Happy December my friend, it really is the most wonderful time of the year and I'm feeling so excited for this month as well as for a new year and fresh beginnings in 2020.

I feel like I have a million announcements before we head into today's episode, but they're all important, so stay with me.

First of all, I wanted to let you know that this will be our last episode for 2019.

I'm going to be taking the rest of the month of December off from airing episodes on 3 in 30 so that I can focus on my family and my faith this holiday season and take care of my health, which as you heard in last week's episode has been a bit of a roller coaster lately.

I have a lot, a lot of exciting plans for 3 in 30 as we head into 2020 and I need a bit of time and space to prepare in a way that will make it more possible for me to care for my family.

I have to be honest that it's a little scary for me to take a step back from the podcast for a month and not air anything, not even on core episodes, because the podcasting experts say never to do that or your community will forget about your show, it will get lost within their podcast app and your podcast will lose all the momentum that you've worked hard to gain.

I weighed the possibility that this might happen as I was making this decision whether or not to take the month off and I ultimately concluded that taking this break is what is best for me, my family and 3 in 30.

I know I don't need to give you a big disclaimer about all of this, but I decided that I did want to tell you the background on this decision because I want to give you permission to follow your gut in your heart when they tell you to slow down and make space.

Even if some expert somewhere or your own fear or anyone else in your life is telling you that all will be lost if you slow down and take a pause.

In the last few years I've really tried to stop living from a fear of scarcity and to start living from an assumption of abundance in my life and I made my decision from that place.

So I will be back on the very first Monday in January and I have faith that everything is going to be just fine with this community.

In fact, I believe it will be better than fine. I am so excited for what's in store for 3 in 30 in 2020 and so in the first Monday of the New Year rolls around let that be a little reminder for you that there will be a new episode of 3 in 30 and come on back and listen.

And in the meantime, if you need to catch up on old episodes now is your chance so dig into those archives.

Now for our second announcement don't forget about this month's sponsor which is Shine Cosmetics.

I am so grateful for this company which was founded by mothers and is run by mothers who are on a mission to be a positive voice in the beauty industry and removes sexualization from beauty products.

I truly love their makeup I use it every day and my favorite product of theirs is the Beauty Bome which is a super light foundation with SPF 15.

I also love their blush bronzer and lip colors. In fact, I did my first ever makeup tutorial this week on Instagram where I showed myself putting on their products and it was super awkward but I've heard it was helpful to moms like me who have to keep their beauty routines really easy and quick.

So if you're interested in seeing that tutorial and checking out the products from Shine go to 3 in 30 podcasts for its last shine.

These would be great stocking stuffers and gifts for friends or teachers and you can use the code 3 in 30 for 10% off.

And now on to the show. This episode is unlike anything I've aired on 3 in 30 before and I think it's such an important discussion.

I do want to say up front that I recognize that this topic is very nuanced it's complex and the guests and I couldn't possibly say everything that there is to say about it in a 30 minute episode.

In fact, the original interview was over an hour so I had to edit it down dramatically but hopefully this will give you some food for thought as you figure out your unique stance on the best ways to reach out to the most vulnerable people in your community.

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