In this episode of Rough Edges Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett an Educational Psychologist, author, and speaker to explore the powerful intersection of faith, identity, and psychology. With a background in parenting and identity development, Mary Ruth shares her personal and spiritual journey from her early desire to be a stay-at-home mom to becoming an author, podcaster, and voice helping others navigate intentional, faith-filled living.

Throughout the conversation, we cover the importance of pursuing knowledge with humility, integrating faith with developmental psychology, and making intentional parenting decisions rooted in both research and spiritual truth. Mary Ruth also reflects on her journey into podcasting and writing, the role of community and discernment in following God’s calling, and how her family has been part of that process.

We also talk about what it truly means to embrace your identity as God’s beloved daughter inspired by her book Daughter by Design. Mary Ruth opens up about how writing the book deepened her relationship with God, particularly in understanding and connecting with Him as a loving Father. She also shares how prayer, surrender, and obedience have shaped her spiritual life and influenced her work.

If you’ve ever struggled with identity, felt distant from God, or wanted to grow in both faith and self-understanding, this episode offers practical encouragement and a reminder of the beauty of being fully known and loved by God.

This episode also explores:

● How to build a deeper, more personal relationship with God as Father

● The role of reflection, prayer, and intentional living in spiritual growth

● How Daughter by Design helps readers reconnect with their identity and heal from

broken perceptions of fatherhood

● The importance of aligning your vocation with God’s calling

● The value of slowing down, reflecting, and actively engaging with what we consume

Resources and links mentioned in the episode:

● You can find Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett on social media through her INSTAGRAM!

● Purchase Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett’s book Daughter by Design HERE via Amazon on her website

● Check out her new book Discernment of Spirits for Beginners HERE

● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

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In this episode of Rough Edges, I am joined by Renee Firth, a mental health advocate and founder of ASD Mum Club, an online community dedicated to supporting mothers raising autistic children.

Renee shares her personal mental health journey including experiencing PTSD, anxiety, and depression after a traumatic car accident and how she rebuilt her life by developing practical tools to manage and protect her mental well-being.

We get to discuss the importance of stepping back and reassessing life during overwhelming seasons and why prioritizing mental health is a strategic decision rather than a sign of weakness.

Renee opens up about her experience as a mother to an autistic child, the mental and emotional toll caregiving can take, and how easily mothers can neglect themselves while trying to meet their child’s needs.

The conversation also explores the heart behind ASD Mum Club on why Renee created a calm, supportive space specifically for mothers, and how it helps them move from burnout and overwhelm to feeling more in control of their mental health.

Renee also addresses common misconceptions about parenting autistic children, emphasizing that mothers deeply love their children and are not wishing for a different life, but rather need support to navigate the challenges.

In this episode, we cover:

● Renee’s mental health journey and recovery after PTSD

● The realities of parenting an autistic child

● How caregiving impacts a mother’s mental health

● The inspiration and mission behind ASD Mum Club

● Common misconceptions about autism and parenting autistic children

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● Connect with Renee Firth on INSTAGRAM!

● Find out more about the ASD Mum Club HERE on their website

● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

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Hello everyone! Welcome to another episode of Rough Edges. In this episode, I sit down with stress-management expert and author Lolita Guarin to explore what it truly means to live a life rooted in peace, presence, and self-alignment.

Lolita shares how traveling across the world shaped her understanding of happiness, and why so many people who “have everything” still feel overwhelmed and unfulfilled. We talk about the emotional and physical impact of long-term stress, the importance of reclaiming rest, and learning to be instead of constantly doing. Lolita also breaks down her C.A.L.M. method, a practical approach to managing stress and creating sustainable well-being in everyday life.

In this episode we talk about:

● Lolita Guarin and her work as a stress management expert and author

● Why people with “everything” can still be stressed and unhappy

● The way constant stress affects health over time

● Tips for managing stress like taking small breaks during the day (Pomodoro-style but flexible)

● Generational conditioning especially for women being taught to constantly give, care, produce, and never rest

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● Connect with Lolita on ⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠!

●Learn more about Lolita’s CALM process ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠!

● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

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● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com