Season 2: Episode 26 - How to have faith in an world full of evil

SPEAKER_01 0:06

Welcome to the Joy-Inspired Podcast. I'm Nikki Cruz, and I'm thrilled to explore with you what it means to walk in a faith-infused business. This is your space to find powerful tools and insights, to build with resilience and to create impact through your unique purpose, discovering a joy that only God can provide. Together, let's embrace a business journey anchored in faith and empowered by joy. Let's jump in. Well, hello, hello, amazing, beautiful people. We are back, and I am so excited for this week's episode. And if you're going, what episode? Who are you? My name is Nikki Cruz, known as the Joy Junkie, because I believe that joy is the most underutilized life and business strategy. Does it mean you're always over the top and bubbling the way I am right now? No, that's not what joy is about. Joy is about that confidence inside, knowing there is a hope and a future. And of course, because I'm a total Jesus freak, I know that God provides that hope in that future. And I am super excited for our guest for today. So I hope you have a pen, paper ready. If you're driving, don't worry, you can watch the replay. And there will be notes as well. But you know what's amazing? God brings people into our world who aren't exactly like us. And although my guest and I totally align in so many ways, we are so opposite because she is so grounded and deep and reflective, whereas I'm kind of bubblesing all over the place. And yet we get on so well because God brings all sorts of people into our world. So today I have the honor and the privilege of introducing you to Elle. Elle, welcome to our show.

SPEAKER_00 2:18

Thank you, Nikki. And you know, because they say opposites attract to a certain extent, so I enjoy being in your radiance. I love the way it touches me, right? So yeah, feelings mutual, happy to be here.

SPEAKER_01 2:32

And Elle is an amazing person. And she's from TrueSpeak Motivation. This is her company. She has such a gentle spirit, but behind that gentleness is an incredible perseverance, faith, and wisdom that I know is going to encourage you so many people listening today. So be sure to be ready. If there's anything distracting you, getting in your way, try focus, try get rid of it right now. Because this is a space where I believe even in this short time, you are gonna be hit hard. You are gonna receive transformation. So before we even get into it, tell us, L, who is Elle?

SPEAKER_00 3:27

Thanks for asking. So Elle Grinnell, like the alliteration. And um, I founded TrueSpeak, oh gosh, over 30 years ago. And I've been about the last six years, give or take, have gotten back to it full time. So did the whole, you know, got married, raised the kids, you know, came back and forth. It wasn't, it's not been a full-time thing for me. Yet when you have this power and this knowing inside, it's always full-time. It's always on, but it's on in a good way, not in an exhausting way, but in a powerful way. So I've never lost the path of my purpose, you know, how I how I share my gifts. That's always, always been on. And so now, you know, I say I do it part-time, but it's you know, when you're an entrepreneur, who how many hours do you work? I don't know. Sometimes I work, you know, two a day, sometimes I work nine, because I'm just called to do what's what needs to be done that day. And and time just flies. So I I love, so true speak, I love the the, it's all one word, true speak, because there is no separation between who we are, right, and how we act. There's not supposed to be. And so what I do is I help people learn how to get their thoughts correct first, get them in line aligned, right? Get them aligned with God's purpose. Why are you here? So they're hearing those words. Those are the words they're speaking, those are the actions that they're doing. But for most people, there's an incongruency. They are not saying what they know is their truth out of generally out of fear, doubt, worry, right? And so they forget that they're literally walking, talking, breathing miracles, and they're living in a world of consumption and consumerism and these things that that are that are clouding who they are. So that's the joy that I get to do in my life is to help bring people back to who they are and start to live their life on purpose, very joy-inspired. And what's what I love is joy for you and for other people. It's it's so underused and underthought about and underrated. People say I'm happy, but that's not the same as having joy. Um, you know, the song Joy, Joy, down in my heart. That's what it is. It's really deep. It's something that's deep in us. And when we when we speak and live from that place, it touches other people and it makes the world a better place.

SPEAKER_01 6:07

Beautifully said. And I love what you obviously I love what you said about joy. But you know, you have you've touched on that entrepreneurial thing. When we have a passion, when we are passionate about our purpose because we're we're in alignment, we get joy from it. So we're doing it anyway, and that's the difference between being an entrepreneur where you can really explore what you love, and then what you said about joy. Yes, joy is that thing that is going to carry you through every hard moment, it's not the result you get at the end, and that's such a huge misunderstanding. People are striving and hustling in their businesses, and they're hitting all these roadblocks, thinking, oh, if I just get over this, I'll have joy. No, the joy is what gives you the strength to get over it. That's what we're told in Nehemiah 8, verse 10. And those roadblocks that you're struggling with, those are the kind of things that L helps you recognize and see. Number one, are they real and how do we work through them and all the rest? But before we get onto that, you are an incredible woman of faith. And you mentioned that you've always known that you were a child of God. But I know you've had seasons where life felt very hard. You guys out there, can you relate? Especially as entrepreneurs, you know, it's not always smooth sailing. Can you share a little about that journey with us?

SPEAKER_00 7:51

Yeah. So growing up, um, you know, church kind of came and went, depending on where we were and what my mom was doing. Um, being half Mexican, there was a strong Catholic influence. And um there was all the violences, right? There was all the abuses, physical abuse, mental abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, all of that growing up. And I grew up in a trailer park. And what's interesting is I just didn't know, because I'm a child, that that's not how everyone lived. Because everybody in the trailer park was experiencing those similar types of things. So we grew up, you know, thinking lying, cheating, stealing was just what you did, how you got by, how you survived. Yet that, and it's a little bit why I'm more on the mellow side. I knew at a very young age that I was being held by something grand because I became an observer, wasn't always the participant in the hot mess that was going on. Now, sometimes, yes, I still had to do those things, but I was watching and I was deciding yes and no and yes and no and yes and no. So I was already cultivating my personality at a really young age. I didn't know that. I didn't know that. And then I dove into the world of books and reading, and that's where I learned so many important and valuable lessons. And I was fortunate enough to be able to go to college. And um, being the first one in my family, in the trailer park, everywhere that that went to college was the blessing. And once I was away from all of that, then I say I reinvented myself, but I didn't actually found myself. I actually found myself and my purpose. And I have just heard the wisdom, the word of God, so many times. And the joy that it brings in your heart when you were telling your story, it was making me think of like being in troubled waters and joy is the vessel. It's not like it's not the dock, it's not the destination, it's the vessel. So I've always been optimistic and joyful even in tough situations. And I irritate people sometimes because of I'm overly optimistic. And people will say, get your head out of the sand. You know, if you have your head in the sand, then that means your butt's exposed. And like, my head is not in the sand, it's in the clouds, you know. And then I had an experience a while back where my husband passed from an aneurysm. So that's one day here, next day gone. And it was so devastating that I said to God, I I'm gonna stay in your hands because I can't do this. I don't know how to navigate this. I'm lost. And I surrendered completely. And I said, This is gonna look how it's gonna look, and I'm in your hands. And there was just a sense of of joy that's not this kind of joy, right? It's like the uh the being held. And it's not it's not just being able to be positive when things are going well, but it's being able to be positive when things are not going well. That's the challenge. And so when you give yourself over, then it's so much easier. And then it happened again recently, just as a matter of fact, it was um Easter Sunday. My chondro complex caught on fire. My mom and sister were visiting me, and it happened at four in the morning, and it was very, very traumatic, very traumatic. And I was actually angry with God. I said, Why? I didn't deserve this. What is the purpose? You know, I couldn't see through it, through the anger. The anger was clouding the love, the joy, the vision. And so I sat down and I said, I lay this problem at your feet. This is not my problem. I release all of my attachment to this anger. And within two hours, um a lady that I play trivia with said, Oh, I heard what happened to you. I have a place. Do you want to see it? It's just a couple blocks away. I'm like, Yeah, and then now this is where I live. So talk about God's speed. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:29

And you know, so often we think that nobody else gets angry. I remember when I was told I would never walk again, I was so angry with God. I yelled and screamed at him. And folks, especially as entrepreneurs, when things aren't working out and you feel unsettled and you get angry with God, I'm gonna encourage you right now, don't beat yourself up about it. But I'm also going to encourage you, you get angry because you're in a dark place, you feel disconnected. Take God into that place with you. Because God is not saying, Oh, you shouldn't get angry with me. I'm gonna leave you till you get over your temper tantrum. God is saying, Come here, let me hug you and hold you and calm you. But Elle, you said that beautiful thing. Surrender. Surrender. And I know from just the little bit of work I've done with you that it is about surrendering, it's about stepping into the peace. And the peace doesn't mean the circumstances are all figured out. I believe when you step into the peace, the circumstances become figured out because you can see them. And thank you for sharing your heart and your vulnerability there. Because yes, we question ourselves, but we continue to stand on the rock that is gonna make it all work, and that's where you get joy. And I think that deep-seated joy is the most beautiful joy to have because you know it's gonna be there regardless of your feelings, and that's true joy. I will do true joy and true speak. Um you you have gone through that those stages of fear. I'm sure there was some fear that hit you, especially when your husband passed. And yet you made decisions to move forward. How do you personally tell the difference between moving forward from faith or from fear?

SPEAKER_00 14:51

That's a really good question. You know, it's easier for me because I've been doing this for so long, right? So I'm certified in a process called transformational meditation. It's not transcendental, it's completely different. And what I tell people is it's getting in that space of prayer. So sometimes people think prayer is one way. So I speak to God and I ask for these things. And and so the transformational meditation is the two-way channel where you can receive messages, and then you you you you there's a feeling that comes with it. So when it's your ego pretending to be God, like Les Brown says, ego stands for um edge God out. That's what ego stands for. And I love that when I heard that many years ago. Um, so sometimes the ego pretends to be our true source, and but what the the the wisdom of God comes with the sense of peace. And a long time ago, I remember hearing, you you are, I was only in my 20s, you are a prophet. What? I'm like 20, 25 years old or something. I said, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. That frying pan is too big for me. I want my little frying pan. And I kind of put it aside. And then when I got into my work as TrueSpeak and teaching people what I teach, I realized that, oh, this is not something you learn in a textbook. This is something that is experiential. And so I it was interesting that it was told to me so so long ago, and I wasn't ready to hear it. And so faith is when you say, I don't know how this is gonna happen. I just know that it is. And people can say you're crazy, people will say, you know, I don't know. They say lots of things because they're operating out of fear. Yes, they couldn't imagine doing it, so they can't imagine it for you. And the good thing is their imagination is not ours. So we can create.

SPEAKER_01 17:01

I like that. And you know, you know what the saying, um other people don't get your vision, they don't get your calling and your purpose because it wasn't a conference call. It was just you and God. And you know, when we hear those things at first, like you said, no, no, no, this is too big for me. But do you remember the story of Gideon in the vineyard when he was there? He was quaking, he was hiding out. And God said to him, Oh, mighty brave man of God, and went, oh I've experienced that, and I'm sure you have.

SPEAKER_00 17:42

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 17:42

Don't throw out what you hear from God, open your ears to it. Just because it doesn't match your current circumstances doesn't mean it's not true. And we put so many blocks in the way to hearing that because we listen to what the world says. We listen to what other and somebody was saying the other day on a summit I was on, I am the one who knows my business best, I am the ultimate authority in my business. So when other people tell me something won't work, I can take that as their opinion, but I am the authority for my business, and when you tapped into God and you are that authority standing in that, God boldly speaks it out. And these are the kind of things that we get so off the path with and helps with them. So for someone hearing about TrueSpeak motivation for the first time, what transformation do you really want people to experience through your work?

SPEAKER_00 18:50

I really love for people to have the sense of empowerment, meaning that there's infinite possibilities, there's infinite options within our, even within our path. Right. So I want people to know that there's we're you're never stuck. There's so many places, and and sometimes there's turns, like like when when hubby passed, I just I asked God, I said, Can I see around the corner just a little? And so I teach people to understand that you're not ready to see around the corner. That's why you can't stay, stay in your lane, do these things, and the signs will come. They'll start, and the people will be there, things will start to so to really be open to how much and often miracles speak to us, come to us, show up for us. And but the mind has to be open to seeing them because they're always there. And so with true speak and and so the neuroscience, right? I've been I've been the neuroscience nerd for good 20 plus years. It's teaching people to learn how to have their brain work for instead of against them. And that starts with learning how to think and speak and act from a place of that which you wish, that which you desire, that which is aligned. And then everything starts to fall into place. Seems like a miracle, seems like I get told I'm lucky all the time, and I just say thank you. Um, and it's so much more than that. You can call it luck, but it's really um having holding faith when it's ugly, keep moving when I don't want to, and knowing that when it's time to see around the corner, then I'm on my next journey, my next path, my next, and so that's exciting. That's why we're here. I want people to understand their purpose. Live life with a sense of joy, not dread. Live life with a sense of purpose, you know, not pathetic. Radiate, because that's what we need right now. We need everybody to radiate so that we can bring more light into this apparent darkness that we're living in right now. So can we all radiate? And if we can, things will shift and we can all see better.

SPEAKER_01 21:22

Oh wow, and I kind of have this pitch of each of us has a purpose in us that is glowing and burning, but is it radiating yet? And you know, God created us with these incredible bodies. And some of you might be hearing some things for the first time. You might be meditation, oh, you know, seeing things, oh, this is foreign to me. Well, you know what? This is how God created our bodies and our minds and everything else to work. So be open. And if you're Curious and wondering about this, feel free to reach out to us because God did create our minds to shift from that negative place.

SPEAKER_00 22:09

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 22:10

It's called neuroplasticity. It's God's creation. It's not man science. It's the way God created us so that we could replace those negative thoughts with the ones that open the world to us. And yeah, it's not weird. It's God. It's God. And the way Elle works with this is so beautiful. It's in complete partnership with God. And really be open to seeing how God can make those changes. Otherwise, you will stay where you're at. Because you're not open to the possibilities. And the world needs you. The world needs your light. Because otherwise, there's this whole glowing room with one area that's dim. And you do belong. You do. I really feel like the spirit is urging me to tell you you can shine, you can radiate. There is somebody listening to this who needs to know that.

SPEAKER_00 23:17

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 23:18

And you get to really just lift your head and believe. Do you feel anything right now, because I'm feeling the Holy Spirit moving really hard to touch that person who doesn't believe.

SPEAKER_00 23:34

Yeah, and I'm just smiling and grinning because so whoever is listening to this and still doubting, but not me, either I'm not worthy enough or I've made too many mistakes, or I've been a bad person, and those types of things. And and all that matters is having that faith and saying, and today, right now, I claim this moment to remember that I'm a child of God. I claim in this moment the power of that unconditional love that's mine by divine right in abundance. I claim right now the power to change in this next breath with this next word. So I implore anybody to close their eyes and say, I claim the power within me as a child of God to be here and do that which I'm here to do.

SPEAKER_01 24:24

And just for me to share from my heart something that you all know, if you've been listening to me for a while, I share it's not about the strategy, it's about the heart. You can have the strategy, but if you don't have the heart alignment, and you have to have the alignment between your heart and your mind. So this is you know, the Holy Spirit is moving now. Respond to him. And if you want, reach out to us and say that moment was for me. Doesn't matter when you're listening to this, but that's not as important as saying to God and the Holy Spirit, I hear you, and I'm responding to you because I believe there is breakthrough happening right now. You guys are giving me goosebumps, you know that. Holy Spirit's giving me goosebumps. So I pray and I seal this moment in your life that you wouldn't go and carry on with your day and think uh it was just a moment. It is a breakthrough. Take my word for it. When God does those breakthrough things, even if you deny it tomorrow, he knows it's real. So after that little bit of really in-depth stuff, just what brings you joy outside of business?

SPEAKER_00 25:48

What brings me joy outside of business? Wow. So I wake up with a smile on my face and happy to have another day to share my gifts and talents with the world. And then I have so many options. Right now, at the top of my, it's it's uh it's it's trivia, it's karaoke, it's pickleball, um, it's an ocean swim, it's catching the sunset on the beach. Um, so like I was talking about, so many choices, right? So the I I think the biggest thing that brings me joy right now is the abundance of opportunities, like just this platter for me to choose from. And I feel so blessed every day.

SPEAKER_01 26:31

One of the things I love about you so much is as you speak, I feel and I I see the depth of your heart. And it is absolutely beautiful. So, what is something people might be surprised to learn about you?

SPEAKER_00 26:48

Um, I think people are surprised who know me more in the professional capacity, that I'm very introverted. When I enter a room, say if there's networking in a in a place and I don't know anybody, I just stay back and I observe. And people think that I'm friendly and warm and I make friends easily, and I don't because I watch for a really long time. So I'm I'm gonna be the wallflower in situations. Yet when it's time to share my purpose, that's a different story. Then I'm lit, I'm front and center, and um I am apparently a different person, but I'm not. I'm just radiating who I am. And so maybe now that I'm saying this out loud, the the being the observer is charging my battery. You know, it's it's looking at all my options and listening and then going in. So I'm actually very introverted. I read a lot. I like to be on my couch, read a good book.

SPEAKER_01 27:55

Oh, can you imagine the two of us out together? You'd be standing there and observing, and I would be rushing in, and then I would come and say, So what do you think? Because I know you've taken the time to observe, because I observe in the moment. Funnily enough, you know what? I'm also a bit of an introvert in rooms where I don't know people. But I won't stand and watch, I will go and find somebody else who's on their own and strike up a conversation with them. That's how I get over it. So you see, folks, there are all sorts of us who make up the world, and we are all beautiful. But Elle has also come here and shared her heart, and I think you felt, and what she does is deep, is powerful, it's healing, it's inspiring, but it's not for the broken. It's for the broken as well. But we're all broken, but it's for those who want to move forward, and that's what's so beautiful. This isn't like going to a doctor who's gonna diagnose what's wrong and fix it. This is like going to a health farm because you know you want to be better and you're gonna have fun doing it and choose your activities to do. It's forward motion, it's not patching up the back. And I don't know where that came from. That wasn't in my script or anything else. So someone needed to hear that. But Elle also has a beautiful gift for us. And if you're driving, don't stop, don't try and pick up a pen and paper. And if you're just listening, it's okay. This will be in the comments and the notes. So the details here will be there for you. Tell us about the amazing gift and thank you. Thank you for being so generous.

SPEAKER_00 29:48

Oh, my pleasure. I love it. I love it. I've been offering this for years and years and years and years. And, you know, the saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Like I'm I'm just so joyful to be able to have people experience this. It's called the success mindset scorecard. And it's a series of questions where you self-evaluate and then you get to see, are you aligned? Are you aligned spiritually? Are you aligned, you know, with your work? Are you aligned with your relationships? Because sometimes we think we want something, but it's not in alignment with who we are. So the success mindset scorecard helps you see where you're out of out of alignment. And then we meet, it includes time for us together. And then when we meet, I I've already seen the results as well. And we pick one area that's incongruent, and then we we we connect, we go with God and get the plan for how what does that look like? What's that next first step? How does that how does that shift happen? So it's the success mindset scorecard. It it takes like two minutes to take, the results are instant, and then um, and then it's on you to pick a time for us to to work together.

SPEAKER_01 31:02

And it's an amazing experience. Please go click that link, download that. Be sure to connect with Elle. You can find her on Facebook, you can find TrueSpeak on LinkedIn. I don't think you'll find Elle's personal profile on LinkedIn, but you'll find TrueSpeak. And perhaps you have a friend who you know would have benefited from this episode. Please share it with them. In fact, share it with at least five people. Go on, like, subscribe. But really, there is so much gold here, and perhaps you know the person that that word was for. So please share with them because there is power that God works through these things, and we pray over these episodes. So it's time to close, but Al, thank you so much, so much for being here, for sharing your heart, your time with us. And is there any last words you have for our audience?

SPEAKER_00 32:12

Thank you for the opportunity. And when you were sharing the part about being broken, it reminds me that I collect disco balls, the mirrored disco balls. And um, it's been said in a bunch of different ways that what makes a disco ball so amazing is it's a bunch of broken pieces all put together to radiate this magnificent ball of light and energy. So we take all our broken pieces and we find the purpose for them, and then we just radiate from there.

SPEAKER_01 32:49

Beautiful. What a beautiful image. And one thing I get to say about conversations like this is that they remind us that success isn't about the outward momentum, it's also about who we be we become as we're building. And it it's just a beautiful transformation because God is never done with us. So, Elk, again, thank you so much for being here today. I know that there are so many people who are going to benefit and be encouraged from this conversation, and your gentleness carries so much strength. I know there are many people waiting quietly, and they're walking through their own waiting season right now, their own season of I'm not quite there yet. So if they want to reach out to you on social media, where will they find you?

SPEAKER_00 33:54

Uh, my website is the easiest, actually. It's my name, lgrinel.com. And then I have a lot of helpful stuff on YouTube. True speak featuring L Grinnell. And um, but yeah, my website is the best way it has. You can reach me by phone, by email, you know, however you'd however you'd like to. But I'd like to say, I'm here to hold your hand. That's what's been missing. You just need someone to hold your hand and say, we're doing this together, it's gonna be okay. That's that's what I want. Want to hold your hand.

SPEAKER_01 34:29

Amazing. So for those of you who need a hand right now, and Elle is not saying she does it, she's saying she connects you to God, that you can do it with God. She's a bit like the the shepherd who's just standing along the way helping you find your way. Yes, yes, and there you will find joy. There you will find peace. So I encourage you to go out in joy, be led forth in peace, choose joy, be intentional about it, not just for yourself, but for somebody else, because joy has this magnetic effect, and it's like a magnet that attracts all these metal filings, and the metal filings become magnetized, and that's a ripple effect that goes out in the world. So go be a magnet, go share the joy because God is represented by that, and you will find more success because I believe joy is profitable. People are drawn to it, they want to work with you, they want to be around you. So go out and joy, be led forth in peace, and have an amazing week. We will see you all next weekend. Blessings all.

SPEAKER_00 35:48

Blessings.

SPEAKER_01 35:49

Bye. Thank you so much for joining me on the Joy Inspired Podcast at www.joinspiredpodcast.com. Make sure you hit that subscribe button so that you can get this and every other episode that comes out. We have lots of great stuff coming, and you don't want to miss it. So make sure to hit that subscribe. I'm so grateful for all the reviews and comments, and I look forward to serving you in next week's episode.