Diamonds in Dumpster Fires3 Sep 2025

Another Trip Around the Sun: What Resilience Taught Me This Year

Birthdays aren't just about cake and candles—they're milestones that remind us of how far we've come and how much we've grown. In this special birthday episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, Melie reflects on the past year and the surprising lessons resilience taught her through both joy and hardship.

From navigating singleness and dating disappointments, to coping with unexpected home repairs, to rediscovering joy through simple moments of laughter—this episode is a candid look at what it means to bend without breaking. With both faith and neuroscience as her guide, Melie shares how change shapes us, why resilience is often forged in life's hardest seasons, and how joy can still shine even in the middle of the mess.

If you've ever needed a reminder that you're still growing, still being shaped, and still not walking this journey alone—this conversation is for you.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode

Why resilience is rarely learned in calm, easy seasons—and how dumpster fires can strengthen us.
How neuroscience shows that stress and laughter actually rewire the brain.
The difference between joy and happiness—and why joy is worth pursuing in hard times.
Why letting go of old stories and creating new ones is key to resilience.
How faith reminds us that God's mercies are new every morning…and every birthday.

🙏 Faith & Neuroscience Takeaway

Resilience isn't about gritting your teeth—it's about leaning into God's strength while allowing your brain to rewire through practice, perspective, and even laughter.

🔗 Resources & Links

🎧 Subscribe to Diamonds in Dumpster Fires wherever you listen to podcasts.
💎 Connect with Melie on Instagram @meliewilliams
📩 Join the email list for encouragement and updates at diamondsindumpsterfires.com

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(78)

When You Don't Know If You're Done Yet

How do you know when something is really finished? After completing another round of revisions on my book, I found myself sitting with that question. The revisions are done—but does that mean the book...

7 Okt 9min

Finding God in the Gap with Nathan Westwick

What do you do when your life doesn't look anything like you thought it would? In this episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, Melie welcomes back licensed minister, author, and Wild Goose Coffee found...

16 Sep 46min

What I Want More of This Year

Birthdays often bring reflection, goal-setting, and questions about what we want from the year ahead. In this episode, I'm shifting the focus from what we want to accomplish to what we want to experie...

2 Sep 13min

The Minimum Viable Version of Showing Up

This week's episode is a little different—and that's exactly the point. After starting a new job and facing an especially full week, I almost skipped recording altogether. Instead, I started thinking ...

19 Aug 7min

Created for Delight: How Hobbies Help Us Grow Spiritually with Brianna Lambert

What if the hobbies you love aren't distractions from your spiritual life—but places where God is already meeting you? In this episode, Melie talks with author Brianna Lambert about her new book, Crea...

5 Aug 38min

Moving Toward One Another with Parfait Bassalé

What if friendship could be more than a source of comfort—and become a powerful force for healing division? In this episode, Melie talks with Parfait Bassalé, belonging strategist, conflict resolution...

15 Jul 40min

Awaken Delight in God with Stephanie Rousselle

What if delighting in God is not about forcing joy, ignoring pain, or checking all the "right" spiritual boxes? In this episode, Melie is joined by Stephanie Rousselle, Bible teacher, speaker, host of...

1 Jul 48min

Why Your Brain Keeps Saying "Tomorrow"

Sometimes the reason you keep saying "tomorrow" isn't laziness — it's your brain reaching for relief. In this episode, Melie explores procrastination through the lens of faith and neuroscience, unpack...

17 Jun 12min