What if waiting isn’t wasted time? In this episode of Vitality Conversations, Rana sits down with Nikki Blanton to talk about what it looks like to slow down, listen for God, and trust Him with the next step. Nikki shares how God has been shaping Heartbeat for Jesus through movement, ministry, community, and seasons of active rest. This conversation is a reminder that even when we pause, God is still working—and sometimes the stillness is where He gives us the clarity to keep moving forward.

In this episode of Vitality Conversations, Rana sits down with physical therapist Lacy Laney to explore the connection between pain, inflammation, stress, and whole-body wellness. After walking through her own health journey with mold illness, Lacy shares how understanding your body—from genetics to lifestyle habits—can help uncover the why behind feeling unwell. Together, they discuss practical ways to steward your health, the importance of rest, and how small changes can lead to better living.

Grief can feel like a storm—especially for children and families who don’t know where to turn. In this episode of Vitality Conversations, Rana sits down with her longtime friend Tamari Miller, a grief-support leader with over 25 years of experience, to talk about hope, healing, and why community matters after loss.

Tamari shares the heart behind her new nonprofit, The Umbrella Project—a mobile grief support program created to remove barriers like transportation, cost, and awareness so families can access support right in their own communities. Together, Rana and Tamari discuss why grief is a journey (not an incident), how play helps children process trauma, and why caregivers need support too.

You’ll also hear the powerful meaning behind the name Umbrella Project: something that covers you in the storm so you can keep walking forward—one step at a time.

This conversation is for anyone navigating loss, supporting a grieving family, or looking for practical ways to bring comfort, dignity, and hope in the middle of heartbreak.

Is AI something to fear…or a tool you can use wisely with your family and faith? In this episode of Vitality Conversations, Rana sits down with career coach and leadership facilitator Debbie Goldbarth to unpack what artificial intelligence really is and how it’s already woven into our everyday lives—from maps and search engines to Canva, Planning Center, and more.

Together they talk about why AI is “just a tool,” how to steward it like any other technology, and the ethical guardrails believers can use to stay grounded in God’s truth. Debbie walks through the A.B.I.D.E. framework—Accountability, Bias awareness, Image of God, Dependence on God, and Edification—to help you filter how you and your kids engage with AI for school, work, creativity, and even fun family nights.

If you’ve felt overwhelmed, curious, or a little nervous about AI, this life-giving conversation will help you move from fear to discernment—so you can stay relevant to today’s culture without compromising your values, and keep living on mission in a digital world.

Could better health really be as simple as making one small change at a time? In this episode of Vitality Conversations, host Rana Smith sits down with Rianna Sanchez, a clinical nutritionist and new mom, to talk about the connection between faith, food, and intentional living. Together, they explore how small daily choices—like eating real food, slowing down, resting, and honoring your body—can have a profound impact on your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This uplifting and practical conversation reminds us that caring for our bodies is one of the simplest and most powerful ways we can honor God and live with vitality.

Could your child’s ADHD symptoms be connected to more than just focus? In this episode of Vitality Conversations, host Rana Smith talks with Dr. Dana O’Keefe about how gut health, diet, and modern toxins may play a surprising role in attention and behavior. They explore why ADHD cases have skyrocketed since the 1990s, what hidden factors could be affecting your child’s brain, and how simple lifestyle changes—like better food, more movement, and less screen time—can make a lasting impact. A practical and faith-filled discussion for parents who want to support their kids in body, mind, and spirit.

What if healing starts not by fixing—but by feeling? In this candid episode of Vitality Conversations, Rana Smith sits down with guidance counselor and adjunct instructor Michele Hayden to talk about moving from numbness to meaningful recovery. Michele shares her journey through early loss, caring for a mother with cancer, and life as a first-responder family—plus why counseling, movement, journaling, and clear boundaries matter. Together they offer practical, faith-rooted steps to be an “ever learner” in grief: normalize getting help, process before you pour, care for your spiritual, emotional, and physical health, and build community support that actually helps. Encouragement and tools for anyone walking through hard seasons—and those who love them.

What do you do when life takes a turn you never expected for your child or your family? In this powerful episode of Vitality Conversations, host Rana Smith sits down with her daughter, Raeli Miller, to share their journeys of walking through unexpected challenges, from health crises to seasons of uncertainty. Together, they speak candidly about pain, surrender, and the importance of community support, while holding fast to the truth that God is present in every moment. This heartfelt conversation is filled with honesty, hope, and encouragement for anyone navigating life’s unexpected turns.

Vitality Conversations is a ministry of ⁠WaterStone Church⁠.