• When her STRESS was interrupted by something unexpected and hysterical

• The day the dog ran onto the school bus 🚍🐕

• Why living next door to the Fraziers was a comedy goldmine

• How her mom made her laugh while yelling at her through a “toothless” grin 🦷🙃

• A “REAL mom moment” that was… VERY EXCITING

• The time her audience was laughing for all the wrong reasons 👖😳

💬 Listener Shoutout:
Jessica writes:

“You don’t know me but I love your podcast! You two are encouraging, witty, and crack me up. You help me stress less, keep my faith strong, and find humor every day. Sometimes I laugh out loud with earbuds in—and yes, people stare, but it’s worth it!”

📖 James 1:2-4 — “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…”

• Joy is a choice, not a circumstance.

• Trials refine us. Laughter is a way of choosing joy despite pain.

📖 Philippians 4:11-13 — “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…”

• Paul was beaten, imprisoned, and still rejoiced.

• Joy + laughter = spiritual strength.

This week, choose joy on purpose:

• 📓 Keep a Joy Journal of moments that make you smile.

• 👯‍♀️ Surround yourself with encouraging, funny believers.

• 🙏 Pray not just for deliverance, but for a light heart.

• And when life gets chaotic, say: “This is very exciting!” (Then laugh anyway.)

Tag us when you do—we’ll be laughing with you.

In this laugh-out-loud episode, we dive into the ridiculous world of stupid criminals—the ones who got caught because they:

• Forgot to cut eye holes in their disguise 😵

• Used their own pay stub as a robbery note 💰

• Called 911 to complain about the quality of their drugs 🚔

From selfie-snapping burglars to “masterminds” who ran straight into a police station, these stories prove that while crime doesn’t pay, it sure can be entertaining.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• “What Were They Thinking?!” — Real-life heists gone hilariously wrong.

• Selfie Sabotage — Criminals caught by their own camera roll.

• It Gets Worse — How one bad decision snowballed into an even worse one.

Why You’ll Love It:
If you need a good belly laugh, this episode’s got you covered. We bring the absurd, the ironic, and the “you-can’t-make-this-up” moments from the police blotter straight to your ears. Perfect for your commute, your workout, or when you just need a mood lift.

🎧 Listen Now — and maybe lock your doors…
📩 Contact Us! If this episode made you laugh so hard you cried, please for the love of all things encouraging, contact us and let us know you're having a good time. We NEED that. You can email us at tracy@tracydegraaf.com. Love you all!!!!

Here’s what you’ll hear:

1️⃣ The Late Dr. Charles Stanley said connection isn’t optional—it’s vital. Cathrine shares how his words shaped her view of relationships. 👨🏽‍⚕️📚

2️⃣ Tracy breaks down a powerful 2023 study showing that in-person connection boosted happiness way more than video chats or texts. Zoom has its place, but our brains want the real deal! 🧠❤️
📖 Link to study: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34957-4

3️⃣ Intentional connection—we get real about making time:
👩🏼‍💻 Our bestie Bible study is on Zoom—but we still meet up IRL!
🎗️ Tracy’s dad showed up during cancer.
🏥 Cathrine is showing up for Emily today.
💞 Lynn got a real-life hug.
🩺 Cathrine keeps it personal with in-person doctor visits.

💡 Inspiration from Scripture:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another…”
— Hebrews 10:24–25 📖

Who do you need to connect with in person today?
📅 Make the plan.
🕰️ Invest the time.
💙 Connect with the Lord—and with people.

You’ll both be better for it. Laugh Anyway. 🤗😂

Feeling discouraged? Overwhelmed? Gassy? (You have to listen to this episode to understand the gassy part!) 😂 You’re in good company.

In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine get real (and ridiculous) about what to do when life is a lot. Whether you're in a tough season or just having one of those blah-for-no-reason days, this episode is your practical pep talk—with stories, scripture, and some side-splitting laughter. Yes, wheezing too!

Here’s what’s inside:
✨ Cathrine shares from the heart—from giving birth to a daughter with a heart defect, to financial stress and work injuries. She opens up about how her faith family (and real family) helped her find strength.
💔 Tracy talks about depression and motherhood, including losing her mom to cancer as a young wife/mom and raising five boys through chaos—like that one Christmas Eve with ZERO presents. (Don’t worry. Her siblings saved the day!)
📱 Our favorite encouragement habits: daily “Top 10 Thankful” texts and ridiculous memes
📖 Encouraging Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15, Psalm 32:8, and a side mention of Isaiah 41:10 because, let’s be honest, it’s Tracy’s life verse.

😂 BONUS: Tracy talked Cathrine into revealing her most embarrassing VBS moment—which may or may not involve falling, peeing (just a little), and a well-timed toot. In return, Tracy shared a prayer that had a little extra gas in the amen. These are too good to keep secret.

👂 Why being a good listener might be the most powerful form of encouragement
💡 Plus: Cathrine shares insights from the late, great Dr. Charles Stanley on how to truly uplift others

• ✅ Texting our daily Top 10 Thankful List

• ✅ Memes that crack us up when life feels heavy

• ✅ Just being present—a quiet listener is sometimes the best gift

• ✅ Scripture + prayer at the right time
  ("Sometimes it’s not a sermon, it’s a text that says: 'I see you. I'm praying. Also… here's a squirrel meme.'")

We need encouragement too! 🧡
If something in this episode blessed you, made you laugh, or reminded you that you’re not alone, let us know! Send a message to: 📧 tracy@tracydegraaf.com or find us on social media. We hate to be overly needy, but sometimes we just need to know you're out there. Your words might just be the boost we need today.

🎧 Listen now—and don’t forget to laugh anyway.

🚗 ✈️  It’s a special kind of chaos, folks.

In this episode, Cathrine shares her Michigan mishaps, Tracy spills the Georgia tea (spoiler alert: no ghosts were spotted, but drama was), and together they recount the realities of traveling with adult children.

From TSA misunderstandings to parking fines, chicken-gate to haunted tours with zero hauntings, and Adam’s free-range audio choices—this episode is jam-packed with laugh-out-loud moments and actually helpful travel tips.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Whether your grown kids are your favorite travel buddies or your favorite reason to book separate flights—this one's for you.

💡 Tracy’s Pitfall Prevention Tips for Traveling with Adult Kids:

1. Expectations Are Everything – Clarify the vibe: chill or tourist-mode?

2. Divide and Delegate – Everyone hauls their own stuff (and loses it, too).

3. Book Smart – Remember the Alamo… but don’t book with them.

4. Use Communication Tools – Notes, pins, group texts = sanity savers.

5. Build in Downtime – Don’t overpack the schedule—or the emotional luggage.

6. Pack Earbuds. Seriously. – Looking at you, Adam.

7. Laugh Anyway – The mishaps are tomorrow’s best stories. Trust us.

📖 Scriptures for the Journey:

• Deuteronomy 6:6–7 – “Impress them on your children...” (Yes, even the adult ones.)

• Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” Especially when your parking ticket is $45.

💬 Final Thoughts:
Vacations with adult kids can be full of love, laughter, and a little low-key trauma—but they're worth it. If nothing else, they give you podcast content for days.

🎧 Listen now and tell us: What’s your best (or worst) family vacation story?
👇 Drop us a DM or comment—we’re all ears and packing cubes.

📢 CTA:
If this made you laugh or gave you travel hope, leave us a review and share it with your favorite travel buddy (or your adult kid who still thinks you’re paying for the chicken).

Marriage isn’t all candlelit dinners and couple’s massages—it’s chewed-off fingernails on the floor 🧟‍♂️, nose-blowing symphonies 🎺, and communication glitches that could power a sitcom. In this episode, we unpack the everyday bumps of long-term relationships and how laughter can be the ultimate suspension system. 🚗💨

💬 In this episode:

• Why relationship "bumps" are normal (yes, even the weird ones 🤪)

• How humor diffuses tension (spoiler: dead plants may be involved 🌿🪦)

• Tracy and Cathrine share their favorite marriage maintenance tools that keep love from going flat 🛠️💕

🛠️ Marriage Maintenance Tips:

1. 📆 Schedule the tune-ups

2. 😆 Laugh at yourself first

3. 😂 Use inside jokes as glue

4. 🔄 Reframe arguments with humor

5. 🥊 Fight fair, joke fairer (know when funny helps vs. hurts)

📖 Scripture of the Week:
Proverbs 17:22 – "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." 💊🦴

👉 Call to Action:
Whatever your next “bump” is—try reframing it. Add a little humor, sprinkle grace, and remember you're on the same team. 👫💗

Ready to laugh and say “WAIT—what?!” We’re diving into the weird and wonderful facts about the human body that will make you marvel at how God made you (and maybe check your leg hair situation).

👵 Cathrine reveals her daily shaving drama—three hairs per pore, y’all.
🦵 Tracy, meanwhile, is apparently part dolphin.
💡 From glowing in the dark to belly button ecosystems, we’ve got trivia you’ll be dying to tell your friends.

🔬 We cover:

• Why your leg hair might vanish or explode with age
• Why shaving doesn’t actually make hair grow back thicker
• What your pinky finger has to do with hand strength
• How your stomach is basically a self-renewing acid tank
• And why God cares about every single hair on your body

📖 Spiritual Takeaway:
Matthew 10:30 — “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
God made you with hilarious, holy detail. You are fearfully, wonderfully, and sometimes weirdly made.

🎯 Call to Action:
Laugh at your quirks this week. Then thank God for designing you with purpose—even your random leg hairs. And don’t forget to tell us your weird body or hair story. Seriously, we want to hear it!

😂 Life happens.
🙏 Laugh anyway.

In this gripping episode of Life Happens, Laugh Anyway, we’re taking a sharp turn into the true crime world (like we sometimes do) to talk about the chilling 1982 Tylenol murders—a case that shook America and changed consumer safety forever. 💥

Inspired by the documentary Painkiller: the Tylenol Murders, we cover:

• What exactly happened when seven innocent people died after taking Tylenol 💀

• The man behind the extortion letter—James Lewis—and his shady rap sheet 🕵️‍♂️

• What life was like in 1982 before fear crept into our medicine cabinets 🧼📺🎶

• How this crime redefined public trust and the safety measures we now take for granted 🛡️

But, we don’t stop there.

We dig deep into the value of a single life with a powerful passage from Luke 12:6–7 📖, and reflect on how God sees and cherishes each person—even in the midst of evil. 💛

• 🎬 Pop culture and fun trivia from 1982 (Cathrine got them mostly right. Muffin too.)

• 🔍 A breakdown of the murders, the investigation, and the unanswered questions

• ✝️ A faith-based perspective on the worth of a single human life

• 📣 A call to action: How we can honor life today in a world that too often devalues it

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God... you are worth more than many sparrows.”
— Luke 12:6–7 (NIV)

Today, be intentional about showing someone they matter. A kind word, a check-in, or just being present can make a powerful difference. ❤️

Or… honor the lives lost by living yours more alert, more grateful, and more compassionate. 🕯️

If this episode moved you—or gave you goosebumps—share it with a friend and leave us a review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Aches and pains with no explanation? 🦴 Waking up sore when all you did was sleep? 😩 Welcome to midlife! But don’t worry—we’re not just complaining today. We’re getting practical, honest, and yes...a little snarky about how to prevent those annoying aches and pains as we age. 👟💪

In this episode, we dig into:

🔸 What happens to hormones between 35–55 (hint: it’s not fun)
🔸 Why your muscles, bones, and joints are acting like divas
🔸 The real reason older people crave sweets 🍬
🔸 How to eat in a way that fights pain and supports aging bodies 🥦🥩
🔸 Whether supplements are your friend or a waste of money 💊
🔸 Why “use it or lose it” is more than just a gym slogan
🔸 The difference between joint pain and muscle pain—and which one is better 🙃
🔸 Encouragement from doctors and hilarious real-life stories along the way 🎉

💡 Bottom line: Aging is inevitable. Falling apart is optional.
You can feel better with the right info, movement, and mindset!

This episode is laugh-out-loud and full of truth! In the final installment of our “How to Enjoy Your Life” series, we’re talking about how humor has helped us survive the chaos of parenting, marriage, health scares, and even AI-generated profile pictures that were… well, hilariously wrong. 🤦‍♀️😂

👩‍⚕️ ER Update:
Cathrine gives us the scoop on her latest adventure in the emergency room. Spoiler alert: she's fine. But was it funny? Of course.

📚 Series Recap:
We look back at what we’ve covered so far:

• Health & Wellbeing

• The “Let Them” Theory & Relationships

• Finances

• Purpose

• Taking Responsibility

• Faith & Spirituality

• And now—Humor

🤣 Segment 1: Humor That Helped Us Survive

• Cathrine’s infamous pedicure panic story

• Tracy’s Christmas tree carwash catastrophe

• The time dirty laundry turned into dirty underwear at church

• And how AI tried to “help” us with wild makeovers: Tracy with 50 extra pounds and a tooth gap, Cathrine with no hair and a tiny head.

😂 Segment 2: Everyday Humor Habits

• How we intentionally make space for laughter:
  → Watching clean comedians
  → Sharing the Humor Consumer Playlist
  → Laughing on road trips… for hours
  → Scaring Cathrine (because it never gets old)

🌟 Segment 3: Encouragement for YOU
“If we can laugh through chaos, anyone can.”
We share 3 easy ways to bring more humor into your life:

1. Swap one news scroll for a 5-minute comedy clip

2. Rewatch your favorite funny movie

3. Call a friend who always makes you laugh

🙏 Segment 4: Humor + Faith
God is the author of joy—and He invites us to rejoice!
We reflect on:

• Psalm 126:2 – “Our mouths were filled with laughter…”

• Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine.”

• Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

• Ecclesiastes 8:15 – “So I commend the enjoyment of life…”

📧 Get Tracy’s Humor Consumer Playlist!
Sign up for her emails at [your website URL] to receive a list of clean comedians, funny shows, and laugh-out-loud videos she loves.

Don’t underestimate the power of a giggle, a snort, or a belly laugh. Life will always be unpredictable—but when we choose joy and sprinkle in humor, we really can enjoy our lives anyway.

💻 Website: [YourWebsiteHere.com]
📸 Instagram: [@YourHandle]
🎉 Facebook: Life Happens, Laugh Anyway Podcast
🛎 Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next!

• Opening Video: Very Funny Police Chase setting the stage for a message about divine pursuit.
• Psalm 139 Breakdown:
  • Verses 1–6: God’s Omniscience – He knows everything about us.
  • Verses 7–12: God’s Omnipresence – We can’t escape His presence.
  • Verses 13–18: God’s Omnipotence – He knit us together fearfully and wonderfully.
• Latin Word Fun: Learn the OMNIs in a memorable, Tracy-style breakdown.
• Personal Stories:
  • Tracy’s toddler logic about thumb-sucking and visibility (spoiler: God still sees us!)
  • A hilarious “Mom Stakeout” when her teenage son broke the law (he’s a respectable adult now… sort of )

Episode Summary:
Faith isn’t just about religion—it’s about relationship. In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Tracy and Cathrine share how their faith and spirituality fuel joy, resilience, and purpose in everyday life. With personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical habits, this episode offers inspiration for anyone seeking a deeper, more grounded way to enjoy life.

What We Cover in This Episode:

✨ It’s More Than Religion—It’s a Relationship

• Tracy shares how faith gives her purpose (with a nod to Episode 219)

• Cathrine reflects on how her relationship with God motivates her to keep moving forward and navigate life with hope

✨ How Faith Plays Out in Everyday Life

• The role of community through prayer groups, life groups, and serving at CCC

• Events like the banquet that deepen spiritual connection

• The trust it takes to walk in faith—choosing better, more hope-filled decisions

• How F.A.T.T.J. (Faith and Trust Through Jesus) shapes our daily choices

✨ Overcoming Common Faith Challenges

• Feeling spiritually dry or distant from God

• Burnout and disillusionment with religion or church hurt

• Rekindling your spiritual spark through small habits: prayer, nature, gratitude, and meaningful connection

📖 Scripture Highlight:
Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Key Takeaways:

• Faith is your compass in life—it grounds you and guides your steps

• Joy comes from nurturing your soul, not from your circumstances

• Building a strong spiritual life doesn’t require perfection—just small, consistent steps

Your Encouragement This Week:
JUST DO IT.
Start where you are.
Establish daily habits of faith and let God do the rest.

Call to Action:
Share this episode with a friend who could use encouragement in their faith walk.
Follow us on your favorite platform, and leave a review if this episode blessed you!

p.s. Enjoying the Life Happens Laugh Anyway Podcast? Become a sponsor by heading over to our podcast sponsor page at www.tracydegraaf.com and donating $5 per month (or any amount). Thank you for your support.

Welcome back to our series "How to Enjoy Your Life" — and today’s topic might just be the one that unlocks your joy the fastest. In this episode, we’re talking about the freedom that comes when you own your stuff, stay in your lane, and let go of the victim mindset.

Too often, we miss out on peace because we avoid accountability or get caught up in comparison. But Scripture reminds us in Galatians 6:4–5 that each of us is responsible for our own actions. There’s no greater joy than walking in personal integrity and freedom.

Here’s what we cover:

• How playing the victim keeps you stuck

• Why owning your mistakes helps you move forward

• The power of tough conversations and sincere apologies

• The beauty of staying in your lane and minding your own business

• How forgiveness — especially forgiving yourself — is a game-changer

• Insights from the book Thin Within on accountability and spiritual growth

🔔 Don’t miss the final challenge and powerful reminder in our Call to Action: Mind your own business — in the best way possible!

Scripture Highlight:
📖 Galatians 6:4–5 – “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”

💬 Let’s Connect!
What’s one area of responsibility you’re choosing to own this week? Email us at Tracy@tracydegraaf.com — we’d love to cheer you on!

🎧 Listen now and take your next step toward enjoying the life God has given you — one responsibility at a time.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• What it really means to “live with purpose” (and what it doesn’t)

• Cathrine’s take on purpose and her personal experience with it

• Tracy’s story of leaving her job to be present for her family—and how that led to comedy and cancer advocacy

• Why purpose brings deeper joy, especially during hard or mundane seasons

• Reflective questions to help you discover (or rediscover) your purpose

• How to overcome fear, comparison, or the lie that it’s too late

• A reminder from Ephesians 2:10 that you were created for good works

Practical Takeaways:

• Start small: kindness, service, and using your gifts in everyday ways

• Say YES to what fuels your soul—and NO to what drains it

• Build habits that align with your values

Scripture of the Week:
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Resources & Links:

• Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

• Leave a review if today’s episode inspired you!

• Learn more about Tracy’s comedy and cancer awareness mission at TracyDeGraaf.com

Share the Joy:
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who’s navigating a new season or could use some encouragement to live on purpose.

In this episode, we open our hearts and share personal experiences of navigating grief after the loss of a mother. Whether your relationship with your mom was close, complicated, or somewhere in between, grief can show up in unexpected ways.

Takeaways:

💔 Cathrine’s Experience – A tender reflection on the early stages of grief and the surprising waves that continue to come.

💬 Tracy’s Experience – The layered emotions of loss, including moments of peace, laughter, and longing.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 139:13–14
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!”
A reminder of the deep connection between mother and child—and the value of every life.

💡 CTA: Call Your Mother.
If your mom is still with you, take a moment today to reach out. A simple phone call can mean the world—to both of you.

If you enjoy the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast, please consider supporting us with a monthly donation of $5 (or any amount). You can support us by going here. Thanks so much.

Cathrine and Tracy

2. How Downsizing Can Help Regain Financial Footing

• Cathrine’s Story – Selling her house and the financial relief it brought.

• Tracy’s Story – Real-life experiences of financial struggles:

  • Stretching $20 to feed seven people for a week and encountering someone with an overflowing cart.

  • The humbling moment of a declined debit card.

  • When even a gym membership card was declined!

  • The unexpected kindness of a stranger who paid for her groceries.

3. Plan for Retirement – KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

• Sit down with a financial planner, family member, or even just a notebook and calculator to assess your situation.

• Understand your savings (IRA, 401k, etc.), Social Security benefits, pensions, and potential work options.

• Taking proactive steps now can create financial peace for the future.

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your increase; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." – Proverbs 3:9-10

✅ KNOW YOUR NUMBERS – Consider taking advantage of a free financial consultation with Edward Jones or another trusted financial advisor.
✅ Subscribe & Share – If you found this episode helpful, send it to a friend who could use encouragement in their financial journey!

🎧 Listen now and start taking steps toward financial peace!

Episode Summary:
Relationships are one of the greatest sources of joy in life—but how do we build and maintain meaningful ones? In this episode, we explore the value of all relationships and highlight the most important one: our relationship with Jesus. Cathrine and I share personal stories of how our faith has shaped our friendships, family connections, and even how we handle challenges. [Bonus: Tracy admits that she was judgmental of Cathrine's bikini top as she waved to Tracy like a crazy person while hanging laundry on the line.]

We’ll cover:
✅ Why quality matters more than quantity in relationships
✅ How to lead with love and grace in every interaction
✅ The importance of anchoring your life in Jesus (Matthew 22:37-39)

Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Prioritize Quality Relationships Over Quantity – Deep, meaningful connections bring more joy and fulfillment than having a large number of surface-level friendships. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, and be that kind of friend in return.

2️⃣ Lead with Love and Grace – Strong relationships require open communication, forgiveness, and understanding. Practicing Christ-like love helps us navigate conflict and strengthen our bonds.

3️⃣ Anchor Your Life in Jesus – The most important relationship you will ever have is with Jesus. When He is your foundation, every other relationship benefits. Matthew 22:37-39 reminds us to love God first and love others as ourselves.

✨ Tune in as we share personal stories and insights on how faith transforms relationships!

Resources & Mentions:
📖 Matthew 22:37-39
🙌 Need encouragement? We are here for you.
💌 Email us at tracy@tracydegraaf.com with your thoughts, comments, prayer requests.

🙏 If you are getting value from the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast, please support it with your prayers and consider crossing over from "Humor Consumer" to "Humor Contributor." Your support will keep the podcast going and growing. Most Humor Contributors donate $5 monthly. This pays for our current platform, email service, and editing help. Contributions also help Tracy and Cathrine to plan for growth. A few items on their wish list include hiring someone to help with tech. Tech is a constant struggle. (Your hosts were both born in the 60s.) Tracy and Cathrine also would like to improve their video situation with a camera and some additional equipment. Click here to sign up today to become a Humor Contributor. Thanks so much. Blessings on you!

Cathrine breaks down why we struggle with letting go of control and introduces practical tools to help you surrender outcomes and find peace. Tracy shares a personal story of someone walking out of her life and what that taught her about trust and release. We also explore spiritual alignment through Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God...” — grounding the “Let Them” approach in faith and letting God work.

Tracy shares how she came to the idea of living life with joy and freedom, and how personal experiences led her to value presence over pressure.

Cathrine introduces the concept popularized by Mel Robbins, explaining WHY we often cling to control and how “Let Them” offers a path to peace and authenticity.

• Main Tools: Perspective shifting, surrender practices, boundary awareness.
• Quick Tools: Breath work, journaling prompts, “Let Them” mantras.

Practical strategies to use “Let Them” in your everyday life. Learn to recognize what’s not yours to carry and how to trust both God and the process.

Tracy and Cathrine both share personal “let them” moments, unpacking the messiness of release and the beauty of learning to let go.

• Tracy’s Story: An honest look at a relationship that ended, how she wrestled with control, and what God revealed through it.

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

This verse anchors the episode’s message — when we stop striving and start trusting, we create space for divine peace.

Watch Mel Robbins’ Let Them video. Reflect on how God might be nudging you to let go, step back, and ENJOY your life more fully.

➡️ Takeaway Challenge: This week, when control creeps in, whisper “Let them.” Watch what unfolds.

• Mel Robbins – Let Them Theory Video 
• Journal Prompt: “What am I holding onto that’s not mine to control?”

Let us know: What’s your Let Them story? Share with us by emailing tracy@tracydegraaf.com

In this episode, discover actionable strategies for maintaining physical health with accountability, staying active, and tapping into mental health resources like counseling and medication when needed. We discuss the importance of implementing wellness practices on any budget, from finding free resources to the value of investing in yourself.

Along the way, enjoy our humorous anecdotes about set building, dealing with unexpected mishaps, and of course, our passion for bringing laughter into everyday life. Don't forget to sponsor our podcast and help us continue to create content that inspires and entertains!

You can become a sponsor by going here.

In the heart of our pod lab, we're diving into the mind-boggling story of 'Scamanda,' a gripping tale suggested by our friend Kim Teske. This episode unravels the layers of deception spun by Amanda C. Riley, a woman who captivated her community with a false narrative of cancer, pulling on heartstrings and pocketbooks alike.

Today, you will walk through...

• The crazy con job Amanda pulled over on people
• Tracy and Cathrine will share valuable tips on how to avoid being scammed
• They will discuss the challenging path to forgiveness when deceit shakes the foundation of trust.

As always, Tracy and Cathrine are armed with scripture and a call to action that you won't want to miss.

Dive into episode 113 and join us in uncovering the truth behind Scamanda's tangled web!

A note from your podcast hosts....

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✅ What to do if you don’t like your “Hi Betties” 🙋🏼‍♀️

🚫 Fashion DON’TS for women over 50

✅ Our best tips for loving the way you look 👀

As always, we share from God's word: Luke 12:22-23

Listen all the way to the end and be encouraged to...

Put on the full armor of God! Make sure to invest in your spiritual clothing…with time in the Word, prayer and connection with other Christians.

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1. Addressing the issue - Calling out the elephant in the room.
2. Overcoming Divisiveness - Wait. What? You mean it can be overcome?
3. Faith Over Fear - The real answers to the real problems.

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Join comedian Tracy DeGraaf and co-host Cathrine in this engaging episode of the "Life Happens, Laugh, Anyway" podcast as they explore the topic of outreach in everyday life and Christian ministry.

Discover what outreach really means and the impact it can have on individuals and communities. Through personal stories, humor, and insightful discussions, Tracy and Cathrine offer a fresh perspective on why outreach is essential and how anyone can be a part of it.

Together, they recount experiences of being "reach-er-outers," from mission trips and community service to creative outreach ideas like "egging houses" during Easter. They emphasize how outreach is more than just a service project; it's about being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.

Listen in as they dive into the spiritual and personal fulfillment that comes from outreach, the role of comedy in connecting with people, and how everyone, regardless of their profession or calling, can contribute to God's work. This episode is filled with laughter, warmth, and encouragement to use your unique gifts to make a difference in the world.

Listeners will enjoy Tracy and Cathrine's humorous take on Ozempic's catchy commercial tune, while gaining insight into the pros and cons of using such medication for weight loss. From their personal weight struggles to their views on the role of lifestyle changes, the discussion spans the serious to the comical.

Tune in to hear about real-life horror stories, explore alternatives to weight loss medications, and get inspired by the ladies' call to action—embracing health and humor as essential companions in life's journey. Don't miss their heartfelt exchange and playful banter that underline the importance of supporting each other through the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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• And...we are adding video to this podcast ASAP!

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• And...we are adding video to this podcast ASAP!

Welcome to episode 208 of the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway podcast, where comedian Tracy DeGraaf and her co-host/bestie, Cathrine, delve into the essential topic of disaster preparedness. Join them as they share humorous anecdotes, practical advice, and valuable insights on how to stay prepared for unexpected situations.

In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine guide you through the process of creating a 72-hour go bag. Segmented with wit and wisdom, they discuss the must-haves for your survival kit, the difference between "bug out" and "to-go" bags, and share personal stories of past camping and evacuation experiences.

Beyond the checklist of essentials like water, food, and first aid supplies, you'll enjoy lively discussions about emergency plans, survival strategies, and why a well-maintained sense of humor is a crucial part of preparedness.

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Welcome to the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway podcast episode 206 where the gals talk about something they know nothing about (firsthand that is)…GRANDPARENTING. Ha ha  

Hope you love it!

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Welcome to the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway podcast, where we kick off 2025 by reflecting on the whirlwind year of 2024. Join comedian Tracy DeGraaf and co-host Cathrine as they share their personal year in review, filled with highs, lows, and laughter in between.

In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine candidly discuss their experiences over the past year, including personal milestones, challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From navigating family events and managing stress to celebrating happy moments and setting new goals, their stories are relatable and infused with humor.

Tune in to hear how they grew throughout 2024, what they've taken away from their experiences, and what lies ahead for the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway podcast in 2025. Plus, enjoy their unique brand of comedy and a special call to action to help you reflect on your own year.

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Welcome to episode 204 of the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway podcast, where comedian Tracy DeGraaf and her co-host Cathrine dive into life's unpredictabilities with humor and faith. This episode kicks off with Tracy's unexpected first bout with COVID and the whirlwind holiday season, offering relatable tales of disruption and adaptability.

Join the engaging conversation as Tracy and Catherine explore biblical stories of individuals who faced significant life resets, drawing parallels and inspiration for contemporary times. Through lighthearted banter and profound reflections, this episode invites listeners to contemplate hitting the reset button for 2025 and embracing new beginnings with hope, resilience, and a sense of humor.

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Welcome to the "Life Happens, Laugh Anyway" podcast with your hosts, comedian Tracy DeGraaf and her bestie, Cathrine. In this episode, they delve into the harrowing yet fascinating world of Christmas disasters. From devastating floods in 1717 to a suspense-ridden airplane incident in 2009, the gals discuss the top 10 worst things ever to happen during the festive season. But it's not all doom and gloom; Tracy and Cathrine share personal stories of seasonal faux pas and laugh through the chaos with tales of forgotten Christmas trees and holiday mishaps. Plus, enjoy a special reading from Tracy's book that captures the many hilariously relatable chaotic moments of motherhood during the holidays. Finally, they reflect on the true spirit of Christmas, sharing meaningful scripture and offering heartwarming advice on how to lower stress and raise your holiday cheer. Tune in for a mix of history, humor, and heartfelt celebration.

In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine dive into the realm of Cyber Monday, sharing a list of quirky yet practical gift ideas for 2024. From high-tech gadgets like the "Black Falcon 4K" drone to thoughtful and heartfelt presents, they’ve got something for everyone on your list. Discover how to make your gift-giving personal and fun, ensuring you keep the laughter alive amidst the holiday rush.

Stay tuned for tales about their hilarious gift exchange party, complete with grab bag antics and a heap of fun with friends. As always, they wrap things up with a motivational scripture and a simple call to action, encouraging listeners to ask their loved ones what they'd truly love to receive this year.

• monthly platform fees
• email service fees
• editing costs
• equipment upgrades
• And...we are adding video to this podcast ASAP!

• monthly platform fees
• email service fees
• editing costs
• equipment upgrades
• And...we are adding video to this podcast ASAP!

Welcome back, humor enthusiasts, to the "Life Happens, Laugh Anyway" podcast! In this special 200th episode, comedian Tracy DeGraaf and her co-host and best friend, Cathrine, welcome their very first guests to the Pod Lab—their husbands, affectionately known as Muffin and Pooh.

Join the fun as the duo, along with their husbands Ron and Kenny, reminisce about their journey of friendship and community, sharing hilarious anecdotes from their lives together. From spontaneous road trips to late-night trivia, and even a memorable fireworks mishap, this episode is filled with laughter and warmth.

The hosts also discuss the importance of faith-based friendships and building a supportive community. With insights from their ongoing Bible study on becoming "Unoffendable," they highlight how spiritual growth and prayer strengthen their bond.

Don't miss this heartwarming celebration of friendship, faith, and the joy of doing life together. Tune in for laughs, love, and a reminder of the power of connection.

In this episode, Cathrine battles her fear of flying with a little help from medication, while Tracy takes charge with clever travel hacks. Whether it's navigating TSA lines, handling lost luggage, or simply surviving turbulence, the pair have got you covered with their tried-and-true advice.

Stay tuned for a special segment on the importance of planning ahead, along with a dose of inspiration from Proverbs 21:5.

Plus, discover how you can support the podcast and help Tracy and Cathrine continue bringing laughter to your Wednesdays.

Don't miss the laughter and insights as Tracy and Cathrine turn their travel tales into a fun-filled episode. Happy travels and tune in for a delightful journey!

SIDE NOTE: Do you LOVE the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

Tracy and Cathrine discuss the impact of mental health stigma, the historical context of mental health treatment, and the profound effect this has on families.
They delve into the family's experiences, shedding light on the complex interplay of genetics, environment, and trauma that contribute to schizophrenia.

Throughout the episode, the hosts provide insightful commentary on the documentary, sharing their thoughts on awareness, empathy, and the importance of understanding mental health. They also highlight the resilience and strength of the family as they cope with the challenges of mental illness.

Tune in for a thoughtful discussion that combines humor, compassion, and a call to action to take care of your mental health, all while pointing listeners towards hope and faith.

SIDE NOTE: Do you LOVE the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

As they approach their 200th episode milestone, Tracy and Cathrine also delve into a captivating review of the Christopher Reeve documentary. They explore the life, achievements, and legacy of the man who brought Superman to life on screen, reflecting on his inspiring journey after a tragic accident left him paralyzed.

Join Tracy and Cathrine as they share insights on perseverance, the power of love and support, and the importance of living a life full of purpose. This episode promises laughter, heartfelt moments, and a reminder of the extraordinary strength found in ordinary individuals.

Stay tuned for an uplifting scripture and a call to action to spread encouragement to those around you. Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, hop aboard the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway train, and enjoy the ride!

SIDE NOTE: Do you LOVE the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

Join the laughter as they share their favorite fall recipes, including Gooseberry Patch cookbooks and healthy options from health coach Lindy Flanagan. Discover creative and cost-effective ways to spruce up your home with nature-inspired decor and tips on preserving your pumpkins from pesky squirrels.

Stay tuned for a light-hearted discussion on the latest fall fashion trends, with Tracy and Catherine's candid takes on what's hot and what's not. Whether it's wide-leg jeans or ladylike shoes, they offer insights with their signature humor.

As always, the episode concludes with an uplifting message about faith, featuring a scripture from Deuteronomy 31:8, reminding listeners that "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you." Don't miss the chance to add a sprinkle of joy and inspiration to your fall season!

SIDE NOTE: Do you LOVE the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

Now back to our podcast...

Welcome back, humor consumers, to the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway podcast. Join comedian Tracy DeGraaf and her best friend and co-host, Cathrine, in the Pod Lab as they discuss episode number 194. With episode 200 approaching, they are seeking ideas from listeners to celebrate this milestone. Do you have any suggestions? Share your thoughts!

In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine dive into the art of communication, drawing insights from communication expert and attorney Jefferson Fisher. Discover practical tips on having difficult conversations and avoiding arguments, making communication a skill that can be improved. They explore strategies for fostering understanding, extending grace, and effectively conveying messages.

Join the conversation and learn how to communicate with confidence, ensuring your words edify and encourage others. Plus, don't miss Tracy's upcoming comedy show and their shout-out to sponsors who help keep the podcast running. Tune in for an engaging discussion that combines humor, insight, and a touch of faith.

SIDE NOTE: Do you LOVE the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

Join Tracy and Cathrine as they uncover the three core drivers of trust - authenticity, logic, and empathy. They also discuss practical ways to rebuild broken trust, drawing parallels with the delicate process of building a Lego set. The episode emphasizes the importance of communication and the role of trust in various relationships.

In addition, they share insights from their Bible study and point listeners to the ultimate source of trust - God. Listen in for a dose of humor, wisdom, and encouragement to navigate trust issues in your life.

SIDE NOTE: Do you LOVE the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

Welcome back Humor Consumers to Episode 192 of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast with hosts Comedian Tracy DeGraaf and her bff Cathrine.

This is part 2 of a series on TRUTH. Spoiler Alert: Truth matters a lot! Pull up a chair and grab your favorite cup of something warm and wonderful to absorb the truth about truth. 

 On this episode you will discover:

1. What the Bible says about truth.
2. How to live out truth. 
3. How to speak hard truth.

Scripture Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 12:19

CTA: Speak the truth in love.

Btw, we had a big old glitch at the end of recording so you will notice the sound changes and it might sound a little weird but rest assured we do not let ANYTHING stop us. We just keep swimming. We love you and we love the truth. May God bless all of us as we seek Him! 

Today, our topic is The Importance of Truth. What a concept. Please listen all the way to the end as there is a lot of encouragement there. Here's what you can expect to come away with from today's episode:

1. Why truth is important?
2. What is "Truthiness?" (This is so interesting!)
3. What are "Truth Bubbles?" (Also interesting!)
4. Truth and body language - Documentary on Prime Body Language Decoded

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:6 "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." John 14:6 "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Call to action: SEEK THE TRUTH by SEEKING JESUS

SIDE NOTE: Do you LOVE the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

1. How to save money on food
2. How to save money on gas
3. How to save money on utilities

Be aware...there are a few rabbit trails that the gals navigate with plenty of giggles in between. Hope you enjoy! As always a little spiritual encouragement closes the episode along with a call to action.

SIDE NOTE: Do you LOVE the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

We'll discuss the emotional speeches, the beautiful ceremony officiated by Tracy, and the amusing behind-the-scenes stories.

Plus, get tips on traditional Christian wedding ceremonies and hear about the power of family and friendship. Don't miss our scripture reading and call to action at the end. Tune in for a rollercoaster of emotions and laughs!

From navigating dress choices and managing stress to embracing the joyous moments, this episode is packed with heartfelt advice and humor.

Plus, they welcome a new sponsor Amy D. and discuss the importance of focusing on what truly matters – the marriage itself. Tune in for laughs, love, and life lessons!

P.S. Love the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

P.P.S. WE LOVE YOU. Thank you so much. 

Tracy and Cathrine

This episode covers everything from the benefits of having houseplants, the easiest plants to grow indoors, and the occasional plant murders committed by our hosts. They discuss their personal experiences with different types of plants, including the resilient pothos and the challenging Monstera. You'll also learn about some handy tools and resources to help you become a better plant parent.

As always, the episode concludes with an inspirational message pointing you to Jesus and the word of God, along with a call to action encouraging you to support your local floral shop and bring home a new plant.

Join Tracy and Cathrine for a fun and informative discussion that will make you appreciate the beauty and complexity of houseplants. Happy growing!

P.S. Love the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month. Click here to go to Tracy's website to help us offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

P.P.S. WE LOVE YOU. Thank you so much. 

Tracy and Cathrine

They provide an overview of the documentary, sharing insights into how this syndrome has affected Celine Dion's life and career. They also discuss other individuals who have faced similar challenges, losing their extraordinary gifts due to illness, and how they coped with these life-changing experiences.

Tracy and Cathrine share their own personal stories of loss and resilience, offering encouragement and hope through scripture and a heartfelt call to action. Don't miss this touching and inspiring episode that celebrates the strength of the human spirit and the unwavering power of faith.

P.S. Love the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month on Patreon. Your gift helps to offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

P.P.S. Want to give a one-time gift of any amount? Do that here. Tracy and Cathrine are always dreaming and setting growth goals to reach more people with humor and truth. Adding video to the podcast is one of those lofty goals and it costs money to create a set, purchase equipment, and get training. Your gift of any amount will help in those efforts. Thank you so much. 

In episode 185, comedian Tracy DeGraaf and her bestie co-host, Cathrine, delve into the intriguing topic of assertiveness, particularly focusing on women over 50. Join them for a 45-minute conversation that promises to be both enlightening and entertaining.

In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine explore...

• what assertiveness truly means and why it matters
• insights from psychotherapists
• personal anecdotes
• practical strategies to help you communicate more effectively and assertively

Whether you're looking to improve your relationships at work, home, or within your community, this episode offers valuable takeaways. Plus, as always, there's a sprinkle of humor and a touch of scripture to keep you inspired.

Don't miss out on this transformative episode! Tune in and learn how to speak your truth with kindness and respect, and maybe even change your life in the process.

Click this link to watch the YouTube video that Cathrine and Tracy mentioned. It is Dr. Jordan Peterson giving a lecture to college students on the topic of agreeableness (linked to assertiveness and the lack there of). It's great. He talks fast and he's super smart, so prepare yourself. 

P.S. Love the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month on Patreon. Your gift helps to offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

P.P.S. Want to give a one-time gift of any amount? Do that here. Tracy and Cathrine are always dreaming and setting growth goals to reach more people with humor and truth. Adding video to the podcast is one of those lofty goals and it costs money to create a set, purchase equipment, and get training. Your gift of any amount will help in those efforts. Thank you so much. 

Do you want to have thicker skin? Want to be less offended? Tune into Episode 184 of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast where co-hosts Tracy DeGraaf and her bff Cathrine talk about….

 * Brant Hansen’s book “Unoffendable”
 * Why we are so easily offended 🙃
 * Tips to stop being so offended 👍

Tracy will share a little from her experience as a performer and speaker when others have given their “two cents” worth of unsolicited advice. Yep. That’s the part that brought her to tears….cuz people are people. 😭😭😭

Scripture: Proverbs 19:11 and Matthew 5:38-39

CTA: Get the book, read the book, do it the tips.

Have a great week!

P.S. Love the podcast? Become a Humor Contributor by donating $5 per month on Patreon. Your gift helps to offset the cost of bringing weekly episodes for your binging pleasure and personal growth. ;0) 

P.P.S. Want to give a one-time gift of any amount? Do that here. Tracy and Cathrine are always dreaming and setting growth goals to reach more people with humor and truth. Adding video to the podcast is one of those lofty goals and it costs money to create a set, purchase equipment, and get training. Your gift of any amount will help in those efforts. Thank you so much. 

This week on the Life Happens Laugh Anyway Podcast we are covering "Hillbilly Elegy and the affects of addiction." Tune in here: https://tracydegraaf.com/podcast

SPOILER ALERT….WE ARE GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT THIS MOVIE IS ALL ABOUT. 

Here's what you can expect from listening today...

1. Review of 2020 Netflix Ron Howard film Hillbilly Elegy, the true life story of now Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance.
2. Our thoughts on addiction
3. How we can improve our situation right now in regard to addictions

CTA: Just keep going. Don’t give up.

Inspirational Close: Hebrews 12:1-2

"Where we come from is who we are but we choose every day who we become." J.D. Vance

Notable Scenes:

1. When the dark side of Papaw was revealed and showing flashback of him in a drunken rage and Mamaw starting him on fire. 😳
2. When Beverly tried to KILL JD in the car
3. The way in which the Appalachian people honored the dead.

**Thank You Humor Contributors**

Special thanks our Patreon supporters who support us with a recurring $5 per month. Valerie,  Sarah, Wendy, Jess, Jessica, Katie, Colleen, Ursula, Nancy, Kenny, Karren, Muffin, Darlene, Courtney and Joan. Also, a big thank you to our one-time gift supporters: Linda, Janine, Carla, Beverly and Jackie.

Your generosity helps keep this podcast going. To support, click here for a $5 monthly contribution or here a one-time gift.

**Additional Highlights**

Tracy’s comedy special "Condemned Bakery" is now available online. Click here to watch.

**More About Tracy DeGraaf**

Tracy is a Chicago-based comedian, author, and breast cancer survivor. She performs nationwide, blending humor with Christian faith and cancer awareness. Her podcast with Cathrine was born during the Covid shutdown and continues to offer weekly entertainment and spiritual encouragement.

For more, visit Tracy’s website or follow her on social media:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter

Thee takeaways from today’s episode:

1. Cathrine and Tracy will share their own experiences from the recent derecho storm that came through the Chicagoland area. (Cathrine from her mom's assisted living facility and Tracy from her crawlspace.)
2. Tips on how to prepare right now for the next storm
3. WHY we MUST take action immediately

Inspiration: Isaiah 4:5-6

Call to Action: Get prepared!

p.s. The little phone charger thingy Cathrine recommended was called a "Halo Bolt." 

**Thank You Humor Contributors**

Special thanks to ALL $5 monthly contributors and one-time supporters. Your generosity helps keep this podcast going. To support, click here for a $5 monthly contribution or here a one-time gift.

**Additional Highlights**

Tracy’s comedy special "Condemned Bakery" is now available online. Click here to watch.

**More About Tracy DeGraaf**

Tracy is a Chicago-based comedian, author, and breast cancer survivor. She performs nationwide, blending humor with Christian faith and cancer awareness. Her podcast with Cathrine was born during the Covid shutdown and continues to offer weekly entertainment and spiritual encouragement.

For more, visit Tracy’s website or follow her on social media:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter

Thee takeaways from today’s episode:

1. Discover insights from Dr. Charles Stanley's book, "Emotions: Confront the Lies, Conquer with Truth," and learn how to harness your emotions for good.
2. Explore the pros and cons of trusting your emotions.
3. Gain practical tools for maintaining emotional balance.

Tune in for an engaging discussion filled with humor, wisdom, and a touch of spirituality.

**Thank You Humor Contributors**

Special thanks to ALL $5 monthly contributors and one-time supporters. Your generosity helps keep this podcast going. To support, click here for a $5 monthly contribution or here a one-time gift.

**Additional Highlights**

Tracy’s comedy special "Condemned Bakery" is now available online. Click here to watch.

**More About Tracy DeGraaf**

Tracy is a Chicago-based comedian, author, and breast cancer survivor. She performs nationwide, blending humor with Christian faith and cancer awareness. Her podcast with Cathrine was born during the Covid shutdown and continues to offer weekly entertainment and spiritual encouragement.

For more, visit Tracy’s website or follow her on social media:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter

In today's episode, Tracy and Cathrine dive deep into the world of control freaks. They discuss the characteristics of a control freak, share personal anecdotes, and offer practical tips on how to outsmart one, especially in the workplace. They also explore the roots of controlling behavior and how to deal with it effectively.

But it's not all serious talk! Tracy and Cathrine bring their signature humor and relatable stories to the table, making this episode both informative and entertaining. Plus, they share a bit of spiritual inspiration and a call to action to help you reflect on your own behaviors.

Don't miss out on this engaging episode that combines laughter, wisdom, and practical advice. Tune in and learn how to navigate relationships with control freaks while keeping your sanity intact!

As they dive into the main topic, Tracy and Cathrine explore various relaxation and stress management techniques. From the 5-4-3-2-1 method to progressive muscle relaxation, they share practical tips and personal stories to help you find peace amidst life's chaos. They also discuss the benefits of gratitude, scripture memory, and even some unique relaxation practices from around the world.

Join them for an episode filled with laughter, insights, and actionable advice to help you de-stress and relax. Plus, they share comforting scripture verses and a call to action to seek God for true peace and comfort. Tune in and take a step towards a more relaxed and joyful life!

**Thank You Humor Contributors**

Special thanks to Valerie, the newest Humor Contributor, Valerie and ALL $5 monthly contributors and one-time supporters. Your generosity helps keep this podcast going. To support, click here for a $5 monthly contribution or here a one-time gift.

**Additional Highlights**

Tracy’s comedy special "Condemned Bakery" is now available online. Click here to watch.

**More About Tracy DeGraaf**

Tracy is a Chicago-based comedian, author, and breast cancer survivor. She performs nationwide, blending humor with Christian faith and cancer awareness. Her podcast with Cathrine was born during the Covid shutdown and continues to offer weekly entertainment and spiritual encouragement.

For more, visit Tracy’s website or follow her on social media:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter

Tracy and Cathrine discuss the film's unique approach to dealing with the inevitability of death, from humorous staged death scenarios to a touching recreation of a funeral. They highlight the importance of processing grief and the different ways people cope with loss.

Moreover, the hosts emphasize the significance of faith and the hope it brings for the afterlife. They offer encouragement and practical advice for those grappling with the reality of mortality, including the importance of having an advanced directive and seeking support from a faith community.

Tune in for a candid and enlightening conversation that promises to bring both laughter and comfort as Tracy and Cathrine remind us that life, with all its ups and downs, is a journey worth navigating with faith and humor.

Join them as they discuss the importance of colonoscopies, share their own experiences (including some laugh-out-loud moments), and provide practical advice on when and why you should get screened. From overcoming the fear of the procedure to understanding the significant health benefits, Tracy and Cathrine cover it all with their unique blend of humor and heart.

Whether you're due for a colonoscopy or just curious about the process, this episode offers valuable insights and plenty of laughs. Plus, they share some surprising fun facts about the colon and even tie it all together with a bit of scripture. Don't miss out on this engaging and potentially life-saving conversation!

Stay tuned until the end for a special call to action that could make a big difference in your health and well-being. Tune in, laugh along, and take the first step towards a healthier you!

**Thank You to Our Humor Contributors**

Special thanks to our $5 monthly contributors and one-time supporters. Your generosity helps us keep going. To support us, click here for a $5 monthly contribution or here a one-time gift.

**Additional Highlights**

Tracy’s comedy special "Condemned Bakery" is now available online. Click here to watch.

**More About Tracy DeGraaf**

Tracy is a Chicago-based comedian, author, and breast cancer survivor. She performs nationwide, blending humor with Christian faith and cancer awareness. Her podcast with Cathrine was born during the Covid shutdown and continues to offer weekly entertainment and spiritual encouragement.

For more, visit Tracy’s website or follow her on social media:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter

Thank you, thank you, thank you to our $5 per month contributors Sarah, Wendy, Jessica J., Jessica K., Katie, Colleen, Ursula, Nancy, Kenny, Karren, Jeanine, Muffin, Darlene, Courtney, Joan. We also have one-time gift contributors who prefer to support us with a one-time gift. Thank you to Gayle, Carla, Beverly and Linda. We also have recently had several $1 contributions to our efforts here by people we don't personally know. It's been such a surprise and a thrill that people would support us at all. Thank you for your generous support. Your support encourages us to keep going and it does offset the cost of hosting the podcast. ;0)

Love you all!

Join comedian Tracy DeGraaf and her best friend Cathrine in episode 176 as they discuss chronic inflammation, its causes, effects, and remedies. Tracy shares her personal journey with inflammation and her elimination diet, while Cathrine offers insights on anti-inflammatory diets, stress management, and gut health.

Listeners will learn about:
- The difference between acute and chronic inflammation
- Causes of chronic inflammation
- Practical tips to reduce it

Discover valuable takeaways including foods and diets that help combat inflammation and the importance of mindset and sustainable lifestyle changes.

**Thank You to Our Contributors**

Special thanks to our $5 monthly contributors and one-time supporters. Your generosity helps us keep going. To support us, click here for a $5 monthly contribution or a one-time gift.

**Additional Highlights**

Tracy’s comedy special "Condemned Bakery" is now available online. Click here to watch.

**More About Tracy DeGraaf**

Tracy is a Chicago-based comedian, author, and breast cancer survivor. She performs nationwide, blending humor with Christian faith and cancer awareness. Her podcast with Cathrine was born during the Covid shutdown and continues to offer weekly entertainment and spiritual encouragement.

For more, visit Tracy’s website or follow her on social media:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter

Yes! We are still working on capturing video with audio for all of our Contributors. ;0) This time we had the audio right, the video right, the lighting was sort of mediocre, but good enough. However, we discovered that the ipone shut off after 13 minutes due to a storage issue. So now we have to delete some videos and make room! Ahhhhh, but we NEVER give up! We will try again next time and soon.....you'll be able to hear our voices AND see our flabby arms. ;0). Can't wait.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to our $5 per month contributors Sarah, Wendy, Jessica J., Jessica K., Katie, Colleen, Ursula, Nancy, Kenny, Karren, Jeanine, Muffin, Darlene, Courtney, Joan. We also have one-time gift contributors who prefer to support us with a one-time gift. Thank you to Gayle, Carla, Beverly and Linda. We also have recently had several $1 contributions to our efforts here by people we don't personally know. It's been such a surprise and a thrill that people would support us at all. Thank you for your generous support. Your support encourages us to keep going and it does offset the cost of hosting the podcast. ;0)

Click here to support us with a $5 per month contribution and you will become part of our growing community.

Click here to support us with a one-time gift of any amount.

Side Note: You can now buy or rent Tracy's full 82-minute comedy special Condemned Bakery online (Amazon Prime and more) and watch it in the comfort of your own home. Click here to check it out.

Love you all!

***PLEASE NOTE:*** If you are receiving these show notes via email, scroll down to the bottom and hit play to hear the audio of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast episode.

Tracy and Cathrine

P.S. The goal of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast is to present our audience with a relevant topic weekly in an entertaining way followed by some spiritual encouragement. #lifehappenslaughanyway #tracydegraaf

***MORE ABOUT TRACY DEGRAAF COMEDY***

Hi Friends, Tracy here. My husband and I survived raising 5 boys and there were so many funny stories along the way. Now is my time to "show and tell." 🥳 I put these stories in my book and on stage in my comedy act. It's so much fun.

Join my email community to add some fun to your inbox. https://tracydegraaf.com/email-community Follow me on social!

➡️Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TracyDeGraafComedy ➡️Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tracydegraaf/ ➡️Twitter:https://twitter.com/tracydegraaf

If you're new to my comedy, here's a little about me.

I'm from the Chicago area and I perform my one-woman clean comedy show “Life Happens Laugh Anyway” nationwide for both corporate and non-profit organizations.

My comedy combines two of my passions: Christianity and breast cancer awareness. (I was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...a fancy name for breast cancer. Currently, I'm doing great and am cancer free!)

As a Christian and a breast cancer survivor, I use my platform to inspire women spiritually and motivate them to schedule their breast cancer screenings. I like to tell women “I want you to know Jesus, but I don’t want you to meet Him face-to-face just yet.” 🙏❤️

I pull material from my experiences as a wife, mother of five grown sons and middle-aged woman. I love performing for Girls Night Out Events, Women’s Conferences, Fundraisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Events, Cancer Survivor Events and more. I was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. I'm happily married to my husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and we are now empty nesters! 😁 We can't stop smiling. Our boys are spread out between Colorado, Illinois and Indiana.

I publish a weekly podcast called Life Happens Laugh Anyway with my bff Cathrine and it is so much fun. We started the podcast when the world shut down during Covid since all of my shows were canceled. It's a hoot. We tackle a new topic weekly that we think our audience will care about and discuss it in an entertaining way. We close each episode with some spiritual encouragement. 👍

For additional information, check out my website: https://tracydegraaf.com #tracydegraaf #lifehappenslaughanyway #comedyvideo #standupcomedy

In this episode, we answer questions that had previously been submitted at live comedy events. It has been so fun to do this. The audience becomes part of the show. They love it and we love it too. The questions are directed at me (Tracy) but they are anonymously submitted to Cathrine and she picks the ones to ask. So fun.

Cathrine's husband Kenny asked a few questions and the mystery person who joined us in the broadcast was my husband Ron. He texted me to tell me it was him, but my phone wasn't near me so I didn't know. 

Stay tuned for video....it's coming. We captured the video and good audio, but when we tried to upload it to Patreon, the platform said "NO. You failed." IDK what went wrong but I am getting it straightened out with our hired tech helper Olivia. She will get us on the right track and soon, the full video will be coming to all of you humor contributors. ;0)

Thank you, thank you, thank you to our $5 per month contributors Sarah, Wendy, Jessica J., Jessica K., Katie, Colleen, Ursula, Nancy, Kenny, Karren, Jeanine, Muffin, Darlene, Courtney, Joan. We also have one-time gift contributors who prefer to support us with a one-time gift. Thank you to Gayle, Carla, Beverly and Linda. We also have recently had several $1 contributions to our efforts here by people we don't personally know. It's been such a surprise and a thrill that people would support us at all. Thank you for your generous support. Your support encourages us to keep going and it does offset the cost of hosting the podcast. ;0)

Click here to support us with a $5 per month contribution and you will become part of our growing community.

Click here to support us with a one-time gift of any amount.

Side Note: You can now buy or rent Tracy's full 82-minute comedy special Condemned Bakery online (Amazon Prime and more) and watch it in the comfort of your own home. Click here to check it out.

Love you all!

***PLEASE NOTE:*** If you are receiving these show notes via email, scroll down to the bottom and hit play to hear the audio of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast episode.

Tracy and Cathrine

P.S. The goal of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast is to present our audience with a relevant topic weekly in an entertaining way followed by some spiritual encouragement. #lifehappenslaughanyway #tracydegraaf

***MORE ABOUT TRACY DEGRAAF COMEDY***

Hi Friends, Tracy here. My husband and I survived raising 5 boys and there were so many funny stories along the way. Now is my time to "show and tell." 🥳 I put these stories in my book and on stage in my comedy act. It's so much fun.

Join my email community to add some fun to your inbox. https://tracydegraaf.com/email-community Follow me on social!

➡️Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TracyDeGraafComedy ➡️Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tracydegraaf/ ➡️Twitter:https://twitter.com/tracydegraaf

If you're new to my comedy, here's a little about me.

I'm from the Chicago area and I perform my one-woman clean comedy show “Life Happens Laugh Anyway” nationwide for both corporate and non-profit organizations.

My comedy combines two of my passions: Christianity and breast cancer awareness. (I was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...a fancy name for breast cancer. Currently, I'm doing great and am cancer free!)

As a Christian and a breast cancer survivor, I use my platform to inspire women spiritually and motivate them to schedule their breast cancer screenings. I like to tell women “I want you to know Jesus, but I don’t want you to meet Him face-to-face just yet.” 🙏❤️

I pull material from my experiences as a wife, mother of five grown sons and middle-aged woman. I love performing for Girls Night Out Events, Women’s Conferences, Fundraisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Events, Cancer Survivor Events and more. I was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. I'm happily married to my husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and we are now empty nesters! 😁 We can't stop smiling. Our boys are spread out between Colorado, Illinois and Indiana.

I publish a weekly podcast called Life Happens Laugh Anyway with my bff Cathrine and it is so much fun. We started the podcast when the world shut down during Covid since all of my shows were canceled. It's a hoot. We tackle a new topic weekly that we think our audience will care about and discuss it in an entertaining way. We close each episode with some spiritual encouragement. 👍

For additional information, check out my website: https://tracydegraaf.com #tracydegraaf #lifehappenslaughanyway #comedyvideo #standupcomedy

1. After decluttering, now what?
2. 13 ways to stay organized and maximize productivity
3. Examples from scripture of people who had to be organized

Plus, join us for a whole lotta laughing because this episode is a hot mess with that. ;0)

Scripture: Luke 14:28, 1 Cor. 14:40

CTA: Ha ha. We didn't have one because we weren't organized. So we made them up on the fly. True story.

Friends...as promised for quite a while now, we are adding video (as much as Cathrine fought against it and I don't like seeing myself on camera...we are adding it). If you are a humor contributor, we recorded ourselves recording this episode and are in the process now of figuring out how to get it to you all. Stay tuned. ;0)

Thank you, thank you, thank you to our $5 per month contributors Sarah, Wendy, Jessica J., Jessica K., Katie, Colleen, Ursula, Nancy, Kenny, Karren, Jeanine, Muffin, Darlene, Courtney, Joan. We also have one-time gift contributors who prefer to support us with a one-time gift. Thank you to Gayle, Carla, Beverly and Linda. We also have recently had several $1 contributions to our efforts here by people we don't personally know. It's been such a surprise and a thrill that people would support us at all. Thank you for your generous support. Your support encourages us to keep going and it does offset the cost of hosting the podcast. ;0)

Click here to support us with a $5 per month contribution and you will become part of our growing community.

Click here to support us with a one-time gift of any amount from $1 to whatever your heart desires. 

Side Note: You can now buy or rent Tracy's full 82-minute comedy special Condemned Bakery online (Amazon Prime and more) and watch it in the comfort of your own home. Click here to check it out.

Love you all!

***PLEASE NOTE:*** If you are receiving these show notes via email, scroll down to the bottom and hit play to hear the audio of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast episode.

Tracy and Cathrine

P.S. The goal of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast is to present our audience with a relevant topic weekly in an entertaining way followed by some spiritual encouragement. #lifehappenslaughanyway #tracydegraaf

***MORE ABOUT TRACY DEGRAAF COMEDY***

Hi Friends, Tracy here. My husband and I survived raising 5 boys and there were so many funny stories along the way. Now is my time to "show and tell." 🥳 I put these stories in my book and on stage in my comedy act. It's so much fun.

Join my email community to add some fun to your inbox. https://tracydegraaf.com/email-community Follow me on social!

➡️Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TracyDeGraafComedy ➡️Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tracydegraaf/ ➡️Twitter:https://twitter.com/tracydegraaf

If you're new to my comedy, here's a little about me.

I'm from the Chicago area and I perform my one-woman clean comedy show “Life Happens Laugh Anyway” nationwide for both corporate and non-profit organizations.

My comedy combines two of my passions: Christianity and breast cancer awareness. (I was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...a fancy name for breast cancer. Currently, I'm doing great and am cancer free!)

As a Christian and a breast cancer survivor, I use my platform to inspire women spiritually and motivate them to schedule their breast cancer screenings. I like to tell women “I want you to know Jesus, but I don’t want you to meet Him face-to-face just yet.” 🙏❤️

I pull material from my experiences as a wife, mother of five grown sons and middle-aged woman. I love performing for Girls Night Out Events, Women’s Conferences, Fundraisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Events, Cancer Survivor Events and more. I was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. I'm happily married to my husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and we are now empty nesters! 😁 We can't stop smiling. Our boys are spread out between Colorado, Illinois and Indiana.

I publish a weekly podcast called Life Happens Laugh Anyway with my bff Cathrine and it is so much fun. We started the podcast when the world shut down during Covid since all of my shows were canceled. It's a hoot. We tackle a new topic weekly that we think our audience will care about and discuss it in an entertaining way. We close each episode with some spiritual encouragement. 👍

For additional information, check out my website: https://tracydegraaf.com #tracydegraaf #lifehappenslaughanyway #comedyvideo #standupcomedy

1. How clutter and mental health are connected
2. Impact of clutter and mental health
3. Why do people have clutter
4. How to remove clutter from your life

Scripture: Luke 12:15, 1 Cor. 14:33, ecc. 3:6

CTA: Declutter one small area at a time.11

Friends...we have had several new people cross over from Humor Consumer to Humor Contributor. Thank you, thank you, thank you to our $5 per month contributors Sarah, Wendy, Jessica J., Jessica K., Katie, Colleen, Ursula, Nancy, Kenny, Karren, Jeanine, Muffin, Darlene, Courtney, Joan. We also have one-time gift contributors who prefer to support us with a one-time gift. Thank you to Gayle, Carla, Beverly and Linda. We also have recently had several $1 contributions to our efforts here by people we don't personally know. It's been such a surprise and a thrill that people would support us at all. Thank you for your generous support. Your support encourages us to keep going and it does offset the cost of hosting the podcast. ;0)

Click here to support us with a $5 per month contribution and you will become part of our growing community.

Click here to support us with a one-time gift of any amount from $1 to whatever your heart desires. 

Side Note: You can now buy or rent Tracy's full 82-minute comedy special Condemned Bakery online (Amazon Prime and more) and watch it in the comfort of your own home. Click here to check it out.

Wisdom....it's so important. 

On today's episode, we will cover...our own personal stories about wisdom PLUS:

1. The difference between knowledge and wisdom
2. Famous quotes about wisdom
3. How to gain more wisdom

Inspiration: James 1:5 "God gives wisdom generously. He's not stingy in providing insight to those who ask how to make the best choices. In fact, God gives wisdom away without "reproach" or finding fault."

CTA: If you are seeking wisdom, seek God and ask him for it.

Equipment Fundraiser Update:

Thank you to all who have become Humor Contributors. We sooooooo appreciate you and we have raised enough money to purchase our new microphones. We are using them on this episode. Hope you can hear us ok cuz we have to learn how to adjust them and such.

We are still raising money to purchase equipment to put this podcast on video. Yes, we will have to comb our hair and probably put on makeup, but we are hoping to do it this year.

If you're a fan of our words....we think you'd like us on video even better. He he. Help us get to our goals by making a one-time donation of any amount by clicking here. You can become a recurring donor through Patreon by clicking the SUPPORT button below.

Love you all!

***PLEASE NOTE:*** If you are receiving these show notes via email, scroll down to the bottom and hit play to hear the audio of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast episode.

Tracy and Cathrine

P.S. The goal of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast is to present our audience with a relevant topic weekly in an entertaining way followed by some spiritual encouragement. #lifehappenslaughanyway #tracydegraaf

***MORE ABOUT TRACY DEGRAAF COMEDY***

Hi Friends, Tracy here. My husband and I survived raising 5 boys and there were so many funny stories along the way. Now is my time to "show and tell." 🥳 I put these stories in my book and on stage in my comedy act. It's so much fun.

Join my email community to add some fun to your inbox. https://tracydegraaf.com/email-community Follow me on social!

➡️Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TracyDeGraafComedy ➡️Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tracydegraaf/ ➡️Twitter:https://twitter.com/tracydegraaf

If you're new to my comedy, here's a little about me.

I'm from the Chicago area and I perform my one-woman clean comedy show “Life Happens Laugh Anyway” nationwide for both corporate and non-profit organizations.

My comedy combines two of my passions: Christianity and breast cancer awareness. (I was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...a fancy name for breast cancer. Currently, I'm doing great and am cancer free!)

As a Christian and a breast cancer survivor, I use my platform to inspire women spiritually and motivate them to schedule their breast cancer screenings. I like to tell women “I want you to know Jesus, but I don’t want you to meet Him face-to-face just yet.” 🙏❤️

I pull material from my experiences as a wife, mother of five grown sons and middle-aged woman. I love performing for Girls Night Out Events, Women’s Conferences, Fundraisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Events, Cancer Survivor Events and more. I was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. I'm happily married to my husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and we are now empty nesters! 😁 We can't stop smiling. Our boys are spread out between Colorado, Illinois and Indiana.

I publish a weekly podcast called Life Happens Laugh Anyway with my bff Cathrine and it is so much fun. We started the podcast when the world shut down during Covid since all of my shows were canceled. It's a hoot. We tackle a new topic weekly that we think our audience will care about and discuss it in an entertaining way. We close each episode with some spiritual encouragement. 👍

For additional information, check out my website: https://tracydegraaf.com #tracydegraaf #lifehappenslaughanyway #comedyvideo #standupcomedy

Click here to support us with a $5 per month contribution and you will become part of our growing community.

Click here to support us with a one-time gift of any amount from $1 to whatever your heart desires. 

Side Note: You can now buy or rent Tracy's full 82-minute comedy special Condemned Bakery online (Amazon Prime and more) and watch it in the comfort of your own home. Click here to check it out.

Wisdom....it's so important. 

On today's episode, we will cover...our own personal stories about wisdom PLUS:

1. The difference between knowledge and wisdom
2. Famous quotes about wisdom
3. How to gain more wisdom

Inspiration: James 1:5 "God gives wisdom generously. He's not stingy in providing insight to those who ask how to make the best choices. In fact, God gives wisdom away without "reproach" or finding fault."

CTA: If you are seeking wisdom, seek God and ask him for it.

Equipment Fundraiser Update:

Thank you to all who have become Humor Contributors. We sooooooo appreciate you and we have raised enough money to purchase our new microphones. We are using them on this episode. Hope you can hear us ok cuz we have to learn how to adjust them and such.

We are still raising money to purchase equipment to put this podcast on video. Yes, we will have to comb our hair and probably put on makeup, but we are hoping to do it this year.

If you're a fan of our words....we think you'd like us on video even better. He he. Help us get to our goals by making a one-time donation of any amount by clicking here. You can become a recurring donor through Patreon by clicking the SUPPORT button below.

Love you all!

***PLEASE NOTE:*** If you are receiving these show notes via email, scroll down to the bottom and hit play to hear the audio of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast episode.

Tracy and Cathrine

P.S. The goal of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast is to present our audience with a relevant topic weekly in an entertaining way followed by some spiritual encouragement. #lifehappenslaughanyway #tracydegraaf

***MORE ABOUT TRACY DEGRAAF COMEDY***

Hi Friends, Tracy here. My husband and I survived raising 5 boys and there were so many funny stories along the way. Now is my time to "show and tell." 🥳 I put these stories in my book and on stage in my comedy act. It's so much fun.

Join my email community to add some fun to your inbox. https://tracydegraaf.com/email-community Follow me on social!

➡️Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TracyDeGraafComedy ➡️Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tracydegraaf/ ➡️Twitter:https://twitter.com/tracydegraaf

If you're new to my comedy, here's a little about me.

I'm from the Chicago area and I perform my one-woman clean comedy show “Life Happens Laugh Anyway” nationwide for both corporate and non-profit organizations.

My comedy combines two of my passions: Christianity and breast cancer awareness. (I was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...a fancy name for breast cancer. Currently, I'm doing great and am cancer free!)

As a Christian and a breast cancer survivor, I use my platform to inspire women spiritually and motivate them to schedule their breast cancer screenings. I like to tell women “I want you to know Jesus, but I don’t want you to meet Him face-to-face just yet.” 🙏❤️

I pull material from my experiences as a wife, mother of five grown sons and middle-aged woman. I love performing for Girls Night Out Events, Women’s Conferences, Fundraisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Events, Cancer Survivor Events and more. I was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. I'm happily married to my husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and we are now empty nesters! 😁 We can't stop smiling. Our boys are spread out between Colorado, Illinois and Indiana.

I publish a weekly podcast called Life Happens Laugh Anyway with my bff Cathrine and it is so much fun. We started the podcast when the world shut down during Covid since all of my shows were canceled. It's a hoot. We tackle a new topic weekly that we think our audience will care about and discuss it in an entertaining way. We close each episode with some spiritual encouragement. 👍

For additional information, check out my website: https://tracydegraaf.com #tracydegraaf #lifehappenslaughanyway #comedyvideo #standupcomedy

Click here to support us with a $5 per month contribution and you will become part of our growing community.

Click here to support us with a one-time gift of any amount from $1 to whatever your heart desires. 

Side Note: You can now buy or rent Tracy's full 82-minute comedy special Condemned Bakery online (Amazon Prime and more) and watch it in the comfort of your own home. Click here to check it out.

Manners matter! Cathrine and I traveled to Richmond, Virginia to do an event at the Salisbury Country Club and it was wonderful. In our travels, we spent a full day in Williamsburg, VA where we found a little book called "The School of Manners or Rules for Childrens Behaviour: at Church, at Home, at Table, in Company, in Discourse, at School, abroad, and amoung Boys. That's a looooong title for a short book, but it was fun and funny to read through.

ENJOY!

Equipment Fundraiser Update:

Thank you to all who have become Humor Contributors. We sooooooo appreciate you and we have raised enough money to purchase our new microphones. We are using them on this episode. Hope you can hear us ok cuz we have to learn how to adjust them and such.

We are still raising money to purchase equipment to put this podcast on video. Yes, we will have to comb our hair and probably put on makeup, but we are hoping to do it this year.

If you're a fan of our words....we think you'd like us on video even better. He he. Help us get to our goals by making a one-time donation of any amount by clicking here. You can become a recurring donor through Patreon by clicking the SUPPORT button below.

Love you all!

***PLEASE NOTE:*** If you are receiving these show notes via email, scroll down to the bottom and hit play to hear the audio of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast episode.

Tracy and Cathrine

P.S. The goal of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast is to present our audience with a relevant topic weekly in an entertaining way followed by some spiritual encouragement. #lifehappenslaughanyway #tracydegraaf

***MORE ABOUT TRACY DEGRAAF COMEDY***

Hi Friends, Tracy here. My husband and I survived raising 5 boys and there were so many funny stories along the way. Now is my time to "show and tell." 🥳 I put these stories in my book and on stage in my comedy act. It's so much fun.

Join my email community to add some fun to your inbox. https://tracydegraaf.com/email-community Follow me on social!

➡️Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TracyDeGraafComedy ➡️Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tracydegraaf/ ➡️Twitter:https://twitter.com/tracydegraaf

If you're new to my comedy, here's a little about me.

I'm from the Chicago area and I perform my one-woman clean comedy show “Life Happens Laugh Anyway” nationwide for both corporate and non-profit organizations.

My comedy combines two of my passions: Christianity and breast cancer awareness. (I was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...a fancy name for breast cancer. Currently, I'm doing great and am cancer free!)

As a Christian and a breast cancer survivor, I use my platform to inspire women spiritually and motivate them to schedule their breast cancer screenings. I like to tell women “I want you to know Jesus, but I don’t want you to meet Him face-to-face just yet.” 🙏❤️

I pull material from my experiences as a wife, mother of five grown sons and middle-aged woman. I love performing for Girls Night Out Events, Women’s Conferences, Fundraisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Events, Cancer Survivor Events and more. I was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. I'm happily married to my husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and we are now empty nesters! 😁 We can't stop smiling. Our boys are spread out between Colorado, Illinois and Indiana.

I publish a weekly podcast called Life Happens Laugh Anyway with my bff Cathrine and it is so much fun. We started the podcast when the world shut down during Covid since all of my shows were canceled. It's a hoot. We tackle a new topic weekly that we think our audience will care about and discuss it in an entertaining way. We close each episode with some spiritual encouragement. 👍

For additional information, check out my website: https://tracydegraaf.com #tracydegraaf #lifehappenslaughanyway #comedyvideo #standupcomedy

Click here to support us with a $5 per month contribution and you will become part of our growing community.

Click here to support us with a one-time gift of any amount from $1 to whatever your heart desires. 

Side Note: You can now buy or rent Tracy's full 82-minute comedy special Condemned Bakery online (Amazon Prime and more) and watch it in the comfort of your own home. Click here to check it out.

TMI alert….you're about to hear more than you expected on this episode. GUESS WHAT? Everyone has hemorrhoids! They are a beautiful creation of almighty God with a definite and necessary function! 

On today's episode, we will cover...

1. Myths about hemorrhoids 
2. Remedies/treatment
3. Tracy’s Products

Inspiration: Romans 8 

CTA: If you’re a fellow-sufferer, you’re not alone and help is out there.   

Equipment Fundraiser Update:

Thank you to all who have become Humor Contributors. We sooooooo appreciate you and we have raised enough money to purchase our new microphones. We are using them on this episode. Hope you can hear us ok cuz we have to learn how to adjust them and such.

We are still raising money to purchase equipment to put this podcast on video. Yes, we will have to comb our hair and probably put on makeup, but we are hoping to do it this year.

If you're a fan of our words....we think you'd like us on video even better. He he. Help us get to our goals by making a one-time donation of any amount by clicking here. You can become a recurring donor through Patreon by clicking the SUPPORT button below.

Love you all!

***PLEASE NOTE:*** If you are receiving these show notes via email, scroll down to the bottom and hit play to hear the audio of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast episode.

Tracy and Cathrine

P.S. The goal of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast is to present our audience with a relevant topic weekly in an entertaining way followed by some spiritual encouragement. #lifehappenslaughanyway #tracydegraaf

***MORE ABOUT TRACY DEGRAAF COMEDY***

Hi Friends, Tracy here. My husband and I survived raising 5 boys and there were so many funny stories along the way. Now is my time to "show and tell." 🥳 I put these stories in my book and on stage in my comedy act. It's so much fun.

Join my email community to add some fun to your inbox. https://tracydegraaf.com/email-community Follow me on social!

➡️Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TracyDeGraafComedy ➡️Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tracydegraaf/ ➡️Twitter:https://twitter.com/tracydegraaf

If you're new to my comedy, here's a little about me.

I'm from the Chicago area and I perform my one-woman clean comedy show “Life Happens Laugh Anyway” nationwide for both corporate and non-profit organizations.

My comedy combines two of my passions: Christianity and breast cancer awareness. (I was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...a fancy name for breast cancer. Currently, I'm doing great and am cancer free!)

As a Christian and a breast cancer survivor, I use my platform to inspire women spiritually and motivate them to schedule their breast cancer screenings. I like to tell women “I want you to know Jesus, but I don’t want you to meet Him face-to-face just yet.” 🙏❤️

I pull material from my experiences as a wife, mother of five grown sons and middle-aged woman. I love performing for Girls Night Out Events, Women’s Conferences, Fundraisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Events, Cancer Survivor Events and more. I was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. I'm happily married to my husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and we are now empty nesters! 😁 We can't stop smiling. Our boys are spread out between Colorado, Illinois and Indiana.

I publish a weekly podcast called Life Happens Laugh Anyway with my bff Cathrine and it is so much fun. We started the podcast when the world shut down during Covid since all of my shows were canceled. It's a hoot. We tackle a new topic weekly that we think our audience will care about and discuss it in an entertaining way. We close each episode with some spiritual encouragement. 👍

For additional information, check out my website: https://tracydegraaf.com #tracydegraaf #lifehappenslaughanyway #comedyvideo #standupcomedy

Friends...we have had several new people cross over from Humor Consumer to Humor Contributor. Thank you, thank you, thank you to our $5 per month contributors Sarah, Wendy, Jessica J., Jessica K., Katie, Colleen, Ursula, Nancy, Kenny, Karren, Jeanine, Muffin, Darlene, Courtney, Joan. We also have one-time gift contributors who prefer to support us with a one-time gift. Thank you to Gayle, Carla, Beverly and Linda. We also have recently had several $1 contributions to our efforts here by people we don't personally know. It's been such a surprise and a thrill that people would support us at all. Thank you for your generous support. Your support encourages us to keep going and it does offset the cost of hosting the podcast. ;0)

Click here to support us with a $5 per month contribution and you will become part of our growing community.

Click here to support us with a one-time gift of any amount from $1 to whatever your heart desires. 

Side Note: You can now buy or rent Tracy's full 82-minute comedy special Condemned Bakery online (Amazon Prime and more) and watch it in the comfort of your own home. Click here to check it out.

How is it that Americans have been pooping like animals for nearly 250 years when all along the bidet has been available? Sorry about TMI on this episode, but everybody does it, we just have the courage or stupidity to talk about it. ;0)

On today's episode, we will cover...our own personal stories about bidets PLUS:

1. The history of bidets
2. The health benefits of bidets
3. Bidet buying options

Inspiration: Psalm 51:7 "Pure me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

CTA: Stop pooping like an animal and CLEAN YOUR BOOTY. Get a bidet.

Equipment Fundraiser Update:

Thank you to all who have become Humor Contributors. We sooooooo appreciate you and we have raised enough money to purchase our new microphones. We are using them on this episode. Hope you can hear us ok cuz we have to learn how to adjust them and such.

We are still raising money to purchase equipment to put this podcast on video. Yes, we will have to comb our hair and probably put on makeup, but we are hoping to do it this year.

If you're a fan of our words....we think you'd like us on video even better. He he. Help us get to our goals by making a one-time donation of any amount by clicking here. You can become a recurring donor through Patreon by clicking the SUPPORT button below.

Love you all!

***PLEASE NOTE:*** If you are receiving these show notes via email, scroll down to the bottom and hit play to hear the audio of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast episode.

Tracy and Cathrine

P.S. The goal of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway podcast is to present our audience with a relevant topic weekly in an entertaining way followed by some spiritual encouragement. #lifehappenslaughanyway #tracydegraaf

***MORE ABOUT TRACY DEGRAAF COMEDY***

Hi Friends, Tracy here. My husband and I survived raising 5 boys and there were so many funny stories along the way. Now is my time to "show and tell." 🥳 I put these stories in my book and on stage in my comedy act. It's so much fun.

Join my email community to add some fun to your inbox. https://tracydegraaf.com/email-community Follow me on social!

➡️Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TracyDeGraafComedy ➡️Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tracydegraaf/ ➡️Twitter:https://twitter.com/tracydegraaf

If you're new to my comedy, here's a little about me.

I'm from the Chicago area and I perform my one-woman clean comedy show “Life Happens Laugh Anyway” nationwide for both corporate and non-profit organizations.

My comedy combines two of my passions: Christianity and breast cancer awareness. (I was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...a fancy name for breast cancer. Currently, I'm doing great and am cancer free!)

As a Christian and a breast cancer survivor, I use my platform to inspire women spiritually and motivate them to schedule their breast cancer screenings. I like to tell women “I want you to know Jesus, but I don’t want you to meet Him face-to-face just yet.” 🙏❤️

I pull material from my experiences as a wife, mother of five grown sons and middle-aged woman. I love performing for Girls Night Out Events, Women’s Conferences, Fundraisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Events, Cancer Survivor Events and more. I was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. I'm happily married to my husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and we are now empty nesters! 😁 We can't stop smiling. Our boys are spread out between Colorado, Illinois and Indiana.

I publish a weekly podcast called Life Happens Laugh Anyway with my bff Cathrine and it is so much fun. We started the podcast when the world shut down during Covid since all of my shows were canceled. It's a hoot. We tackle a new topic weekly that we think our audience will care about and discuss it in an entertaining way. We close each episode with some spiritual encouragement. 👍

For additional information, check out my website: https://tracydegraaf.com #tracydegraaf #lifehappenslaughanyway #comedyvideo #standupcomedy