Pursuing Uncomfortable with Melissa Ebken
This weekly podcast addresses the issues that keep us awake at night. Am I a good enough mom/dad/spouse? Am I living up to my potential? Am I giving my kids what they need to be successful in life? What will my parents need from me as they age? Am I a good co-parent? How can I handle confrontations better? All of these things make life difficult and uncomfortable! Let’s lean into all the uncomfortable and yucky stuff to find a path forward to a life we really want to live. (Music by Joe Calindrino, “September’s Realm”)
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Pursuing Uncomfortable with Melissa Ebken
This weekly podcast addresses the issues that keep us awake at night. Am I a good enough mom/dad/spouse? Am I living up to my potential? Am I giving my kids what they need to be successful in life? What will my parents need from me as they age? Am I a good co-parent? How can I handle confrontations better? All of these things make life difficult and uncomfortable! Let’s lean into all the uncomfortable and yucky stuff to find a path forward to a life we really want to live. (Music by Joe Calindrino, “September’s Realm”)
Recent Episodes
12
Nov. 29, 2023
Pursuing What's Next with Melissa and Gretchen
Melissa sits down with Gretchen Cromwell, who does all the transcripts for the podcast. Gretchen and Melissa discuss what surprised them along the way, some memorable guests, and what's next for Pursuing Uncomfortable. Sign up for updates Follow Gretchen: Instagram Facebook Support the showMore From Melissa and Pursuing Uncomfortable: Resources fiLLLed Life Newsletter YouTube Leave a review Pursuing Uncomfortable Book
11
Nov. 22, 2023
Pursuing the Truth with Judy Foreman
Join host Melissa as she interviews accomplished author and journalist, Judy Foreman. In this episode of Pursuing Uncomfortable, Judy shares about her experiences with chronic pain, passion for exercise, and her journey from childhood trauma to healing, as narrated in her memoir,"Let the More Loving One Be Me." They delve deep into the power of therapy to unravel family truths and generational patterns. Judy also addresses emotional courage, emphasizing the importance of seeking truth in one's l
10
Nov. 15, 2023
Pursuing the Meaning of Your Dreams with Megan Mary
Megan has been fascinated by dreams since she was a child. She had both incredible flying dreams and disturbing nightmares, always wanting to understand their meaning. She would look up dream dictionaries but found them unsatisfying. Megan was drawn to the magical and mystical, loving Halloween because it acknowledged the presence of spirits. However, it wasn't until she faced a serious health crisis that she reevaluated her life and listened to her inner calling. Through meditation and spiritua
9
Nov. 8, 2023
Pursuing a New Career at 50 with John Tarnoff
On this episode of Pursuing Uncomfortable, Melissa welcomes career transition coach John Tarnoff to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by mid to late career professionals. They delve into the statistics of job loss for individuals over 50, John's personal journey through various industries, and the importance of embracing change and finding the right fit in today's fast-paced and disrupted economy. Tune in as they uncover the power of self-reflection and proactive decision-making in
8
Nov. 1, 2023
Pursuing Bella Santini with Angela Legh
Welcome to another episode of Pursuing Uncomfortable! In today's episode, we are joined by the incredible Angela Legh, a children's author who has created something truly special with her Bella Santini Chronicles. Angela's books are designed to help children navigate emotional challenges like bullying and abandonment, empowering them with the tools to overcome and thrive. But before diving into her fascinating work, Angela shares her own personal journey of growth and transformation. From a diff
7
Oct. 25, 2023
Pursuing the Happiness Habit with Kara Payton
Welcome to another episode of Pursuing Uncomfortable! In today's episode, titled "Pursuing the Happiness Habit with Kara Payton," our host Melissa is joined by special guest Kara. They dive into the power of internal conversations, the impact of subconscious beliefs, and the importance of reframing our perspectives. Together, they explore the journey of personal development and overcoming fear to create lasting change. Kara, who started a podcast called the Happiness Habit, shares their own tran
102
Oct. 18, 2023
Episode 102: Pursuing Writing Romance with Liv Arnold
Welcome to another captivating episode of Pursuing Uncomfortable! In today's episode, we have the talented and insightful Liv Arnold joining us to talk about her journey as a romance writer and the powerful themes she explores in her books. Liv takes us on a fascinating exploration of her own experiences with anxiety and how writing has become her outlet for understanding and coping with her symptoms. Her series, Investor in You, delves into the world of finance, crime, and the challenges faced
101
Oct. 11, 2023
Episode 101: Pursuing a Less Stressful Life with Prof. Pete Alexander
In this episode of Pursuing Uncomfortable, host Melissa welcomes special guest Prof. Pete Alexander, a multi-talented individual with a wealth of knowledge and experiences to share. Prof. Pete discusses the power of laughter as a stress relief technique and how it can positively impact our health and well-being. He also opens up about his personal journey with stress and burnout, sharing a pivotal moment that led him to prioritize his health over his career. Tune in to this insightful episode as
100
Oct. 4, 2023
Episode 100: Pursuing Courageous Vulnerability with Justin Brien
Welcome to a special episode of the Pursuing Uncomfortable podcast. Today, we are joined by the incredible Justin Bryan, a mental health advocate, speaker, transformational coach, and author. Justin's journey is one of immense courage, vulnerability, and ultimately, triumph. From battling self-esteem issues as a child to struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges as a young adult, Justin's story is a testament to the power of resilience and self-discovery. In this episode, we d
99
Sept. 27, 2023
Episode 99: Pursuing Sober Living with Megan Webb
In this episode of "Pursuing Uncomfortable," host Melissa is joined by guest Megan Webb to discuss the journey of pursuing sober living. Megan shares her personal story of addiction, recovery, and finding her purpose in helping others on their own sober journey. They delve into the importance of support, listening to the voice within, and the subtle signs that may indicate a problematic relationship with alcohol. Join Melissa and Megan as they shed light on the path to sobriety and the resources
98
Sept. 20, 2023
Episode 98: Pursuing Healthy Boundaries with Sheryl Green
Welcome back to Pursuing Uncomfortable, the podcast where we dive deep into challenging topics to fuel personal growth and self-discovery. In today's episode, "Pursuing Boundaries," we have the incredible Sheryl Green joining us to share her journey towards establishing healthy boundaries in her life. From struggling to find her path to discovering her talent for writing, Sheryl's story is one of resilience and self-discovery. We'll explore the importance of recognizing physical cues, such as th
97
Sept. 12, 2023
Episode 97: Pursuing Creative and Successful Thinking with Wayne Faulkner
In this episode of "Pursuing Uncomfortable," host Melissa interviews Wayne Faulkner, an author and coach, about his journey as a writer and his unique approach to thinking and creativity. Wayne shares his four-step process of thinking, creating, meditating, and journaling, which he believes are essential for success. He emphasizes the importance of meditation in accessing ideas and insights from the infinite source and discusses the benefits of journaling in gaining clarity and reflecting on per
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Recent Blog Posts
Nov. 29, 2023
Pursuing Uncomfortable: Reflecting on 100+ Inspiring Stories
Welcome to the Pursuing Uncomfortable Podcast, a show dedicated to encouraging listeners to lean into the uncomfortable aspects of life. In this episode titled "Pursuing What's Next with Melissa and Gretchen," host Melissa Ebken and transcriber Gret…
Nov. 22, 2023
Unraveling Uncomfortable Truths with Judy Foreman on the Pursuing Uncomfortable Podcast
In the latest episode of the highly acclaimed Pursuing Uncomfortable podcast, Melissa sits down with a remarkable guest, Judy Foreman. As an accomplished author and journalist, Judy's work primarily unfurls the thematic realities of chronic pain, ex…
Nov. 15, 2023
Title: Decoding the Language of Dreams: Unveiling the Power Within
Dreams have fascinated humans for centuries, offering a mysterious realm where the boundaries of reality and imagination blur. In this blog post, we delve into the captivating world of dreams with the guidance of dream analyst Megan Mary. Drawing fr…
About the Host
Melissa Ebken
Podcaster, Pastor, Author, Coach
Melissa was called into ministry, much to her surprise, after becoming a biologist and serving for ten years in the IL Army National Guard as a utility helicopter mechanic, the first woman to do so. She has served in Illiopolis and Niantic since 2001.
Melissa is at home in the difficult spaces of peoples’ lives, willing to listen and to walk with those who struggle and suffer. She is a trained coach and has consulted with churches in conflict. Her current pursuits include founding a Virtual Assistant training academy, forming a ministry co-op to better serve small churches, supporting nurses to thrive in stressful climates through building emotional intelligence, and guiding people who are ready to lean into and overcome difficult challenges and experiences in their lives.
She authored a book Teach Us To Pray: An Ancient Model For a Modern Day, and has a podcast called Pursuing Uncomfortable.