In this episode of the What a Gift podcast, we sit down to talk about the unexpected gifts of bars and being single, focusing on how we transition from despair to being fully aware of the life we're living right now.

Whether you're like Jule—who loves finding community with strangers at a dive bar—or like Sarah, navigating the complexities and freedoms of being single in your 30s, let’s pull up a stool for some relatable stories, honest reflections, and perspectives on how life's plot twists can somehow end up being gifts.

🎁 What’s Inside 🎁

• Jule unwraps the gift of bars, especially the neighborhood corner spots where strangers come together seeking community. Hear why she champions the local watering hole over trendy millennial joints (and why a Touch Tunes jukebox is a non-negotiable). We discuss everything from taking over the vibe with the perfect song to the adventure of finding a karaoke bar in a gas station strip mall in Lincoln, Nebraska.

• Sarah unwraps the gift of being single, exploring the mindset shift required to see this season as a gift rather than a setback. She shares how being single allows her to be uniquely available to her friends and family, making a gift of herself in a way she couldn't otherwise. We get vulnerable about the pain of longing, the temptation to compare your life to your friends' or even your own past dreams, and the freedom that comes with trusting the story God is writing for you.

• We discuss the highs and lows of single life, from Jule recounting her fear of commitment when she met her now-husband to Sarah sharing the deep gratitude she feels for being able to support her sister through her engagement and marriage. We both agree that while singleness can be a painful tension, it's also a time filled with possibility, adventure, and the freedom to say "yes" to life.

• Stick around for our closing segment, My Gift to You, where we recommend some things we've been enjoying. Jule shares a must-have seasonal ice cream from Trader Joe's, and Sarah recommends a life-changing lip balm that will save you from chapped lips.

* * *

Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang out with us and thousands of other Gifties at SEEK in January ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3IPoew4⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE:

🚨 Head over to Replay to watch the latest episode a week ahead of everywhere else! http://www.seekreplay.com/category/whatagift/

Find it on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@whatagiftpodcast

Find it on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find it on Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-a-gift/id1839023006⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

✨ Sarra’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarrara/

✨ Jule’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/c0ppacabana/

✨ FOCUS' IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscatholic/

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠whatagift@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment!

Register on Replay to join our email list → ⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

What a Gift is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠