The VIBE with Kelly Cardenas

Proverbs 19 gives us a powerful lesson about stress, wisdom, trusting God, letting go, and learning to walk through life a little lighter. In this INCHSTONES episode of The VIBE with Kelly Cardenas, we break down Proverbs 19 and one of the simplest lessons my Pops ever taught me: “Boy, the only reason you’re stressed is because you’re carrying things you weren’t designed to carry.” Thanks, Pops. Super helpful. Meanwhile, I’m over here carrying tomorrow, next Tuesday, everybody else’s problems, three imaginary conversations that haven’t happened yet, and a situation God never asked me to touch. My Pops? Peaceful. Why? Maybe because he understood something I’m still learning: God never designed us to carry everything. Proverbs 19 reminds us that a little with God is worth more than a lot without Him. Desire without knowledge isn’t good. Honesty is a superpower. You can’t buy relationships. Wisdom matters. Diligence works. Jealousy is heavy. Speak life. Honor your family. Make good friends—and more importantly, be one. And yes… push-ups work too. Unfortunately, you actually have to do them. The same goes for wisdom. Seek it. Listen to it. Accept it. Apply it. Plans are good, but purpose prevails. Peace works when you practice it. And when we stop listening to God, eventually His voice becomes harder for us to hear. It’s like turning off the faucet of knowledge and then wondering why we’re thirsty. God is light. God is love. And the alternative gets heavy really fast. Maybe the goal was never to become strong enough to carry everything. Maybe wisdom is learning what was never ours to carry in the first place. Pops, you were right. “Boy, the only reason you’re stressed is because you’re carrying things you weren’t designed to carry.” When we realize we were designed to carry God’s love—not the weight of the entire world—we can finally walk light and free. Thanks again, Pops. I love you, and I miss you more than you’ll ever know. INCHSTONE: What are you carrying today that God never asked you to pick up? The VIBE with Kelly Cardenas INCHSTONES | Proverbs 19 Speak Life. Words create worlds. #Proverbs19 #Proverbs #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #Faith #TrustGod #Wisdom #Stress #Anxiety #LetGoAndLetGod #ChristianMotivation #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #FaithOverFear #GodsPurpose #Peace #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Inchstones #TheVIBE #KellyCardenas

You Have to Meet My Friends with Kelly Cardenas is an unscripted podcast series about friendship, relationships, entrepreneurship, leadership, success, and some ridiculously interesting people. It’s part of The VIBE with Kelly Cardenas and quite possibly the least professionally produced interview concept in podcasting. Here’s the format: I call my friends. That’s it. No scheduling. No pre-interview. No prepared questions. No publicist. No idea if they’re going to answer. Very cutting edge. They usually have no clue they’re about to be on a podcast, and occasionally they’re doing something that makes me immediately question whether calling them was a good idea. Perfect. We talk business, leadership, entrepreneurship, relationships, success, failure, family, personal growth, money, life and whatever else happens before somebody says something they probably wish I would edit out. I usually don’t. These are some of the smartest, funniest, most successful and most interesting people I know. More importantly… They’re my friends. Because relationships grant access, and apparently mine have granted me permission to randomly call people and put them on the internet. Welcome to You Have to Meet My Friends. No preparation. No warning. Questionable journalism. Let’s see who answers the darn phone.

What does Proverbs 11 teach us about expanding our capacity for success, relationships, leadership, business, wealth, and the blessings God has for our lives? My Pops used to tell me, “Boy, don’t shrink your thinking”—and Proverbs 11 might be one of the clearest biblical blueprints I’ve ever found for building a foundation strong enough to think bigger, live bigger, and handle more. Yesterday, a friend told me about a phone call that happened because of one relationship—and that conversation could lead to a $25 million investment capable of shifting the landscape of one of the most well-known sports in the world. Then we talked about Maddox getting serious about photography and what we were doing this weekend. Normal conversation. Oh…and I forgot. My morning started with one of the most elite trial lawyers in Atlanta talking about preparation, motherhood, serving her community, and some of the highest-profile cases in the country. And it hit me: Relationships expand your world—but your foundation determines your capacity to handle what enters it. Proverbs 11 lays that foundation out in almost ridiculous detail. Do the right thing. Integrity wins. Pride brings disgrace; humility brings wisdom. You can’t buy love. Relationships cannot be faked. Put your hope in the right place. Speak Life. Preparation creates confidence. Be generous. Be good to people. Watch your mouth. Gossip never wins. Foolish people talk about people. Wise people talk about ideas. Seek wise counsel. Stay out of debt. Do right business. Honor what is truly valuable. Honor your family. Trust God to provide. Years ago, Mark Palermo told me that most challenges in business ultimately come down to capacity. I think that’s true about life too. If we want to expand our capacity, we have to strengthen our foundation. Proverbs 11 shows us how. Because when the foundation is strong, maybe we stop shrinking ourselves to fit our circumstances—and develop the capacity to receive the relationships, opportunities, responsibilities, and blessings designed for our lives. Pops, you were right again. And somehow you summed up an entire chapter of Proverbs in five words: “Boy, don’t shrink your thinking.” Sit with that for a second. Wisdom doesn't have to be complicated. Thanks, Pops. I miss you every day. I love you. Subscribe to The VIBE with Kelly Cardenas for INCHSTONES on Proverbs, biblical wisdom, leadership, personal development, relationships, business, faith, mindset, purpose, entrepreneurship, and becoming the person capable of carrying what you're asking God for.

Madeleine Simmons is a nationally respected trial attorney, equity partner, public servant, and advocate who has personally recovered more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts for her clients. On The VIBE with Kelly Cardenas #844, Madeleine brings the kind of perspective that can only come from standing for people when the stakes are real—and choosing service, leadership, and justice as a calling. Madeleine is an equity partner with Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, a City Councilwoman for the City of Brookhaven, and Past President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Her résumé is extraordinary—but the woman behind it is even more compelling. Madeleine has served as lead counsel in more than 30 personal injury jury trials across 11 Georgia counties, representing people whose lives have been changed through the negligence of others. Her work spans premises liability, sexual assault, motor vehicle, and trucking cases, and she has been consistently selected to the Georgia Super Lawyers list. But leadership, for Madeleine, extends far beyond the courtroom. She invests in developing and mentoring other attorneys, has coached law-school mock trial, serves on Georgia’s Civil Justice Political Action Committee board, and is a fellow of the American Board of Trial Attorneys. She is also a sought-after speaker on leadership, management, trial strategy, complex motions, and evidentiary practice. At the center of all of it is something much simpler: Madeleine Simmons believes helping others is both her professional and spiritual calling. That conviction is what makes this conversation different. Success can give you a platform. Leadership gives you responsibility. Service gives it meaning. 🎙️ THE VIBE with Kelly Cardenas — Episode #844 Featuring Madeleine Simmons If leadership, justice, personal injury law, entrepreneurship, public service, mentorship, faith, purpose, or building a life of meaningful impact matter to you, this is a conversation worth your time. SUBSCRIBE to THE VIBE and share this episode with someone who believes success should be measured by more than what we accomplish—it should also be measured by who we help.

What if there were something that could give you the benefits you’ve been searching for—with ZERO SIDE EFFECTS? What if that “product” was wisdom, and Proverbs 8 tells us it’s readily available to every single one of us? In this episode of The VIBE with Kelly Cardenas, we break down Proverbs 8 and one of the most powerful promises in the Bible: the value of wisdom. We spend our lives searching for things that promise a better life—more success, better relationships, stronger leadership, financial prosperity, clarity, confidence, influence and peace. But almost everything comes with a trade-off. Wisdom is different. Proverbs 8 describes wisdom as more valuable than silver, gold or rubies. It connects wisdom with prudence, knowledge, discretion, sound judgment, insight, strength, leadership, riches, honor, righteousness and justice. And then comes the part that stopped me: Those who seek wisdom can find it. It’s available. No prescription. No exclusive membership. No secret handshake. And ZERO SIDE EFFECTS. The question isn't whether wisdom exists. The question is whether we're willing to seek it—and then have the discipline to actually use it. This is another INCHSTONES conversation about biblical wisdom, personal growth, leadership, faith, success and becoming the person capable of carrying what you're asking for. Because sometimes the biggest transformation doesn't come from adding something new to your life. It comes from getting wiser with what is already in your hands. What would change in your life if you pursued wisdom as aggressively as you pursue success? 🎙️ The VIBE with Kelly Cardenas Making heroes human. One conversation—and one Inchstone—at a time.