Nikki Humphrey (00:00)
Summer has a way of slowing us down, but it can also quietly fill us up with things we never intended. More scrolling, busyness, more treats, less rest, less time with God. This week on Equip Fellowship, we're asking one simple question. What are you feeding your mind, body, and spirit this summer? No guilt, no impossible checklist,
Hope Mangiafico (00:21)
Okay.
Nikki Humphrey (00:23)
just a fun conversation about making small choices that help us feel
healthier, closer to God, and more present in this season. So grab your iced coffee, head out for a
Hope Mangiafico (00:38)
Yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (00:39)
walk, or relax on the porch. We're so glad you're here.
I'm Nikki.
Hope Mangiafico (00:43)
Hi, I'm Hope. Welcome to a quick fellowship where friends become family through Christ. We're two Jesus-loving friends on a mission to share personal stories, resources, and real talk about our triumphs, breakthroughs, struggles, and setbacks. Why? Because we believe you are called to live victoriously, and we're here to equip you with Holy Spirit-led tools and strategies to strengthen your faith, transform your mind, and walk boldly in God's promises. Because here's to truth, friend.
You've been given great and precious promises by God. So grab your iced coffee, lean in, and let's grow together. It's time to step into everything God has for you.
Nikki Humphrey (01:21)
That's right. And right now it's we're in the heat of summer people. And summer is one of those seasons where life just feels different. The schedules change, vacations happening, jobs change, kids are home, gardens are growing or dying, girls are fired up. And if you're anything like us, your routines have probably become a little flexible. I'm using air quotes.
Today's conversation isn't about creating the perfect summer. It's simply a check-in because whether we realize it or not, we're feeding ourselves every single day, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. The things we watch, the conversations we have, the books we read, the music we listen to, the food we eat, the thoughts we entertain, the time we spend with God. Every one of those
Hope Mangiafico (02:00)
Mm. Okay.
Nikki Humphrey (02:19)
things is shaping us. So today we're talking about what's feeding our minds, our bodies and our spirits this summer. And hopefully giving you a few simple ideas that will help you finish this season feeling refreshed instead of depleted.
Hope Mangiafico (02:38)
Hey man, I know it's interesting because I'm not a parent Nikki is a parent and I know that I more often than not hear the You did the intro of like summer has a way of slowing us down, but I feel that I hear parents more often be like
but it's really picking up, you know? Like the intentionality you have to put into summer is next level. And so today is a resource kind of day of sharing what we have utilized or we're in the middle of utilizing. also like, I feel like I need to remind the listener that I often need a reminder to be intentional. And to slow down slash,
Slow down, be present is probably the biggest thing. So I'm really excited as we go through these questions and talk, because I don't know any of your answers and I have to really sit on these myself. So let's go, girl.
Nikki Humphrey (03:39)
Let's
do it. And as you were talking, Hope, not only what you just said, but reminder this summer, have fun, loosen up, be silly. Sometimes we
Hope Mangiafico (03:51)
Hmm.
Nikki Humphrey (03:52)
can get so caught up in planning for the things and making the stuff for the potluck and where we're going,
Hope Mangiafico (03:58)
So true.
Nikki Humphrey (03:59)
who we got to visit, do that checklist of all the things. Here's a reminder to you. We have to have fun.
Hope Mangiafico (04:07)
And a great point of having fun is guys, know, sunlight changes in the summer and we're having to adjust today and we were rolling. I mean, it took us a minute to get started because the amount of adjustments I'm doing today and I probably should just embrace, I can't even see the screen right now, embrace the fact. But here's what's fun about that. I am so grateful actually, right? Like we're doing a later podcast recording.
thank the Lord for longer days in the summer and it's, it's worst case, right? Like I get hit by the sun. It's okay. We had a lot of fun with it. And so it's,
It's so easy, whether it's a busy schedule with kids or your own schedule or new jobs like we talked about, to focus on the distraction and the change instead of embracing it and letting the Lord do what he wants to do and to be in the moment having fun because he's a fun father. And I'm preaching to myself at the moment. I told Nikki before I recorded how grateful I was.
that after a wild couple days to just be on here and be reminded by community to be able to just enjoy and have fun. Yes. Yes.
Nikki Humphrey (05:26)
So let's dig in. We got
some questions here and we're gonna free ball it, cause we're having fun. We're being lighthearted and hopefully, well, I know I'm gonna learn something from Hope today. And hopefully you listening or watching are gonna learn a little something too. Just either how wacky we are or like that was a good nugget you shared.
Hope Mangiafico (05:48)
I like Waggy. So are we going to do a little bit of mind questions, kind of like feeding the mind what we're doing for the body, what we're doing for the spirit kind of thing? I
Nikki Humphrey (05:59)
Yeah,
Hope Mangiafico (05:59)
like it.
Nikki Humphrey (06:00)
a whole holistic approach.
Hope Mangiafico (06:02)
Yeah, we were a big fan of that. Man, so are you currently reading anything?
Nikki Humphrey (06:10)
I am, I brought it with me.
Hope Mangiafico (06:13)
Ooh, well, show and tell.
Nikki Humphrey (06:15)
I am reading John Bevere's new book, The King is Coming. It's time to prepare
Hope Mangiafico (06:20)
Hmm.
Nikki Humphrey (06:21)
for the return of Christ. And this
Hope Mangiafico (06:23)
Mmm.
Nikki Humphrey (06:24)
is not the doom and gloom book. Like this is not like the wrath and like all of that. It's like how to prepare ourselves because we all are the bridegroom and Jesus is coming for his bride. And that's us. That's you. That's me. That's everybody listening and
watching and it is really like preparing like we always talk about your mind your body your spirit because The king is coming. We don't know when like Could be tomorrow 30 years from now. We don't know but the excitement he done prepares it to like a bride getting ready
Hope Mangiafico (07:04)
Yes. Yes.
Nikki Humphrey (07:06)
and I know when I was planning my wedding and YouTube probably hope like all the details everything that you
Hope Mangiafico (07:13)
Yes. Hmm.
Nikki Humphrey (07:13)
pondered over and all the little decisions you made and the dress and the flowers and this and that. And that's how he encourages us to like get
ready. And I don't know, it just made me think of a different way about when Jesus is coming back and how it's really an exciting time and nothing to fear and just be ready.
Hope Mangiafico (07:39)
Yeah, I've always viewed it kind of exciting, but I'll be honest. I've already learned something from you. I have never thought about how as a bride the details are actually what matter the most to us. And like I was at a wedding somewhat recently and they were taking me around to show me all the details because you've poured yourself into the detail so much as the bride and you better believe you want your people to see all of that.
and making us ready for the most ultimate wedding ceremony ever, right? Marriage ceremony. We have to be that way in times of million, right? And that just opened my eyes in a new way too and adds that element of excitement you were talking about. That's beautiful. I love that. I am not reading a book right now, but I'll tell you something. This might be...
It's funny because we're talking about mind, but you already jumped into another element of the holistic part. Like I think the longer you walk with the Lord, you can't separate these three. We talk about it all the time. And so I've entered a new season of life just in general. And so I am restructuring everything. And there's been a, it's called, I get a text message every morning to listen to a worship.
Devotional is what it's called and it's by Shane and Shane and it's literally called Worship Devotional with the worship initiative and it's usually about 12 to 15 minutes long.
they go through scripture, they talk about personal stories, they'll have a guest on, whether it's a pastor or another worship leader or something, an artist, whatever it may be. And it combines all the elements of growth for me because they remind you of the Father's goodness. They speak on hardships of life, so they're reminding you to like, focus on the things that matter. And then of course, your singing, your worshiping, they invite you in to just
go to town. And so just with this transition that I've been walking through, I've been doing that daily and I have loved it because it aids me in keeping the main thing the main thing, you know. It's been awesome.
Nikki Humphrey (10:04)
That's so cool. That sounds really exciting. You get a little bit Jesus, a little bit of Bible, a little bit of worship, all wrapped up.
Hope Mangiafico (10:10)
Yeah, testimonies,
all of it in like 12 to 15 minutes, but it feels so long because they've prepared, they've walked you through the preparation of your heart to do the worshiping. It's great. So that's my favorite everything.
Nikki Humphrey (10:29)
love it. All right. Now during this season, do you have any favorite podcasts that you are besides the
Hope Mangiafico (10:38)
and
Nikki Humphrey (10:38)
quick fellowship because that one I heard is amazing.
Hope Mangiafico (10:41)
the best of the best. have, I've heard that too. I
really have. But no, I really have not been in a season of consuming any, I don't know, consuming, consumption I guess is really it, you know? And it's been so fascinating because you and I've talked about how we've been the podcast listeners, the devourers of information, if you will. And sometimes,
in a season of not consuming, it's weird because I'm like, Lord, how did I consume before? You know, like I used to go to bed reading every night. You girls like, I can't even imagine doing that right now. You know, and I used to do everything with podcasts on where I'm doing the dishes or whatever. How did I do that, God? And I realized actually on my drive home today, because I had a commute that I have never.
done before. I was telling Nikki, your girl's never had to have a commute and this is like 40, 45 minutes long, which sounds like a great time to have a podcast, but I've actually been listening to music because I also haven't made time for that. Anyways, outside of the Shane and Shane thing, the Lord was speaking to me while I was driving because I'm doing a new job I've never done and they were, it's in an industry that used to intimidate me.
And the Lord reminded me how you never have to think you're ill prepared, you're not doing the right things because he will always show up at the right time and make it all work. Things like literally these are terms that would make me freeze when I had to do like formal paperwork. And now it's my everyday language and I'm not afraid. And that's just how he is. And so as you listen to us talk about podcasts, books, whatever, it's like, always remember.
not the literal season, because we're all in the summer, but, well, locally we are in the US, but that if you're in a season this summer that doesn't involve listening and reading and all the things, then it's not the season for you to do it and it's okay. He makes it all okay. And when it's the right time, it's just gonna work.
Nikki Humphrey (12:54)
As you're speaking of, I got this download. It's like, you weren't listening to like a podcast on like Apple or Spotify or YouTube. You were listening to the Godhead podcast. You are getting your own internal download on your commute.
Hope Mangiafico (13:14)
It's so true and it encouraged me so much and that's that's a whole nother conversation because this is the area I thought I was dumb in, right? He's like, baby girl, you weren't dumb. It was just not the time. The
Nikki Humphrey (13:27)
That's right.
Hope Mangiafico (13:29)
Godhead. I like it. What'd say the Godhead podcast?
Nikki Humphrey (13:32)
Yes.
Hope Mangiafico (13:33)
Yeah, this is the truth, man.
Nikki Humphrey (13:36)
We tune in by frequency.
Hope Mangiafico (13:38)
This is great. I love it. yeah, so that's my podcast, the Godhead podcast. What about you?
Nikki Humphrey (13:46)
So I listen to a of podcasts that you find on Apple or Spotify, just because I run a lot and I'm
Hope Mangiafico (13:55)
Yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (13:56)
always in the car and I just have a lot of time to do that, which I love. This one is called Culture Apothecary and it's all about different people's healing journeys and it's all about the
Hope Mangiafico (14:10)
Yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (14:12)
body's ability to heal itself.
And I really need to hear that message like over and over and over. And the woman who does it, like she's a believer too. She's a Christian. And so it's all a lot of people of faith coming in and talking about their healing journeys or what they're doing. And just like, they'll have like fun ones about like clean cosmetics or workout wear or just different things. But it again, just like for you Hope, with the Godhead,
Hope Mangiafico (14:16)
. you
Nikki Humphrey (14:43)
frequency download you're getting. It's just the encouragement I need right now
Hope Mangiafico (14:47)
Yes.
Nikki Humphrey (14:48)
in this season. Sometimes if you're not on a healing journey, healing podcasts can be like a lot.
Hope Mangiafico (14:55)
Amen.
So true timing.
Nikki Humphrey (14:58)
You know,
it's been so
encouraging, even though not every episode is about healing, but a lot is because people are going through a lot and it just helps me.
Hope Mangiafico (15:12)
Such a good reminder. my gosh. Yeah, that compliments so well with my Godhead frequency wise. Really? That's amazing. I love that. So the next thought in question is something new you've learned and I feel like I might have, I have to think about this one because I might have already answered it by accident. Do you have a nugget about that?
Nikki Humphrey (15:34)
So it started maybe in the spring, but like really ramped up in the summer. I have to eat a certain way and it has to be like all whole foods, nothing in a package, know, whole food, meals, snacks, everything. And I've really gotten in to learn to make all my food from scratch.
Hope Mangiafico (15:56)
Love that.
Nikki Humphrey (15:57)
which sounds so intimidating and hope knows like I broke down like crying like I can't do it like it's too much like I was completely in overwhelm and freeze mode like I just couldn't wrap my head around it. I just remember talking
Hope Mangiafico (15:57)
Yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (16:15)
to my homeopath like I was like doing this like touching my head like the whole time like making these dramatic hands because I was like but I've gotten so confident.
Hope Mangiafico (16:21)
So. So.
Nikki Humphrey (16:27)
with just like making all the things that I used to buy. Some things I can't eat anyone, which is sad, but I found so many other things to replace it. something that I thought was impossible, I can do it now, no problem.
Hope Mangiafico (16:46)
I love that so much. You know, I have started a new job and it's interesting how often this one lady I've been shadowing specifically, she's like, so overwhelming at first, it was so overwhelming at first, it was so overwhelming at first. She's like, but now it's second nature. And I was like, that will preach, right? Like, it's not just about a job, it's about anything that you get news on.
and you have to make a change. I was telling Nikki before we recorded, like, I'm in a little bit of overwhelm, not actually because of the workload as much as the change. And I'm in the process of learning how to not, so this is my answer to this question, I guess. This wasn't the answer I was thinking of. This is what I'm gonna give. How to not necessarily be flat, right, and have no response to things, but how to recover more quickly.
when something throws me for a loop. And that has been an interesting perspective for me instead of always striving for perfection, which is my history. It's what I tend to do. It's how do you rebound? How do you come back? What are the tools? And that's what I've been learning are tools to help me in the stretching and the change and just things that feel really overwhelming. That's been great for me.
Nikki Humphrey (18:07)
All right. Anything else for the mind before we move on to the body?
Hope Mangiafico (18:12)
I don't think so.
I will add, I have felt...
stronger than ever mentally, which has been really encouraging.
I'm forever like so grateful for that. say forever because I don't know if I ever dreamt I could ever say something like that.
Nikki Humphrey (18:30)
Yeah.
Hope Mangiafico (18:30)
And I'm so grateful. So yeah, I don't have anything to add. Cause I'm like, man, Lord, you're showing me through this podcast episode. Like girl, you've come a long way.
Nikki Humphrey (18:41)
Threats.
I mean, really, if you, we're going to toot our horn for a second, which God likes.
Hope Mangiafico (18:49)
He does, the Heaven Hype
Nikki Humphrey (18:53)
But if you think
about where we were in January, and we've been through a lot since January through now, like both of us, like wave after wave after wave.
Still coming.
It's still coming. Like my oven stopped working the other day and I'm praying Jesus over it and it did come back on. I don't know if it's going to stay fixed but.
Hope Mangiafico (19:17)
That's awesome. Hey, just say the name whenever, right? There's no like, it's gonna work for 24 hours. We believe in the power of the name, period.
Nikki Humphrey (19:26)
just like how holistically how we both have changed so much. like you were referring to hope, it's just that little chipping away. It's like not being so overwhelmed that we get stuck or we get frozen. Like we may have those moments, but we're just like the next one we get back online and we just make that 1 % shift, which we talk about in the podcast all the time. And we just
Hope Mangiafico (19:54)
Yes.
Yes.
Nikki Humphrey (19:55)
It's like a little teeny shovel and we're just like, okay, I'm just digging away at it. But it is like nothing's perfect in my life. Nothing's perfect in the hopes life right now. We got a lot of good, but we still have a lot of things that we are battling.
Hope Mangiafico (20:12)
It's okay.
Nikki Humphrey (20:13)
But stay persistent, like the version of me
in January is no longer here.
Hope Mangiafico (20:21)
So true. It's definition of a new creation. I like to view it almost as a daily new creation, right? If his mercies are new every morning, we have to wake up to the fact that, the person even we were yesterday, we're not today. And accepting that and to in your own horn is one way to finally accept that and be grateful and celebrate. I love that. I, amen, sister. I couldn't agree more. So good.
So that means we're going to go into the body, right? I'm
Nikki Humphrey (20:49)
Yes.
Hope Mangiafico (20:51)
excited for this to ask you these questions since you're on this journey of the transition you've made over the past couple of months. So what's your favorite healthy snack?
Nikki Humphrey (21:00)
I have two. First one is cherries, because cherries are in season. And I can't get enough of them. And cherries are expensive.
Hope Mangiafico (21:10)
awesome.
Nikki Humphrey (21:12)
But I found some on sale yesterday. So I'm back in business with the cherries.
Hope Mangiafico (21:18)
I love that.
Nikki Humphrey (21:19)
The second one is these like, they're called cookies, but people they aren't cookies. It's literally.
It's literally made with pumpkin seed butter. I don't know if you've ever had pumpkin seed butter, but
Hope Mangiafico (21:36)
think
I might have made it in the past. used to make, fill in the blank seed, butter for everything, all kinds
Nikki Humphrey (21:41)
Yes.
Hope Mangiafico (21:42)
of stuff.
Nikki Humphrey (21:43)
So the pumpkin seed, has pumpkin seed butter. It has pure maple syrup and selt flour. And
Hope Mangiafico (21:52)
Hmm.
Nikki Humphrey (21:53)
then you like make them in little cookies and you, I sprinkle a little fleeky sea salt on top, bake them and like, those are so good.
Hope Mangiafico (22:05)
Ooh, that's cool. Do you buy the pumpkin seed butter or do you make it?
Nikki Humphrey (22:10)
They do have one at Whole Foods that's clean enough for me to get, but I do make it sometimes. But sometimes I just don't have the time to be standing in front of the food processor for ever.
Hope Mangiafico (22:19)
That's, it takes
a, it takes a long time, cause you gotta, like it got to get hot, and it's gotta do all of the, yeah, yeah, long gone are those days. I used to literally make all kinds of butters. I thought it was so fun. That was a long time ago.
Nikki Humphrey (22:30)
Mm-hmm.
sometimes I make macadamia nut butter.
Hope Mangiafico (22:35)
I love macadamia nuts. Give me a macadamia nut cookie, I like, I'll take it every time. That's a healthy snack. Man, so it's been fascinating because I have not the same way that you have, Nikki, but I've just been enjoying cooking more in general, including like, I really love trail mix and...
You know, you can buy that anywhere. There's a million and ten out there. But I've really enjoyed putting together my own nuts. So like, let's just say sunflower seeds, right? You can go buy those out, but they're usually in seed oil. They have all this stuff added to them. Like, it's just hard. So I'll get like raw sunflower seeds, roast them myself, add my own little salt, right? And I'll get pistachios and raisins and...
This is where it gets expensive. I would say it's cheaper to make your own, but then it's like not really because I like to get the 85 % cacao nothing added. Chocolate squares. But when I put all that together, it's like my favorite little snack. I'm like got the balance of everything I need. Blood sugars respond really well even though I got the raisins. It just makes me happy. Trail mix has always made me really happy. I've really enjoyed making that.
Nikki Humphrey (23:55)
I love a good trail mix too because it's like a choose your own adventure. You're like.
Hope Mangiafico (24:00)
Yeah, we got, we got to do, yeah, when I visited you, you had your trail mix thin that you made.
Nikki Humphrey (24:05)
You do might look a little salt a little savory a little whatever.
Hope Mangiafico (24:08)
Yes,
Nikki Humphrey (24:10)
Yeah
Hope Mangiafico (24:11)
choose your own adventure. love that. It's a perfect way to describe it. So what? Okay. So snackies. What about meals?
Nikki Humphrey (24:17)
Well, this is going to sound like so basic, but when I do the sweet potatoes, I've been liking it and Luke and Josephine will do it too. So I get my chicken and I like, I always like cut my chicken breasts in half because I want them to cook quick. So I'm like slicing those in half, getting those going. But I take my sweet potatoes and I do them in like little teeny tiny cubes.
And then I do like the olive oil on it, put it on the baking sheet, a little sea salt, sprinkle and bake them like really good. So they're like crispy on the outside and
Hope Mangiafico (24:57)
Yes.
Nikki Humphrey (24:59)
soft in the middle. So good. And then I just make like a regular rice and then I just chop up some cilantro from the garden and put it in there. And I like to mix my crispy sweet potatoes into my rice and then.
chicken and yeah, so good.
Hope Mangiafico (25:20)
Yeah, sounds amazing. I love simple.
Nikki Humphrey (25:23)
Yes.
Hope Mangiafico (25:24)
Like, not even like, because it's easier. Like, my taste buds love simple.
Nikki Humphrey (25:28)
Bye.
Hope Mangiafico (25:29)
I don't mind flavor, but like, I like crave simple meals. It's kind of strange. I have felt like it was strange. I love everything you said about that. It sounds amazing. Gosh, I don't have a specific. I will say something I've enjoyed doing.
and Nikki knows this about me, like I like don't love deep diving into AI for all the things, but something I've been telling people and they're like, that's a good use of AI. If your girl's got some ground beef or ground turkey, some rice, this thing or another, I say, I got these items, give me a super, actually I say super flavorful meal, because I like simple, my husband likes flavorful, he
Nikki Humphrey (26:10)
Yeah.
Hope Mangiafico (26:12)
eats more, so I'll cater to that. He's never been as happy in his life with my food.
and I've actually been happy. And if it gives me ingredients I don't have, I say, I don't have this and it substitutes it. It has been fun. That's one reason I've enjoyed cooking again is it does the work, but I've got what I need. then I actually, Nikki, I am learning things I didn't know about how things work when they get heated together, right? Or when to put your seasonings in. I'm actually
Nikki Humphrey (26:45)
Yes.
Hope Mangiafico (26:45)
learning.
So that's my favorite summer meal.
Nikki Humphrey (26:49)
So I did that, I love that, cause it is, I did that yesterday because Josephine wanted like a mac and cheese and I was just like, I cannot, I cannot do that. Cause most of the cheeses I can't have or whatever, but I knew that I could have Mars Capone cheese. So I went on
Hope Mangiafico (27:08)
Mmm.
Nikki Humphrey (27:10)
the AI and I was like, can you make a mac and cheese or a cheese sauce of Mars Capone cheese?
cream. And you can. And it was so good because I got the noodles that I could eat. I made my little cream sauce, the Mars Capone, poured it on there. They loved it. They ate like, I mean, like they were so happy and I could eat it and be like,
Hope Mangiafico (27:38)
Yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (27:40)
that's good too. And like nobody missed out.
Hope Mangiafico (27:42)
What makes that cheese different than other cheeses?
Nikki Humphrey (27:45)
It's a soft cheese.
Hope Mangiafico (27:46)
So easier to digest.
Nikki Humphrey (27:48)
And it's not like aged, know, like cheddar's aged, all those other cheeses are aged. So like a fresh mozzarella I could have, Mars Capone I could have, some cream cheeses I could even have if they're like really clean. Like, yeah.
Hope Mangiafico (28:06)
Interesting. Huh, that sounds fun. Okay, well here's another question. What is the pasta you can have?
Nikki Humphrey (28:15)
So I just have to look at the ingredients. It just has to be really simple. Like the one, yeah, it had like three ingredients. And
Hope Mangiafico (28:24)
Okay.
Nikki Humphrey (28:25)
I was just like, yep, I can have that.
Hope Mangiafico (28:29)
Oh, that's awesome. Okay. I was like, at this rate, yeah, if there's something that you, a little nugget you share, I'm like, everyone needs to know what you're finding because the way you're eating is like hashtag goals actually, right?
Nikki Humphrey (28:41)
Right. Yeah.
Hope Mangiafico (28:42)
Once you get over that overwhelm, I feel like anyways, it's such a dream to just keep it simple because you know you're going to feel well. So I might have follow ups for a lot of your statements you make.
Nikki Humphrey (28:56)
Good. Alright. So in the summer, you have a favorite movement or activity you like to do?
Hope Mangiafico (29:02)
So, currently...
I've been on the like fascia train, lack of a better term. I know that's kind of going around a little bit of a buzzword, but I again started a new job and right before starting this job, I was doing the whole getting up, going outside, put my feet in the grass, like going slow. But like while I got my feet in the grass, like I'm just doing movements that are loosening up my body. And I'll tell you what.
I feel the change in my whole body by doing these movements and I'm just learning my body more. And so even with the new job, trying to figure out when to leave the house, I'm making sure to go outside and stand and do these movements and talking to the Lord and just enjoying my favorite thing in the world, which is being outside. And of course in summer, getting out before it starts bacon.
it is just so nice. And that's it. Like it's my favorite movement because I feel so refreshed.
Nikki Humphrey (30:10)
I love that.
Hope Mangiafico (30:12)
Me too.
Nikki Humphrey (30:13)
think
it's Josephine and I this summer too. I'm like, take off your shoes, put your feet in the grass, girl. Like, get your feet in the grass.
Hope Mangiafico (30:19)
Girl, you know what I told Shawn, my husband, before I started this job this week? I said, Shawn, I haven't worn shoes this much in a really long time.
Nikki Humphrey (30:31)
What?
Hope Mangiafico (30:32)
I gave them my mom. She's been wearing like no shoes, because she watches how little I wear shoes. And I'm like, what do I do? I don't want to have shoes on all the time.
That's my problem I'm working through. Once
Nikki Humphrey (30:46)
That's so good.
Hope Mangiafico (30:48)
you spoil yourself with that, it really is like you don't realize how much you're missing out until
Nikki Humphrey (30:53)
I know.
Hope Mangiafico (30:54)
you do it.
love that though, Josephine enjoying it? Good. That's great.
Nikki Humphrey (30:57)
Yeah, she is. She is. It's so funny.
But I also like in the summer, I've been running with my friends and I run with them sometimes. But like, here's the thing, and I hope I think you can appreciate it. Like, I really love my time with my friends running, but sometimes I just love to run by myself. Because I want to listen to my podcast or I
Hope Mangiafico (31:16)
Yes. Yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (31:20)
have like books that I'm listening to on Hoopla that are just like fun and like lighthearted and
You know, like I do my long run days on different days than they do. And they're like, well, we can do part of your long run with you, which is really nice.
But I kind of got like my long run. like, ooh, I like to listen to my book on those days because I have
Hope Mangiafico (31:42)
Yes.
Nikki Humphrey (31:43)
almost two hours that I'm going to be running. And it's just like, yeah. So it really makes my heart happy that I do have options to run with friends or not. And like three days a week, I'll run with them. And two days I'll be by myself.
Hope Mangiafico (31:57)
Yeah, that's great. I love that. was gonna ask you before you answer. was like, is running your favorite movement? And so I love that. That's, you had it with a addendum, additional
Nikki Humphrey (32:10)
Yeah.
Hope Mangiafico (32:10)
information on it. Sweet. So, okay. So we're gonna go back to more like consumption since
Nikki Humphrey (32:18)
Mm-hmm.
Hope Mangiafico (32:19)
we just did movement. Do you have a favorite summer drink?
Nikki Humphrey (32:22)
I do.
So I like to make mocktails. I don't drink alcohol. I love me a mocktail. So I've been loving just really simple again, put a bunch of crushed ice in a glass, put some sparkling water in and a splash of like 100 % cranberry organic cranberry juice. Love it. Like it's
Hope Mangiafico (32:46)
Hmm.
Nikki Humphrey (32:48)
so good to me. It's so refreshing.
Sometimes if I feel a little dehydrated, I put a little flaky sea salt in there. Boom.
Hope Mangiafico (32:57)
Love it.
I love that. I love being able to like, it's kind of like asking AI for dinner meals, but for drinks, I kind of like just throwing some stuff together. I'm going to mention this first thing. It's not helpful to anybody unless they have a local store similar to what we have. I got a little spoiled and it's bit of a drive so we don't get to go. But we have this local olive oil and vinegar store.
and they'll make like honey pear or like apple balsamic vinegar. And one time I went just going to, I don't know, my Fiddles, I used to sell my Fiddles there. I went to probably check on my Fiddles and they slurred me right in by sampling some sparkling water with some of their balsamic vinegar.
I was like, what? How is this even a thing? And you know, they're like, and you get all these health benefits, right? If you can find all naturally flavored balsamic vinegars and they had maple one that you can use instead of like maple syrup, you know, like all these things, I would a hundred percent recommend that because there is no, I won't say nothing better. Nothing more simple, right? Like literally you just do that. So that's really cool.
I don't have that right now. And something that I've been trying to actually do is drink less carbonated drinks. I'm not succeeding because I love me some carbonated drinks. I'm just trying like whenever I catch myself really, really loving something, I'm like, okay, Lord, I probably, it's got like a strong code on me. That's a little dramatic, but you know what I mean? Like I need boundaries because I'm obviously a beverage person. And so what I've been doing is soaking some ginger in hot water and then putting
that with ice and apple cider vinegar. I love apple cider vinegar either. I like love it, hate it. I love it. And I have loved that actually. It's so like refreshing. actually add some electrolyte drops that I have too that are like from this company. And that has been so yummy.
I have a feeling very few people would actually enjoy that, but it's been great for me. And I'm
Nikki Humphrey (35:16)
Bye.
Hope Mangiafico (35:17)
also mentioning the balsamic vinegar thing, so clearly I like vinegar. I just realized that.
Nikki Humphrey (35:23)
I just love how excited we get about these.
Hope Mangiafico (35:27)
Yeah. Well, it's going back to one of your original statements you made, Nikki, of like, remember to have fun. I've always been notorious. I didn't know this, so someone told me when I was in college that I'm easily excitable. And I am so grateful that I continue to have that excitement over what some people would be like. They're just little things.
You and I would not have some of the joy that we have today if we didn't let the little things bring us joy.
So yeah, I love it so much. it's funny when you get asked questions like this and you realize how much you love your mocktail or you love your cookies or you love your apple cider vinegar.
Nikki Humphrey (36:10)
Because it is, it's so yummy and nourishes your body, which
Hope Mangiafico (36:14)
Yes.
Nikki Humphrey (36:14)
also nourishes your mind and your spirit. Like you said at the beginning, hope it's all connected. It's so hard to separate it. But when I eat or drink things that aren't good for me, like I just feel like two thumbs down.
Hope Mangiafico (36:30)
Yes, yes. Oh yeah. So that's exciting stuff. So that's okay. So we've done the mind, we've done the body. Okay.
Nikki Humphrey (36:38)
I got one more for the body. got one more for the body. So
this has nothing to do with food or drinks or movement.
Hope Mangiafico (36:46)
Okay.
Nikki Humphrey (36:46)
But I brought my favorite makeup. This is not,
I'm not sponsored. I don't get nothing from them. But this is, it's Adele Cosmetics. It's a Christian based company
in Texas. And they make their products and
like I love this bronzer stick and then my foundation stick.
Hope Mangiafico (37:15)
What?
Nikki Humphrey (37:16)
The thing like if you send a picture in they'll color match your shade and if it's wrong then they'll send you another one for free.
Hope Mangiafico (37:26)
my gosh!
Nikki Humphrey (37:27)
This thing is like my skin color. You know how hard it is to find a foundation.
Hope Mangiafico (37:35)
yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (37:38)
Matches your skin color. mean, I love these products and I'm like Adele,
Hope Mangiafico (37:44)
Adele?
Nikki Humphrey (37:46)
A D E L.
Hope Mangiafico (37:49)
How'd you find it?
Nikki Humphrey (37:52)
on my podcast.
Plop a carry? Yes. Cause I was using this one foundation from Sephora and it was way too much money. And the
Hope Mangiafico (38:04)
Hmm.
Nikki Humphrey (38:05)
ingredients, I just can't use anymore. Like you're spending $85 on a foundation and it has harmful ingredients in it. It's not worth it.
Hope Mangiafico (38:16)
Yeah, yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (38:18)
But this is like very reasonably.
not the cheapest, but not the most expensive.
Hope Mangiafico (38:22)
Mm, yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (38:24)
I just came with a Bible verse. Like it was so good.
Hope Mangiafico (38:30)
Girl, I'm always behind a Christian company. That's amazing. And that could open up a whole other can of worms of like when I think I found something and I order it and then I really investigate the brand and then lo and behold, they are the complete opposite of my belief system. Like I just can't, I can't even put it on my skin, you know, when you find those loopholes. So like it is a big deal to find something like that.
Nikki Humphrey (38:54)
the
lady if you have any questions or and then she sent me videos on how to apply it and like all it was like so helpful
Hope Mangiafico (39:02)
That's so cool. All right. I had to look that.
Nikki Humphrey (39:04)
Again, not an
ad, but if you want to sponsor us.
Hope Mangiafico (39:08)
We are the best podcasts around, promise you.
No regrets.
That's great. I really do love our podcast. It brings me so much joy.
Nikki Humphrey (39:17)
But.
Hope Mangiafico (39:19)
All right. So now we are on the spirit part. What is your favorite worship song right now?
Nikki Humphrey (39:27)
I mean, I don't know if they play this in church.
Hope Mangiafico (39:32)
I hear you. I understand.
Nikki Humphrey (39:33)
Maybe
on my trip, maybe on a worship night. But it's by Dante Price, Act Up. It's pretty new. It's like three weeks old.
And if you like old school rap, like from the 90s, you will, this is your banger. This is your, yes. It is.
so good. It starts off like so unexpected. Like you're like, when is this nice little
Hope Mangiafico (40:09)
You
Nikki Humphrey (40:10)
Jesus song? And then he goes in to his rap and it's amazing.
Hope Mangiafico (40:19)
Dante Price. Is he? You may not know much about him. That name sounds really familiar because I get like new releases on my YouTube music and I feel like he's a pastor because I think I've looked him up. I know that's kind of random but I feel like there's another song by him that I actually enjoyed. I didn't know about this one.
Nikki Humphrey (40:40)
Got a new
album that's dropping because he's like, I don't know. I found him on... it's Pride, not Price. I wanted to make sure that...
Hope Mangiafico (40:49)
Yeah, he's
I dude I do know who that is
Nikki Humphrey (40:52)
Yeah, Dante Price. Sorry I said it wrong.
I found him on Spotify.
No, TikTok.
Hope Mangiafico (40:59)
Oof.
Nikki Humphrey (41:00)
And then I went on Spotify. And then, yeah.
Hope Mangiafico (41:02)
my gosh. Okay. Well, I have to piece that together later because it's... I'm probably wrong about him. Yeah, he's a pastor. That's so funny. I like... there was one song I heard a while ago that I think I might have favorited, but I can't tell you what it was because I thought he had such a vibe.
Nikki Humphrey (41:20)
Yeah.
Hope Mangiafico (41:20)
So, I can't wait to hear that. That's awesome. man.
Nikki Humphrey (41:22)
It's good, yeah. How about you?
Hope Mangiafico (41:26)
I can't wait. That's so cool. So, mine also would not be one you would hear in church.
one of my favorite small artists, completely different than an old school rap. But the artist is Gable Price and Friends and he, I get to see him in October, super excited. And he has released more, his lyrics are amazing, but more recently he's been releasing music of like his heart cry of like when he would ask God so many questions. And like asking him like, why do I see this in the church? Why do I see that in the church, right?
And so his two most recent songs, I was just going to share both of them because I just love both of them. The first is called Too Good. So it's talking about how as the church, we haven't represented a God that's just too good. And we've tried to figure it out and create these hacks, right? Things we talk about on the podcast, like give me the three secrets to our Bible and give me a sequel to the Bible. And just like we're always wanting more. But it's like, no, God himself is so good.
So that's a great song. And then one he just released on Friday is called Talking Like Friends. And it's saying if Jesus was right beside me, or like two kids in a sandbox, like you would tell me, like you think we'd laugh about the plans I had. You'd help like comfort me when I was struggling, losing my grandmother, things like that. And so there's just this raw authenticity that you don't hear in a lot of Christian songs.
You might hear if you listen to an interview by an artist, right? But in the actual music, homeboy confronts a lot of things and I think it's amazing. So Gable Price and Friends, too good, as well as Talking Like Friends. Yeah. Yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (43:17)
it for listen.
Hope Mangiafico (43:18)
I'm definitely gonna listen to the other one probably tonight. So looking forward to that.
Nikki Humphrey (43:22)
I think Sean will like it. You gotta let me know what he thinks.
Hope Mangiafico (43:25)
I'm sure, I have no doubt. Okay, what's a Bible verse God has been speaking through?
Nikki Humphrey (43:33)
The last line in Nehemiah 10, the joy of the Lord is my strength.
Hope Mangiafico (43:37)
I think I almost said that earlier as a Bible verse just because we were talking about finding the fun and the joy and stuff and that's powerful girl. I love that.
Nikki Humphrey (43:47)
have to because there wasn't a lot I had to find really at beginning of the summer even last week really search hard to find the joy like
Hope Mangiafico (43:54)
Hmm
Nikki Humphrey (43:56)
the joy of the Lord that's it
Hope Mangiafico (43:59)
That's so good. I love that.
Nikki Humphrey (44:02)
How about you?
Hope Mangiafico (44:03)
I think, super classic, you've probably actually said this one more recently on a podcast, Psalm 46, 11, be still and know that I am God. And that kind of actually, as I'm saying that, is kind of what I shared at the beginning of the podcast of him being like, hey, it wasn't time, but now it's time. I am God. I show up. I use your mouth, right? Like you don't even have to have the words or the knowledge. And so that is one scripture.
that I have seen quoted more often than probably majority of others, but it has so many faces.
And being still has so many faces. Letting God in your life.
until you let him speak to you, you don't realize how you're not being still. So anyways, that is probably it as cliche of a scripture as that is. And
Nikki Humphrey (45:01)
good.
Hope Mangiafico (45:01)
the joy of the Lord is my strength is just so good. Just to kind of circle back to yours really quick because when you grasp that, you become, it's almost like toot your own horn again for a second. It's like,
You become unstoppable, but not in a prideful way. You're like the enemy can't tempt you with the problems and the lies.
It's a beautiful reality.
Nikki Humphrey (45:27)
Like when my oven broke, it's just like, I can have through a fit, but I'm just like, come on, Josephine, we're gonna break, lay it hands on the oven.
Hope Mangiafico (45:38)
Well, you know, I have realized I have gotten, again, we talked about the mind earlier and how the Lord's like, hope you've grown, right? And Nikki's saying we've both grown so much. I have noticed how much healthier I am because I can laugh more than I used to be able to in moments like that. Where it's like, I can't believe this, but it's not like a, woe is me, this is the worst. It's like, this
Nikki Humphrey (45:59)
Yeah.
Hope Mangiafico (45:59)
is funny.
And
then yeah, lay on the hands, do all the things. That's amazing. I love that. Love spiritual growth. It's so good. So a follow-up question to your story you just shared, prayers you've seen answered. So clearly laying on the hands of the oven, it did come back to life for however long. So there's an answer to that question.
Nikki Humphrey (46:26)
Yes, I mean, hopefully until we get it fixed, it's gonna be okay. But another prayer that's been answered, I wouldn't say I'm healed, my health isn't healed, but my health is improving.
Hope Mangiafico (46:39)
Yeah.
Nikki Humphrey (46:39)
I think that's such a gift. It's such an answer to prayer. Even like we referenced earlier in the podcast, even if it's just 1%, it's growth, it's healing.
Hope Mangiafico (46:51)
Yes, that's the truth.
Nikki Humphrey (46:53)
It's not going to get unhealed. It's healed and we're waiting for the next step.
Hope Mangiafico (46:57)
Say that again, that's a really good, as elementary as that sounded, it's a really good line.
Nikki Humphrey (47:03)
Just thinking about 1 % healing, if it's healed, it's not going to get unhealed. And that's what I have to set my mind on because I'm always so fearful that things are going to be taken away from me. But I'm like, this point is healed. Moving on, waiting for the next phase of healing.
Hope Mangiafico (47:21)
Girl, do I feel that. Do I feel that? So beautiful. I knew, I mean, I think I told you either last episode or the episode before, was like, you're glowing. Like, you look like you're healing, you know? Because it always starts on the inside. And so, you're absolutely correct. That's beautiful. I love that.
I didn't tell, okay, here's a real time confession, not confession. This is not gonna make sense to a lot of people, but I realize that I'm gonna tell you this on live recording here. You know, Nikki, when we were together, we were believing for healing for me with diabetes, right? Like Nikki and I even went to like Marshall or TG Maxx, remember what it was now, and like they were taking collections for.
Breakthrough t1d. think it's what's going on even know anymore breakthrough diabetes. I don't remember but we're like, yes, we're gonna we're gonna give for belief in breakthrough so I Just had an appointment appointment last week and I got an a1c done which is just basically your 90-day average of your blood sugars I have had type 1 diabetes for 25 years It was the lowest it's ever been in my entire life
Nikki Humphrey (48:41)
Phony do it!
Hope Mangiafico (48:42)
my entire life without having to so different than Nikki. I'm not I'm cleaning up my diet naturally. I'm not like with intentionality necessarily. God just kind of stirred my interest a little bit more again after having unhealthy eating habits, which Nikki and I have shared before. And so I'm not trying I'm not trying to be low carb. I'm not trying to be perfect.
So like Nikki said, won't he do it? I have had more freedom than I've ever had. And I've had wall kicking moments and tears because that's diabetes. That's just living with a stupid disease like that. But the lowest in 25 years, by a long shot, mind you. Like, I'm not gonna spit the number out because it's not gonna make sense to most people, but a long shot.
Nikki Humphrey (49:28)
It's so crazy. And this is just how Hope and I are like, I'm just like, could it be all the time you had feet in the ground?
Hope Mangiafico (49:39)
He told me to stick my feet in the grass. that last week when my sugars were high?
Nikki Humphrey (49:43)
But just that consistency of going out, being calm, regulating your nervous system, connecting with God, getting the sun on you, turning on the healing receptors in your body.
Hope Mangiafico (49:58)
I believe it.
Nikki Humphrey (49:58)
I mean, we overcomplicate things all the time. Could it just be as simple as that?
Hope Mangiafico (50:08)
here.
Nikki Humphrey (50:08)
simple, not easy, because it takes consistency.
Hope Mangiafico (50:11)
That's the hard part.
Nikki Humphrey (50:13)
You know?
Hope Mangiafico (50:13)
But to your
point, I would agree with you and that's why I going back to my favorite movement. I
Nikki Humphrey (50:18)
Mm-hmm.
Hope Mangiafico (50:18)
didn't want to surrender that part because I know he made the sun. He's made
Nikki Humphrey (50:23)
Mm-hmm.
Hope Mangiafico (50:23)
the grass. There are benefits to it that we have been shielded from. And
Nikki Humphrey (50:28)
Hmm?
Hope Mangiafico (50:29)
I've been so consistent with it and I don't want to lose it. And I think you talking about calming myself that get be still full circle unintentional be still and know
Nikki Humphrey (50:37)
me.
Hope Mangiafico (50:39)
that I'm God like he's showing up.
in these little actions of me doing that without me even relating that to that scripture.
Nikki Humphrey (50:46)
Right. Again, it's all connected, the mind, the body, the spirit. Everything we feed, one of those feeds everything.
Hope Mangiafico (50:54)
didn't even plan for that. That's hilarious. Wow. Yeah, so I 100 % agree. I'm also moms, anyone listening, or even people that are working and they have to kind of either work through lunch or eat at their desk. It is a game changer to eat in peace.
every time I have eaten and there was maybe a conversation, a hard conversation was just had and I went straight to eating or I was upset about something.
horrible response to food. I didn't used to have those responses because my whole body wasn't having like wreaking havoc anyways. But since I've gotten healthier, I've seen the power of that and I more than the average person because I've lived with diabetes, I have all these tools to show me those bodily responses all the time and not just by food, right? By stress, all those things.
And I'm finally getting those reactions. And so I really want to emphasize, because moms are the worst at pushing themselves to the side, eating while standing, eating in the car. And God has grace for that. But try your dirtest to do what I learned in college. And I thought it was the stupidest thing ever, is having some mindful meals. We used to make fun of being tall. I still remember sitting at the table with my other like...
people going through this practicum. And we were at this diet and weight loss center and they had to learn how to do it. We were like, is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. And we're like, we have to put our fork down between our thighs. This is stupid. What the heck? And here I am giving the advice to everyone that it's life changing.
Nikki Humphrey (52:36)
I'm sure you've repented.
Hope Mangiafico (52:39)
Oh, I repent for so much of that season of my life. I was like, that was so disrespectful to the father, to people. The Lord, the Lord, actually, that's what he wants for us. Yeah, I it was a bad season of life, but that's a whole nother, that's a whole nother conversation.
But yeah, it's a game changer. You probably could speak on that too. So I just, think women need to learn that more than anybody.
Hehehehehe
Nikki Humphrey (53:05)
So to wrap it all up, what's something God has been teaching you this season? We both kind of like touched on it a little bit, I feel like, but.
Hope Mangiafico (53:15)
Do you have an answer? Okay, you start.
Nikki Humphrey (53:16)
I do. It's patient.
Hope Mangiafico (53:20)
patience.
Nikki Humphrey (53:21)
It's patience.
I have to be patient with my healing. I have to be patient with what I'm creating. I have to be patient with job opportunities. I just have to be patient. I have to be patient with myself. I have to be patient with Luke. I have to be patient with Josephine. Like all around.
Hope Mangiafico (53:41)
Okay, I'm going to attach my response to that because I have been learning timing.
similar response to what you just shared, but I'm understanding that timing is everything, which again, you said we've kind of answered and I kind of already shared that as well in a roundabout way. Because it's not always easy when it's his perfect time. But the peace, you can feel the peace even in the background, in that tension.
And Nick and have talked about this. We both have strived for so long. We've been used to going uphill all the time, forcing things that it's taken us a long time to actually be comfortable, I guess you could say, in the peace, in the no striving. And as I've grown in that, I have been learning to not only trust, but to love God's timing.
I just like touched my heart really, I did not expect to say that.
think that's a freeing statement to make. Ooh.
So, that's it.
Nikki Humphrey (54:52)
but I think that'll do it.
Hope Mangiafico (54:55)
I think so too.
So friend, as we wrap up today's conversation, we wanna leave you with one simple question. What are you feeding your mind, your body and your spirit this summer? Maybe it's reading one chapter of a good book instead of scrolling. Maybe it's taken an evening walk. Maybe it's opening your Bible with your morning coffee. Whatever it is, remember this, small choices matter, amen. They shape who we're becoming. Our prayer is that this summer isn't just one filled with memories.
but one that draws you closer to Jesus. At this episode, encourage you. We'd love for you to share it with a friend who might need a little summer reset. And if you do, let us know. We'd love to hear what you've been choosing to feed your mind, body, or spirit this week. Until next time, keep growing in your faith, keep your eyes on Jesus, and remember, you were never meant to do life alone. We'll see you in the overflow.
