A Big, Happy Life with Whitney Putnam

In this bonus episode, Kat + I talk all about this quote, "When I became a Christian, it never occurred to me that I was going to need to downplay my strengths in order to fit within the social scripts of Western Christianity." In this powerful conversation, we dive into women in the church, sexuality, body image + her new book, Sexless in the City. This episode is for all the women out there wondering how they fit into Christiandom. It's for the men, too, wondering how to support their strong women.

Let's talk women's bodies + healthy lifestyles, shall we? Podcaster + author Latasha Ferguson talks all about her own health journey and shares how she overcame being a single mom on welfare weighing the heaviest she ever weighed to where she is now - healthy + happy. We get into the shameful pathways of thinking + negative views women hold about their bodies. Latasha shares the work that really ended up changing her life + it isn't the cabbage soup diet. Latasha's story is one for any woman who has ever battled a relationship with food or unhealthy + unholy viewpoints of her body (which is many of us). You will feel so deeply inspired + have such powerful tools after listening to  this incredibly honest + vulnerable conversation. Let's go meet my friend, Latasha.

In this episode, you get to pull up a seat and get into the mind of a pastor's wife. Normally many pastor's wives don't "let you in" for fear of what might be said about them, but Rebecca shares her story boldly and beautifully. She wants to live ministry life as authentically as she can, therefore we get to learn what her experience has been like, hopefully spurring us on to support our ministry leaders. Rebecca and I also dive into tough conversations about our bodies, struggles in friendships and just straight up shame conversations. Rebecca's honesty is refreshing. I can't wait for you to know her!

In this episode we talk all about following God when it doesn't line up with the American Dream. Bethany Adkins and her husband had the big house in California. They had a pretty dreamy lifestyle.  And they were working great jobs while raising a family with some darling kids. Then God rearranged their dreams, which left them with a lot of questions until they were obedient and moved across the country. Bethany and I talk all about listening to God when He asks us to do the unpopular thing. She shares her story of joy despite it looking very different from worldly happiness. And we talk about how to walk by faith even when it is scary and uncertain. Spoiler alert: they are happier than ever. Tune in to this episode! 

In this episode, Alan Briggs and I talk all about leadership + abundant life. Alan helps leaders discover their unique design.  As the founder of Stay Forth Designs, he cares about leaders becoming free + coming alive again. Chatting with Alan was like sitting down for one heck of a coaching session + I guarantee he's going to tell you something in this episode you need in order to take a step forward in your own journey. We talk about scarcity mentality, the value of relationships + the power of clarity. Consider this your own personal coaching session. Our treat. Alan + I agree: a big, happy life is available in Jesus, keep fighting for it.

In this episode, we get to hear Sharon's own road to abundance. Sharon is a well-known voice in today's Christianity. You can find her leading her own church alongside her husband, as well as speaking up for the advancement of the kingdom via her own books, Nice + Free of Me. She also cuts through the social media world, making us think and bring clarity to the day, As we chat, we discuss her own thought process of how she decides when to say no and what to keep building. She provides such wisdom in how to chose emotional health over constant striving. And then she dives into her own journey as a woman in ministry. It's quite fascinating! Ya'll are going to love her (if you don't already). She will help you see the way of Jesus and take a moment to decide for yourself how you want to keep following Him.

In this episode, we wrap up our mini-series on leadership. The fifth "B" is "building purpose." Jesus was the most mission-filled human that ever existed. Yes, He was full of mercy + grace. He was full of passion. He was full of hope. He also was completely filled with purpose. Jesus lived every minute with purpose. When he got away, it was for a purpose. When he gathered people around a table, it was for a purpose. When he healed, purpose. When he rebuked the pharisees it was for a purpose. Jesus was zealous with purpose. In today’s episode, I want to encourage you to find your purpose and create pathways toward it. 

Jesus built a team that changed the world, but if you talk with anyone managing people and its dynamics are the hardest part about building a team that creates change. Jesus had several aspects about his team that show us how to build a team and/or community worth noting. Jesus didn't build a perfect team, but he did build a team based off conviction. He also chose ordinary men and women, He picked people who cared about obedience to God and He also created a team who lived open and transparent lives. It's so important that we surround ourselves with people who are committed to the mission and one another. Let's chat!

In this episode, we don't talk about the habits most everyone talks about. Get up, make your bed, work out, read your Bible, establish a to-do list, go to bed early. Although those are all great, Jesus created some habits that actually allowed his message to spread across the globe. How? We explore some key habits Jesus set that advanced his mission on a day-to-day basis. Tune in to find out all three habits that we can apply to our lives, too!

In this episode of a big, happy life we explore the second "B" of leadership - building our talents. We discuss answering the question: What are you good at? and why it can be so hard to answer. We also dive into the difference between humility and confidence as well as what boundaries you put in place to ensure your gifts are being used. All of us are called to be leaders as student's of Jesus.  So here is your invitation to be the very best leader you can be. Let's build our talents. Ready, go!