Embracing Emotions

Lisa Rena Scott’s Journey to Helping Women Validate Their Feelings with her debut book and podcast: And That’s Okay!

Lisa Rena Scott is no stranger to the complexities of emotions. As an author, podcast host, and advocate for self-awareness, she has dedicated her life to helping women feel seen, heard, and validated. Through her book, And That’s Okay!, and her podcast of the same name, Lisa provides a space for women to acknowledge their feelings rather than push them aside.

Too often, women juggle careers, families, and responsibilities, leaving little room to process their own emotions. Lisa understands this struggle firsthand. “Most of us were never taught how to properly handle our emotions, sit with them, or learn from them,” she shares. “Instead, we’re told to ‘get over it’ or simply don’t have the time to sit with what we’re feeling.” Her mission is to change that—to encourage women to embrace their emotions, recognize their worth, and take steps toward personal growth without guilt.

THE STORY BEHIND AND THAT’S OKAY!

Lisa’s inspiration for writing And That’s Okay! was simple yet profound: women needed to hear that their feelings mattered. “So many of us feel like we ‘should’ have it all together,” she explains. “We think we need to be strong, not let emotions get in the way, and just keep moving forward. But the truth is, our feelings are valid.”

Instead of dismissing emotions with phrases like, “I shouldn’t feel this way,” Lisa encourages a new mindset: “I have feelings… and that’s okay.” This shift is not just about acknowledgment; it’s about processing emotions in a healthy way, leading to deeper self-awareness and personal growth.

A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY

Lisa’s journey to this realization was not a smooth one. Like many women, she has faced challenges—career shifts, parenting, child sexual abuse, divorce, and health scares. When her position was eliminated, she unexpectedly found herself in early retirement at the age of 47. “Great, right?” she muses. “That’s what I thought, too. But then reality hit.”

Suddenly, Lisa was navigating a whirlwind of emotions— anger, sadness, worry, confusion, fear one day; joy, gratitude, and excitement the next. “One thing about feelings is they never come alone,” she says. “They bring their friends, and they are complex.”

It took a year for her to settle into her new role as a stay-at-home wife and mother, but even then, she found herself searching for purpose. Through deep self-reflection, she discovered that acknowledging her emotions was the key to moving forward rather than staying stuck. This realization became the foundation of her book, offering women the encouragement and practical steps they need to embrace their own emotional journeys.

The Breakthrough Moment

Lisa’s path to writing And That’s Okay! was not just personal—it was transformational. After attending a powerful self-development seminar, she had a breakthrough moment. “We wrote our biggest fears on one side of a board and our greatest desires on the other,” she recalls. “Then, without any training, we karate-chopped through them. It was an emotional and physical representation of breaking through our barriers.”

Two months later, she attended another seminar—one that lasted 14 hours instead of the expected two. When reviewing her 28 pages of notes, she noticed something striking. Next to a particular phrase, she had written MW (short for My Words) 47 times: And That’s Okay!

It was a defining moment. “I knew then that this was something everyone needed to hear,” she says. “Whatever you’re going through, whatever you’re feeling—you were created with feelings… and that’s okay.”

Strength Through Faith And Community

When life’s challenges arise, Lisa turns to three pillars: faith, selfreflection, and community. “My faith has always been my anchor,” she says. “It reminds me that I’m never alone in my struggles.” She also believes in stepping back to process emotions and asking, “What is this challenge trying to teach me?” And, of course, having a strong support system makes all the difference. “We don’t have to do life alone,” she emphasizes.

The Lessons Lisa Wants Women To Know

Lisa’s life has taught her invaluable lessons that she now shares with others. One of the most important? “Feelings are not the enemy—ignoring them is.” She explains that when we allow ourselves to feel, we gain clarity, healing, and strength. Another key lesson is that women don’t have to be everything for everyone. “It’s okay to take up space for ourselves, set boundaries, and prioritize our well-being.”

Perhaps most importantly, she wants women to know that small, consistent actions lead to big changes. “You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight— just take one intentional step at a time.”

WHY AND THAT’S OKAY! BELONGS ON YOUR BOOKSHELF

If you’re someone who constantly pushes your emotions aside to keep up with life’s demands, And That’s Okay! is for you. This book is your permission slip to feel, reflect, and grow. With real-life examples, validation, and actionable steps, Lisa guides readers toward embracing their emotions rather than fighting them.

“If you’ve ever been told to, ‘Suck it up,’ ‘Get over it,’ ‘You’re overreacting’…this book will help to give you validation and help you move forward with confidence,” Lisa says. You can find And That’s Okay! on her website: www.lisarenascott.com

Stay Connected

Lisa continues her work through her podcast, And That’s Okay! Each week, she dives deeper into emotional well-being, self-growth, and mindset shifts.

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4dCoEQ7

YouTube: https://3XPUZgs

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Nj5aFk

She also shares insights on social media: Instagram: @AndThatsOkayQuotes Facebook: @AndThatsOkay Personal Page: @LisaRenaScott

WHAT’S NEXT?

Lisa is currently working on her second book, And That’s Okay! FOR WOMEN, which is in the editing phase.

She would love to bring these important conversations to more audiences. If you’re looking for a speaker for your book club, chamber event, Bible study group, expo, employee event, or keynote, she’d love to be invited to share her message with your community.

Lisa Rena Scott is living proof that acknowledging and embracing emotions can lead to transformation. Through her books, podcast, and coaching, she is helping women reclaim their emotional wellbeing—one “And That’s Okay!” at a time.