Designed to Win by Dara Leigh

Host Dara Leigh reflects on a busy week and invites listeners to recognize the quiet, everyday blessings—time with family, a listening ear, and small acts of love.

Through gratitude and simple practices like "notice one, encourage one, help one, include one," she encourages us to be present, value ordinary moments, and trust that small kindnesses matter.

daraleigh.com

#ChristianPodcast #FaithAndEncouragement #GodsBlessings #Gratitude #FaithInGod #ChristianLiving #FindingPurpose #DesignedToWin

Host Dara Lee digs deeper into the "notice one, encourage one, help one, include one" challenge, urging listeners to look beyond surface behavior before assigning labels or assumptions.

She shares personal stories about her children’s struggles—dyslexia, visual processing issues, hearing loss, autism, PANS, and dysautonomia—and her own health journey, showing how asking questions, advocating for evaluations, and seeking holistic care can reveal hidden causes.

Practical takeaways: document concerns, talk to teachers and clinicians, listen with compassion, and connect people to resources so differences don’t become barriers to belonging. Share your story and pass...

Dara Lee shares a personal story of her daughter being bullied and explores how adults often dismiss children's cries for help. She connects this experience to Matthew 25 and urges listeners to practice four simple actions: notice one, encourage one, help one, and include one.

The episode invites listeners to start small, share stories of compassion, and commit to paying attention so they can make a difference in someone's life.

#DesignedToWin #WhenWeLookTheOtherWay #NoticeOne #EncourageOne #HelpOne #IncludeOne #StartWithOne #FaithInAction #ChristianPodcast #SchoolCulture #StopBullying #MakeADifference

daraleigh.com

What happens when God takes something that hurt us and turns it into something we never could have imagined?

This week’s Designed to Win is a very personal conversation about prayer, forgiveness, suicide prevention, and the incredible ways God can bring beauty from the ashes of painful and traumatic experiences.

I share the story of my daughter and someone who once bullied her. Through forgiveness, something remarkable happened: the person who had once hurt her became her friend—and eventually her best friend. God has used that friendship in ways we never could have orch...

Host Dara explores how, amid today’s overwhelming problems, small acts of attention and specific encouragement can change a life. Using the biblical example of Barnabas, she explains why noticing the gifts beneath behavior and speaking meaningful words matters—especially for students and young adults facing anxiety, comparison, and academic struggle.

She issues a practical challenge: for seven days, intentionally encourage one person each day using the phrase "I noticed" plus a specific observation and why it matters. Dara invites listeners to share their stories and promises future episodes featuring people who are already doing this work in s...

Host Dara explores the life-changing power of simply noticing one person, using the stories of Ruth and Boaz and moments from Jesus' ministry to show how attention makes a difference.

She applies the idea to schools, families, and communities, urging listeners to put down their phones, learn names, listen without fixing, and accept a weekly challenge: notice one person and let God guide what comes next.

#DesignedToWin #NoticeOne #StartWithOne #EncourageOne #HelpOne #IncludeOne #SchoolCulture #SeePeople #FaithInAction #ChristianPodcast #ChristianEncouragement #StudentsMatter #TeachersMatter #CreatedForCommunity

🎙️ Designed to Win with Dara Leigh
Watch on YouTube: Designed to Win by Da...

In this episode Dara revisits a simple but powerful challenge for students, teachers, parents, and communities: notice one, encourage one, help one, and include one. She explains how small, intentional acts of kindness and attention can make schools safer, more connected, and more loving places to learn.

Rather than large programs or blame, Dara urges listeners to start with one person, use their gifts to serve others, and keep practicing these habits so small changes grow into lasting impact.

#DesignedToWin #StartWithOne #EncourageOne #HelpOne #IncludeOne #SchoolCulture #YouthMinistry #ChristianTikTok

Host Dara encourages students, teachers, and parents to embrace differences and treat one another with kindness as the school year begins. She stresses seeing each person’s gifts instead of their weaknesses and offers practical ways to support peers.

She issues the "Lift Someone Up Challenge": notice one, encourage one, help one, include one — simple, daily actions that can start a ripple of compassion and transform school culture.

visit my website : daraleigh.com

📘 NEW — Designed to Win Student Planner:
Explore the new digital planner and other resources designed to help students b...

In this episode the host reflects on what it means to give your best to the things God has placed in your hands, sharing personal stories about helping her daughter open a dance studio and the challenge of balancing responsibilities and distractions.

Drawing on Colossians 3:23, she encourages listeners to be faithful in small tasks, take one faithful step at a time, and ask, "What has God put in my hands?" The episode closes with a prayer and a reminder that you were designed to win.

📘 NEW — Designed to Win Student Planner:
Explore the ne...

Host Dara Leigh shares practical advice to help teachers, parents, and students prepare emotionally and practically for a successful new school year. Drawing from more than 25 years of experience in education, Dara talks about choosing a planner that works for you, creating daily routines, managing anxiety and stress throughout the school day, and preparing students to handle conflicts with empathy, confidence, and clear strategies.

And there is something new since this episode was originally created! The Designed to Win Student Planner is now available as a digital resource to help students put many of these strategies into...

This episode urges parents, teachers, and caregivers to prepare children not only with supplies but spiritually and emotionally for the school year: pray over them, teach them Scripture, and help them stand for themselves and others.

Listen for practical reminders to watch for changes, seek help when needed, encourage students, and commit to daily prayer and support so every child feels seen, loved, and protected.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh "

Host reflects on a near-death testimony about seeing a heavenly panorama of life and how God witnesses every choice, both good and bad.

The episode brings comfort in God’s constant presence and encourages listeners to stop dwelling on past mistakes, learn from them, and move forward toward the life God calls them to.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh "

The host reflects on grief, loss, and the choice to notice the small daily blessings that bring peace and hope. She shares a personal story of healing after her husband’s death and how intentional gratitude changed her home and heart.

Practical encouragement includes writing down five small blessings each night, blessing someone else with a kind act, and drawing closer to God through prayer, worship, and community conversation (see her weekly Conversations with God series).

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh "

In this episode the host uses a garden and unexpected pumpkins as a metaphor for seasons of barrenness, sharing personal stories of healing, provision, and restored hope. The message centers on trusting God’s timing and recognizing that a harvest may already be growing even when we cannot see it.

Listeners are encouraged to keep nurturing their faith—continue praying, speaking God’s promises, and taking faithful steps—because God is faithful and will bring the harvest at the right time.

   website: dara-leigh.com           

#DesignedToWin
#DesignedToWinPodcast
#TheHarvestIsComing
#FaithOverFear
#TrustGod
#GodsTiming...

This episode explores the question "Can God really forgive me?" as the host shares personal struggles, reflects on Psalm 139:13–19, and explains how Jesus' sacrifice demonstrates God's unconditional love and forgiveness for every past mistake.

Listeners are invited to accept Jesus, receive forgiveness, and find hope, healing, and a restored relationship with God, with encouragement to share this message with others who need it.

Visit my website dara-leigh.com for more exciting information and resources.

The host reflects on a barren patch in her yard as a metaphor for seasons of waiting and encourages listeners to keep praying, working, and trusting God even when growth isn’t visible.

She emphasizes that God cultivates our hearts and timing matters, and introduces a new segment "Conversations with God" to answer listeners’ faith questions.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh "

In this first episode of "Conversations with God," the host explores the question "How do I know when God is speaking?" She explains how God communicates through Scripture, inner promptings from the Holy Spirit, emotions, everyday circumstances, and confirmations from other people, and shares personal examples like praying for a stranger and receiving a comforting hug.

Join her weekly on Wednesdays, submit your questions about the Bible or faith, and learn practical ways to recognize and respond when God speaks.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    

youtube: "Designed to win by dar...

In this episode, a backyard patch of dirt becomes a powerful metaphor for unseen growth in our lives. The host reflects on roots, patience, and the importance of trusting God while we water and sow faithfully—even when there’s no visible fruit.

She also announces a new Wednesday segment, "Conversations with God," inviting listeners to submit questions about faith, scripture, and life for short, honest discussions.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh "

#DesignedToWinPodcast

#WhatsBeneathTheSurface

#FaithJourne...

Host Dara and her daughter Jesi share an honest conversation about Jesi's year-and-a-half journey through severe OCD, depression, grief, and suicidal thoughts, and how faith, therapy, community, and practical changes helped her find healing.

They cover triggers like social media and hormonal/genetic factors, the power of reaching out, and Jessie’s new calling as the owner of Peace in Motion Dance Studio — a space to heal through movement — closing with a clear message of hope and encouragement.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh " 

In this honest episode the host shares a morning of fatigue and grief and reflects on the phrase "beauty from ashes," drawing inspiration from Proverbs 31. Using quilts and jewelry as metaphors, she explains how God repurposes broken pieces and hard seasons into new purpose.

Through personal testimony about loss and resilience, she encourages listeners to rest, trust God’s timing, and believe that He can create something beautiful from their pain.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh " 

#DesignedToWin
#Beau...

In this episode the host reflects on the people God placed in her life at key moments — mentors, parents, teachers, friends, and strangers — who helped her move forward through hardship.

She shares personal stories: receiving a study Bible, recovering from an accident that left her a paraplegic, grieving the loss of loved ones, and receiving a timely hug that brought peace.

The episode emphasizes that God often reaches us through others and calls listeners to both receive encouragement and reach back to support someone else.

# desinged to win #Dara Leigh # Reach Back...

Host Dara shares a personal story about finding a hidden note from a former student tucked behind a broken picture frame, and how that message reminded her that God sees, cares, and has a purpose for our lives.

This short episode encourages listeners to slow down, pay attention to the ways God may be speaking—through scripture, people, memories, or unexpected moments—and to trust that hidden messages often arrive exactly when they are needed.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh " 

#Desig...

Host Dara shares a personal reflection on James 1:4, revealing how seasons of trials over the past seven years matured her faith and strengthened her trust in God.

She invites listeners to embrace stillness, trust God in the hard moments, and recognize that God is working behind the scenes to prepare them for what’s ahead.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    Also, get the free download on SPECIAL EDUCATION IEP And 504. 

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh " 

#DesignedToWin
#FaithThatStands
#James1
#ChristianPodcast
#FaithOverF...

Host Dara explores how the words we speak shape our emotions, relationships, and spiritual life, drawing on scriptures like Proverbs 18:21, Ephesians 4:29, and Matthew 12:37.

She encourages replacing negative talk with gratitude and intentional blessings, offers practical examples for changing daily speech, and challenges listeners to speak more life-giving words.

Listen for a gentle, faith-based reminder to use your tongue to lift others and yourself toward joy, peace, and abundant life.

Dara, the host of the Designed to Win podcast, shares her journey of faith, identity, and healing. While walking outdoors, she opens up about struggling to choose a niche, using multiple gifts, and how Scripture and life experiences — including homelessness, loss, and car accidents — shaped her purpose. She encourages listeners to be still, lean into God, and find hope, practical solutions, and purpose in their pain.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    Also, get the free download on SPECIAL EDUCATION IEP And 504. 

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh " 

...

On a walk with his dog, the host reflects on a podcast about his book on procrastination, arguing that fear and chronic overwhelm—fueled by a "microwave" culture of constant busyness—keeps people stuck.

He suggests slowing down, embracing rest, and noticing the simple rhythms of life (like a dog’s unhurried walk) as practical ways to move from paralysis to purposeful action.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/    Also, get the free download on SPECIAL EDUCATION IEP And 504. 

youtube: "Designed to win by dara leigh " 

#DesignedToWin<...

Host offers a brief, heartfelt message for teachers, students, and parents as the school year winds down, reminding listeners to keep going and not give up.

Drawing on Galatians 6:9, the episode emphasizes taking things one step at a time, finding small moments of joy, and encouraging one another to finish the year strong.

Host Dara draws on her experience as a parent and educator to explain why children who avoid work often aren’t lazy but may struggle with dyslexia, ADHD, executive function, or overwhelm. Labels can damage confidence, and understanding the root cau...

Host Dara draws on her experience as a parent and educator to explain why children who avoid work often aren’t lazy but may struggle with dyslexia, ADHD, executive function, or overwhelm. Labels can damage confidence, and understanding the root causes matters.

The episode offers practical steps: ask “what’s getting in the way,” break tasks into small steps, use routines and planners, lean on strength-based learning, and create a safe space and community support to help kids succeed.

#DesignedToWin #YourChildIsNotLazy #ADHDStudents #DyslexiaSupport #ExecutiveFunction #LearningDifferences #ParentingTeens #HelpingStudents #StudentConfidence #SchoolStruggles

WEBSITE :d...

“Replay Episode: This is a message many still need to hear today.”

Join us in this transformative episode as we explore the profound journey from anxiety and depression to hope and healing. Building on last week's impactful episode featuring a personal account of overcoming mental health struggles, this session dives deeper into the effects of stress and negative thinking on our well-being.

Discover six practical steps to shift your mindset, designed to foster gratitude, positivity, and growth in your daily life. Be inspired by methods to speak positivity into your life, surround yourself with uplifting infl...

This episode walks parents and students through the emotional, practical, and academic steps to prepare for major school transitions—elementary to middle, middle to high school, or college. It covers updating IEPs/504s, building organizational systems, advocating for accommodations, and strengthening identity and confidence.

Listeners will get concrete tips to reduce overwhelm, help students practice routines over the summer, and use tools like the Design to Win planner to build autonomy and success.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/   FOR "From Stuck to Started: 7-day Identity Reset challenge"   FREE Download of Special...

Feeling exhausted and buried under missing assignments as the school year winds down? This episode explains why students aren’t lazy but fatigued, and offers practical steps to reduce overwhelm: list and visualize missing work, tackle one task at a time, use short work blocks and breaks to fight burnout, and build simple structures that replace motivation with consistent habits.

It also introduces an undated student planner designed to centralize assignments, track progress, and help students—especially those with learning differences—reset and finish the year strong.

safe practice and verbalization of knowledge; reducin...

In this episode Dara explains what test anxiety looks like, why it can make students freeze or second-guess themselves, and how it often affects children with learning differences. She offers four practical strategies—structured, short study sessions; safe practice and verbalization of knowledge; reducing pressure and perfectionism; and pursuing accommodations or modifications—to help students perform their best.

Throughout the episode she encourages parents and educators to support kids with understanding, tools, and confidence, reminding them that test scores do not define a child’s intelligence or value.

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here...

This episode explains what an IEP/ARD meeting is, why it matters for your child, and five practical things every parent should know to prepare: how to document your child’s struggles and strengths, know and assert your rights, request meetings anytime, ask questions, and take time to review decisions.

It offers encouragement, resources, and next steps, including joining a supportive community and visiting the host’s website for downloadable tools and guides.

#IEP meeting

#ARD meeting Help

# Parent help Special Education

#ADHD School Support

#Dysle...

Host Dara explores why students procrastinate at the end of the school year, often due to burnout, cognitive fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed rather than laziness.

She offers simple strategies: list all tasks, break work into small 20-minute steps, focus on progress over perfection, and build systems that match each student’s learning style to restore confidence and motivation.

#StudentProcrastination #LearningDifferences #ADHDStudents #DyslexiaSupport #ExecutiveFunction #StudentConfidence #ParentingTeens #SpecialEducation #DesignedToWin #StudentSuccess

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/   FOR "From Stuck to Started: 7-day Identity Reset challenge"

youtube: Designed...

In this episode, the host reflects on how returning joy and laughter revealed the subtle ways fear had narrowed their focus. They explore how fear can look like constant calculation, obsession over outcomes, and a tightened vision, and contrast striving born from panic with obedience rooted in peace. Through personal experience and a closing prayer, listeners are encouraged to pause, release fear, restore joy, and take small faith-led steps forward.

#Jesus #God #Faith #Christian #Bible #Christianity #Hope #GodIsGood #Believer #ChristianLiving #BibleVerse #TrustGod #SpiritualJourney

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/ ...

In this episode Dara honestly shares how months and years of stress left her living in survival mode and slowly stole her joy.

After a moment of unexpected laughter, she reflects on Proverbs 17:22 — "A merry heart does good like medicine" — and explains how laughter and joy are restorative, reducing stress and renewing perspective.

Dara invites listeners to intentionally reclaim joy now, not wait for perfect circumstances, and closes with a short prayer asking God to restore laughter and trust.

#Jesus #God #Faith #Christian #Bible #Christianity #Hope #GodIsGood #Believer #ChristianLiving #BibleVerse #TrustGod #SpiritualJourney

 <...

Host Dara opens up about fatigue and spiritual fog and shares three guiding words she received: healing, hope, and glory. She explains how healing restores identity, hope anchors you through uncertainty, and glory transforms struggle into lasting strength.

If you're feeling stuck or short-circuited, this episode encourages rest, trust in the process, and the reminder that you are created with purpose and still designed to win.

#Jesus #God #Faith #Christian #Bible #Christianity #Hope #GodIsGood #Believer #ChristianLiving #BibleVerse #TrustGod #SpiritualJourney

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://www.dara-leigh.com/   FOR "From Stuck to Sta...

This episode explores the greatest love story: God’s unconditional love for you, shown through Jesus and a desire for relationship.

It encourages meeting people where they are with intentional presence—calls, handwritten notes, shared coffee, prayer—and choosing practical ways to show love to the lonely, grieving, or overlooked.

Close with a brief prayer and a reminder that God sees you and loves you, inviting listeners to reflect that love this Valentine’s week.

#DesignedToWin
#ChristianPodcast
#FaithBased
#IdentityInChrist
#PurposeDriven
#KingdomLiving
#FaithAndEducation
#IdentityMatters
#PurposeOv...

In this episode the host shares a candid, faith-driven reflection on recent struggles, recognizing that fear—not victimhood—was narrowing their focus. Drawing on Proverbs 3:5-6, they explore what true trust in God looks like, offer practical questions to help listeners surrender control, and close with a prayer and invitation to a simple week-long reset.

#DesignedToWin
#ChristianPodcast
#FaithBased
#IdentityInChrist
#PurposeDriven
#KingdomLiving
#FaithAndEducation
#IdentityMatters
#PurposeOverPerformance
#ValueEveryChild
#RaiseTheNextGeneration
#EducationReform
#HomeschoolCommunity
#ChristianParents
#NextGenerationLeaders
#YouthIdentity

WEBSITE :daraleigh.com    click here:  https://w...

Host Dara shares a raw, real-life episode about a week full of unexpected problems, stress, and exhaustion, offering comfort that feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean failure. She encourages listeners to pause, breathe, and surrender their worries to God.

Practical steps include finding quiet time with God, talking to someone safe, taking one faithful step at a time, and resting instead of trying to fix everything at once. The episode closes with a prayer and a reminder that you are not alone and still designed to win.

#DesignedToWin
#ChristianPodcast
#FaithBased
#IdentityInChrist
...