The Tried and Truth Podcast: Rethinking Success and Cultivating a Well-Led Life

The Missing Piece of the "Good Life" — with Dr. Lorraine Besser

You've built the life. You've checked the boxes. You've chased happiness and searched for meaning — and yet something still feels... off.
In this episode, philosopher and professor Dr. Lorraine Besser joins us to talk about the missing third dimension of the good life: psychological richness. Drawing from her research and groundbreaking book The Art of the Interesting, Dr. Besser reveals why happiness and meaning alone aren't enough — and what it actually takes to live a fuller, more captivating life.
We talk about why our plans might actually be limiting us, how to turn wasted moments into rich experiences, and the surprisingly simple mindset shift that can change everything — no new job, no sabbatical required.
In this episode:
What psychological richness is and why it matters
How over-planning shrinks our capacity for interesting experiences
The three things most correlated with a psychologically rich life: novelty, complexity, and challenge
Why we should stop "seizing the day" and start engaging with it
Practical ways to find interestingness in carpool lines, commutes, and everyday moments
Connect with Dr. Lorraine Besser:
Website: lorrainebesser.com
Instagram: @lorbesser
Book:The Art of the Interesting: What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life and How to Cultivate It 
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The Problem With Chasing Greatness (And What to Do Instead)

You've hit the milestones. You've checked the boxes. So why does it still feel like it's not enough?
In this episode, we're unpacking one of the most exhausting traps we fall into — the endless chase for a "greater" life — and why it's designed to leave you restless no matter how much you achieve. More importantly, you'll walk away with a simple shift that helps you finally feel good about the life you already have.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why greatness, as the world defines it, is built on measuring — and why that keeps you stuck
The difference between chasing great and practicing gratitude (it's not what you think)
3 practical takeaways you can apply today to stop the cycle and start seeing your life differently
This episode is for you if:
You're the woman who looks like she has it all together from the outside — great kids, a career you've worked hard for, a full life — and yet there's still a quiet voice that whispers still not enough
You've achieved things you once dreamed of, but somehow the finish line just keeps moving
You find yourself scrolling Instagram and suddenly what felt like a good day now feels like you're behind
You're tired of measuring your worth against everyone else's highlight reel and you're ready to actually feel good about the life you already have
The Tried and Truth Podcast is for the woman who wants real talk, honest perspective, and practical tools for living a life that actually feels good.
*If you want more conversations like this, you can:
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I’d love to have you there!
 

You’re Meant to See God for Yourself (Not Secondhand) with Jimmy & Kelly Needham

You don’t need another podcast episode about the Bible.
You don’t need another checklist, another quiet time routine, or another voice explaining it to you.
But if you’re honest…
You might feel disconnected.Like you want a deeper relationship with God—but most of what you’re experiencing feels secondhand.
Through podcasts. Devotionals. Other people’s insights.
And somewhere along the way, you started believing:“Maybe I just don’t know how to do this.”
This conversation is for you.
Jimmy and Kelly Needham join me to talk about what it actually looks like to read the Bible for yourself—not perfectly, not with hours of uninterrupted time, but in the real, full life you’re already living.
We talk about why more information isn’t leading to transformation…What it means to actually see God in Scripture…And how to build a faith that’s personal, not just inherited.
In this episode:
Why so many people are living off secondhand faith
The difference between reading the Bible for answers vs. reading it to know God
Why more knowledge doesn’t always lead to spiritual growth
A simple framework to make your time in Scripture more meaningful
How to build a consistent faith practice in busy seasons of life
Why your purpose isn’t something you find—it’s someone you walk with
A grounded definition of success that isn’t tied to achievement
A TRUTH TO SIT WITH:
You’re not transformed by more information.
You’re transformed by what you behold.
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS:
Your purpose is not a what—it’s a who. You don’t have to wait for a future calling to live meaningfully.
“I don’t have time” often means “I’m not making time.” The invitation is there—it just may not look how you expected.
Read the Bible to see God—not just to get answers. Information informs, but beholding transforms.
TIMESTAMPS:
6:26 — Family life & values
11:24 — The problem with secondhand faith
14:53 — Information vs. transformation
18:49 — Making time with God in busy seasons
28:54 — Information → Meditation → Conversation
30:52 — Friendship & real connection
36:25 — Purpose is not a what—it’s a who
41:30 — What success actually looks like
About Jimmy & Kelly Needham
Jimmy and Kelly Needham are authors, speakers, and hosts of the Clearly Podcast, where they help make the Bible accessible, practical, and transformational.
With over 20 years in ministry, they are passionate about helping people move from secondhand faith to personally engaging with Scripture.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
See for Yourself Bible Study — Jimmy & Kelly Needham
🎙️ The Clearly Podcast — Jimmy & Kelly's podcast making Scripture accessible
📚 Friendish and Purposefooled — Kelly Needham's books on friendship and purpose
📄 One Pagers — Free printable Bible reading companions for every book of the Bible (available on their patreon website)
*If you want more conversations like this, you can:
Follow me on Instagram @annicafischer for podcast clips + reflections
"Right Here, Lately..." is a little spark of inspiration, notes from the middle of real life, and what I’m returning to in your inbox—join the newsletter for more.
I’d love to have you there!
 

What We Get Wrong About Anxiety—And Why It Might Be Making It Worse for Our Kids w/ Dr. Tracy Foose

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What if worrying about your kid's anxiety is actually making it worse?
In this episode, I sit down with psychiatrist Dr. Tracy Foose — who has spent over 15 years studying fear and anxiety — to completely reframe how we think about these emotions as parents and as women.
We talk about why fear of fear is more damaging than anxiety itself, how we've all gotten caught in a hurricane of worry, the crucial difference between good stress and bad stress, and why raising kids who aren't afraid to fail might be the most important thing we can do.
This one is packed with insight, honesty, and practical tools you can use today.
In This Episode:
The Hurricane of Worry
Why worrying about our kids' anxiety feeds the very thing we're trying to fix — and how to break the cycle.
Fear of Fear
The surprising reason anxiety becomes an anxiety disorder — and it's not how anxious you are.
What We've Gotten Wrong About Anxiety
The cultural misconceptions that are making us and our kids more avoidant, not less.
The Avoidance Trap: What's Really Holding Your Kids Back (and You Too)
Why avoidance — not anxiety — is the real culprit, and the questions to ask your kid before you pull them from an activity.
Good Stress vs. Bad Stress
Not all stress is created equal. Here's how to tell the difference and why good stress actually grows your kids' brains.
Not Afraid to Fail
The most powerful thing you can do as a parent isn't a lecture — it's letting your kids watch you show up scared and do it anyway.
Highly Anxious People–  and their  incredible protective impact that they have on the world.
Connect with Dr. Tracy Foose:
Instagram: @TracyFoose.M.D

Why We Avoid the Quiet (And What It’s Costing Us)

Need a little spark in your week? Subscribe to the "Right Here, Lately" newsletter and never miss out! What if the thing you’ve been avoiding… is exactly what you need right now?
When was the last time you sat in real silence— no phone, no background noise, nothing to distract you—AND didn’t feel the urge to escape it?
Most of us don’t avoid stillness because we’re busy…we avoid it because of the unease we might find there.
In this short episode, I share a moment when everything around me literally stopped—and what it revealed about our constant need to do, fix, and fill the space.
Inside this episode:
Why stillness can feel so uncomfortable
What happens when control is taken off the table
The surprising connection between silence and clarity
A simple shift to help you notice what you’ve been missing
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or constantly in “to-do” mode, this is your invitation to pause—and simply be in stillness, even for a few minutes. Because stillness isn’t nothingness—it’s where you start to see what’s already there.
Resources Mentioned: 
Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth BartonIf this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Leave a review and help these encouraging conversations reach more people. Lastly, come follow along on Instagram @annicafischer
 

Finding Peace in Every Season with Tara Dew

What if the peace you're desperate for has nothing to do with your circumstances?
In this episode, I sit down with Tara Dew — author and Bible teacher to explore the life-changing truths of (and new way of seeing) Psalm 23. 
Tara shares practical ways to experience more peace, even as you walk through life's valleys, wilderness seasons and seasons of uncertainty through the lens of Psalm 23. We dive into daily rhythms of cultivating peace and what it means to live an overflowing life of joy and embrace change and growth, with patience and perspective.
Key Takeaways: 
Peace isn’t about absence of life's troubles.
Daily habits cultivate and anchor peace.
New seasons and paths can feel uncertain—but they often bring growth and opportunity.
Let this season have its place in your life. It's only temporary. 
Tara is the author of Overflowing Joy and Overflowing Peace. Connect with Tara on Facebook or check out overflowingjoybook.com.

The Pressure on Women: Redefining Worth, Success, and Calling with Jen Oshman

Are you exhausted by the pressure to do it all — and still quietly wondering, what am I even supposed to be doing?
You're not alone. So many women are carrying the weight of impossible expectations while still feeling unsure of their purpose, their role, and their worth.
In this episode, author and speaker Jen Oshman joins us for an honest, grounding conversation about the confusion so many women feel — about their roles, their worth, and what success is even supposed to look like.
Drawing directly from Genesis, Jen reminds us that women were created "very good", what scripture says about God's design for women, and the role they play as essential partners in God's bigger story.
This conversation is real, practical, and full of truth you can carry into today.
Key Takeaways:
You Matter — not because of what you produce, but because of who you are and why you're here.
Defining Success — moving from a numbers-driven life to a faithfulness-driven life.
Boundaries as Grace — learning how to drop the burdens God never gave you in the first place.
Finding Joy in the Hard — why calling doesn't always feel joyful, and why that's okay.
A New Perspective on Rest — resting isn't failure. It's a reset for your soul.
Ask Yourself: What Can You Let Go Of? — one expectation, one pressure, one role that was never really yours to carry.
About Jen Oshman:
Jen is an author, wife, mom, and women's ministry leader with a passion for helping women find their identity rooted in Christ and what scripture says rather than culture.
Find Jen on her website at jenoshman.com
 
 

Finding Creativity in the Middle of Real Life: The 'Create Anyway' Mindset with Ashlee Gadd

Do you ever wonder if the small creative things you do actually matter? Do you believe creativity is a luxury reserved for people with more time, more talent, or more perfect circumstances?
In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Gadd—author of Create Anyway and founder of Coffee and Crumbs—to talk about what it really means to create in the midst of real life. We dive into why your messy, ordinary days are actually the perfect place to start creating, how rest is an act of faith (not something you have to earn), and why going where the energy and "light" is matters more than forcing consistency.
Ashley shares honest, encouraging wisdom about pivoting when things aren't working, the freedom of making art without monetizing it, and how cheering for other creatives is the best antidote to comparison. If you've ever felt like your creative efforts are too small to matter, this conversation will remind you that your work is rippling out further than you'll ever know.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
Why creativity isn't reserved for people with extra time, talent or perfect circumstances - it's reserved for "real life"
How your creative work reaches further than you'll ever know - an seemingly invisible ripple effect
Rest as a radical act of faith and surrender (not something you earn through productivity)
Giving yourself permission to pivot, change course, and let unfinished things be a gift!
The difference between being consistent with your quality vs. your quantity
Why you don't have to monetize your creativity
 How we're loved regardless of what we do or accomplish in this world 
How celebrating other creatives kills the comparison trap
Ashley's almost 10 year journey with Coffee and Crumbs and slowing down to honor the craft of writing
Guest Bio: Ashley Gadd is a mom, writer, photographer, and the author of Create Anyway. She's also the founder of Coffee and Crumbs, an online community celebrating the intersection of motherhood and creativity. 
Resources Mentioned:
Create Anyway by Ashley Gadd
Coffee and Crumbs: coffeeandcrumbs.com
You're in Good Company:The Gift of Friendship, Motherhood and Showing Up (New book coming March 17, 2026)
Connect with Ashley: @coffeeandcrumbs @ashleegadd
6 Encouraging Takeaways:
You ARE creative—and you don't have to monetize it to make it valid.
Your creative work reaches further than you'll ever know.
Rest isn't something you earn—it's a gift and an act of faith.
Unfinished things can be a gift, too. 
You are loved regardless of anything you accomplish. 
Throw "glitter" on the people around you—cheer loudly for other creatives by sharing, celebrating, and lifting up their work. The more generously you celebrate others, the less you'll struggle with comparison and more likely you'll leave a creative legacy—being the person or platform that lifted up others.
If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Leave a review and help these encouraging conversations reach more people. Lastly, come follow along on Instagram @annicafischer

Turning 40: The Happiness Curve and Lessons I’m Carrying Forward

What if the statistical "low point" of your life is actually the perfect place to pause, reframe, and choose what you're carrying into the next season?
In this vulnerable and encouraging episode, I'm turning 40 (literally, today!) —and according to research on the "happiness curve," I'm entering the “nadir”, the absolute lowest point of the human contentment on the curve. But instead of spiraling into a midlife crisis, I'm choosing to see this moment differently.
This isn't about arriving at some perfect destination. It's about standing at the crossroads, catching my breath, and deciding which bags I'm ready to keep carrying and which ones I'm finally leaving on the side of the road.
What You'll Discover:
Why the "low point" of the happiness curve is actually an invitation to reframe your expectations and cultivate an expectant heart
The difference between balance (a myth) and practical balance (a dance)
How to find meaning in life's interruptions—ex: why my gluten allergy became one of my greatest gifts 
The power of being a beginner, creating more than you consume, and pausing before reacting
Why "directionally correct" matters more than distance traveled
>What I'm Carrying Into This Decade<
Be a cheerleader
Create more than you consume
Presence over perfection AND productivity
Practice the power of the pause
Build boundaries, not walls
Limitations are actually a gift
Movement as a sustainable lifestyle, not a rigid program
Invest in your marriage and friendships through the seasons
Be where you are—and don't rush this season
If you're feeling like you're at a low point, hear this: Your expectant heart can be higher than ever, even when your expectations for perfection are low. This chaotic, hopeful mess? It's exactly where you're supposed to be.
If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Leave a review and help these encouraging conversations reach more people. Lastly, come follow along on Instagram @annicafischer

Stop Searching for Yourself: Why Knowing Who God Is Changes Everything w/ Alena Franklin

This week, we sit down with a voice for the next generation, Alena Franklin, to explore how understanding who God is transforms the way we see ourselves, our pain, and our purpose.
You may recognize Alena from her breakout role in the film War Room, but her story goes far deeper. At just 14 years old, Alena experienced the sudden and tragic loss of her mother—a loss that shook her faith to its core and sent her on a profound journey of grief, identity, and rediscovering God's character.
Now, through her new devotional book "God Is: 60 Days to Learning Who God Is to Better Understand Who We Are," Alena is pouring wisdom into teen girls and women, offering a refreshing shift from inward searching to upward anchoring.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:
 -Why understanding God's character is the foundation for identity – Instead of endlessly asking "Who am I?", discover the power of asking "Who is God?"
-How to hold both pain and promise – Alena shares how grief and joy can coexist, and how God pursued her through her darkest season
-The simplicity of the gospel – Why we overcomplicate faith and how to return to the simple truths: love God, love people
-Practical ways to anchor in God's attributes
-Alena's beautiful definition of success: peace and stillness of mind in the midst of chaos
Quotes: 
 "If we would just look up, all of what's happening inside is actually so minuscule in comparison to who God is."
"God literally just tells us: love Him, love people. We add 90 million things to that list."
"Success to me is peace—a stillness of mind in the midst of whatever God is having me do."
Resources Mentioned:
"God Is: 60 Days to Learning Who God Is to Better Understand Who We Are" by Alena Franklin 
Film: War Room
Follow Alena on Instagram: @alenafranklin
*Connect with the Tried and Truth Podcast*
-Share this episode with a friend who needs it! 
-If you enjoyed this episode, check out this episode with Amber Smith on Finding Light in Your Darkest Moments: A Story of Faith, Loss, and Unexpected Strength
-Leave a review to help others find these conversations. 
-Connect with Annica on Instagram @annicafischer