Today's episode with Katy McCown will leave you both challenged and inspired! She talks about her journey of learning how to give God her "heart wounds" and her "deal with it" mentality to truly become healed and experience true freedom. She discovered how memorizing and digesting the Word of God led to her being able to prepare for when tough times came and will come in the future. Her new Bible study, She Belongs, is available now for preorder, so click the link below to order and enjoy today's episode!

Bio:

Katy McCown is a writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries, host of the Best Day Ever podcast, and author of She Smiles without Fear. Katy left her job as a television news reporter to join her husband, Luke, on their adventure in the National Football League. Luke and Katy have six children.

Anchor Verse:

2 Timothy 1:7

Connect with Katy:

Website: https://katymccown.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/katymccown/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/katymccown7

Preorder She Belongs Bible Study: https://www.amazon.com/She-Belongs-Six-Session-Finding-Christ/dp/0830784624?crid=2WUAAWC1K2N55&keywords=she+belongs+katy+mccown&qid=1681432865&sprefix=she+belongs+katy,aps,146&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=slm21-20&linkId=5511caf028df68383144b654a12e1239&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***

This interview with my friend, Nita Whitaker was recorded over a year ago when her book, When Your Hand is in the Lion's Mouth, was released. She wrote this book about the life lessons she learned from watching her father and listening to his stories. Nita has been blessed to share stages with amazing people during her time as a singer and performer, but the one thing she remembers her dad telling her is that everyone is the same, people are just using their gifts in different ways. We also talk about our careers as nurses and how it has helped us as we are moving closer to what God has called us to be! There are so many good nuggets in this conversation! I pray that it will bless and guide you as you move closer in a relationship with God.

Bio:

Nita Whitaker is a former ICU registered nurse-turned Miss Louisiana, an accomplished singer, and award-winning actress and author.

Whitaker’s first independently published memoir, Finding My Voice: My Journey through Grief to Grace, won the Indie Discovery Book Award (Aging/Death and Dying) and two National Indie Excellence Book Awards in the Grief and Memoir Categories.

Born in Shreveport, LA, she champions literacy through her 501c3 non-profit In A World With Books (www.inaworldwithbooks.org) which has put 18,500 new books in the hands of underserved children and counting.

Whitaker has contributed articles for Inspired Women online magazine, was recently featured in Voyager LA magazine, and has also recorded and co-produced four independent records.

Anchor Verses:

Isaiah 40:31

Psalm 23

Psalms

Connect with Nita Whitaker

Official Site: www.nitawhitaker.com

Instagram: @soprantygirl

Facebook: Nita Whitaker

**Disclaimer: I apologize if you need to alter the volume throughout this recording. It was recorded over a year ago and there are some places where the volume goes down. Again, I apologize.**

***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***

Today's episode is one filled with hope in how God used the tragedy of the June 2021 collapse of the Surfiside Condo in Florida to bring restoration and healing to so many people. Mike Noriega shares about how he traded the pain of losing his grandmother to find the purpose God had given him to share not only her story, but the stories of survivors and those who were lost. He and I found common ground through the relationships we had with our grandmothers and that we would not be where we are now if it weren't for them and the legacy they left behind. One of my favorite parts of the discussion are the three pillars of his grandmother's life and how they were represented at the site of the collapse.

I pray this episode helps each of you with whatever you are going through today. Please share this message with other who need to hear it and click the link below to order Mike's book, Uncollapsable Soul.

Bio:

Mike Noriega is a spokesperson, author and public speaker. Through his personal journey with loss following the aftermath of the Surfside Condo Collapse, Noriega has become an inspirational voice for both his family and community, sharing their experience, struggles and unwavering faith through the colossal tragedy. Noriega’s mission is to guide and empower others in their journey of hope, healing and restoration, offering the wisdom of an “uncollapsable” soul, even in the face of heartbreak. 

Anchor Verse:

Romans 8:28

Main Verse From Story:

Psalm 34:18

Discussed:

Shelter In by VOUS Worship: https://open.spotify.com/track/7pT9gaxPJul5gPHr1dXpa7?si=l8rWcNJ2QtWcPDOAR1dRyg&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Ashelter%2Bin

Connect with Mike:

Website: https://www.uncollapsablesoul.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.noriega/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.noriega

***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***

This conversation with my new friend, Melissa Johnson is such an important one to have. We talk about how media and other outside influences are determining our self worth and identifying who we are in every area of our lives. In her new book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting For Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, Melissa discusses the importance of looking to God to find our identity. She talks about her struggle with an eating disorder that began in her adulthood and how the recovery journey has influenced her and led her to understand God and His Presence in a whole new way! I pray this conversation helps and encourages you today where you are to truly look beyond the exterior and into who God created you to be starting with the inside.

Bio:

Melissa Johnson is a marriage and family therapist, is a spiritual director, and teaches an undergraduate course at Bethel University on soul wellbeing. Melissa is also the founder of Impossible Beauty, a blog and podcast dedicated to redefining beauty as “the life of God at work in us and among us.” Melissa lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband.

Anchor Verse:

John 10:10

Connect with Melissa:

Website: https://www.impossible-beauty.com

IG: https://instagram.com/melissa.louise.johnson

Ministry IG: https://instagram.com/impossible.beauty

FB: https://www.facebook.com/impossible.beauty.podcast

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/impossible-beauty/id1473369496

Book Links: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492083?fbclid=PAAaaCt5RYBLGaGHQNyrQumzNLEjAvxTaoASDL9Um20Xs1ERRpmbbwCCcj6vU_aem_th_AfT7B5AYDMGTyNAc8dPGJe0-CKjb8EDByNZ_qakaayg_shpvMm2LObZFttdTs-IraNE

https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Deep-Beauty-Fighting-Demanding-Flawless/dp/0764241656/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

**This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!**

Today's interview with Carol McLeod is so powerful, encouraging and challenging for each of us. She loves God's Word with a fervency that is highly addictive! She talks about how God and His Word got her through multiple devastating pregnancy losses, depression and a cancer battle. Her joy was not dependent on her feelings or on her circumstances, but on God Himself. She talks about how important it is to stand up in faith and allow God to be our anchor. She has a new book coming out today called, Timeless: The Living and Enduring Word of God. I would encourage you to grab this and her other resources at the links below! Enjoy this episode and I pray it blesses you and others today!

Bio:

Carol McLeod is a sought-after speaker, best-selling author of 16 books and the host of two successful podcasts, including “Jolt of Joy”, a podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network which is ranked in the top 5% of podcasts internationally, and “Significant Women,” which is ranked in the top 10% of podcasts worldwide. Her weekly blog “Joy for the Journey” has been named to the Top 50 Faith Blogs for Women, and her YouVersion devotionals have been enjoyed by nearly 4 million people around the world.  In September, she is prepping to launch a weekly TV show, called “The Joy Life.”  Known for her great joy and enthusiasm, Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical Bible-focused messages, interspersed with her own special brand of hope and humor.

Her 16th book, “Timeless: The Living and Enduring Word of God,” which released June 27, 2023, dives into the book of 1 Peter. Even though it was written two millennia ago, it is as practical, hopeful, and up-to-date as anything written today. In this Bible study, Carol encourages us to find the timeless truths of Scripture found in Peter’s words. It has an accompanying 9-week video teaching series, making it a great choice for small group study.

Carol has been married to her college sweetheart, Craig, for 44 years and is the mother of 5 children in heaven and 5 children on earth.  Graduates of Oral Roberts University, Craig and Carol have spent the past 38 years pastoring churches across America. Currently, Craig is the North American Director for Global Partners and is training pastors and helping to plant churches in unreached areas of the globe.

They are now enjoying being “Marmee” and “Pa” to their 10 delicious grandchildren ... whom Carol refers to as “The 10 Wonders of the World!”

Anchor Verse:

Psalm 16:11

Nehemiah 8:10b

Acts 13:36

Connect with Carol:

Website: https://www.carolmcleodministries.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolmcleodministries 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolmcleod  

Significant Women Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/significant-women-with-carol-mcleod-carol-mcleod/id1500029875 

TV: https://www.carolmcleodministries.com/the-joy-life-tv

App Through Apple:  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/carol-mcleod-ministries/id1614262418

***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***

I love today's interview with my new friend, Rachel Baribeau! We talked about how she started out breaking glass ceilings in the sports broadcasting world, which most people don't know was an area I wanted to go into as a child! She also talks about how her struggle with mental health and suicidal ideations how changed the trajectory of her life. She now speaks to people in schools and other places about how to discover and find joy in the most difficult situations. She also has her new book that came out today called, Relentless Joy that I highly recommend! The link to purchase it is below along with the links to follow Rachel to learn more about her and her ministry!

Bio:

Rachel Joy Baribeau is a Moth award-winning storyteller, an inspirational speaker, a highly sought-after teacher, a national movement maker, and a former ceiling-shattering national sportscaster. She received her bachelor's in Radio, Television and Film from Auburn University, and is the host of the Joystarters podcast. When she is not traveling to speak or teach, Rachel adores naps, dancing in her kitchen, museums and history, and trying to spread joy on a daily basis. Of all the titles she goes by, she loves wife and bonus mom the most. She lives in Florida with her family and fur-children.

Anchor Verses:

Isaiah 40:31

Jeremiah 29:11

Genesis 50:20

Connect with Rachel:

Website: https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbaribeau/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/rachelbaribeau/

Order Her New Book Today: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0800742478

***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!****

Today's conversation with Kellie Haddock is one covered with hope, even in the midst of tragedy. She defines herself as a "hope-giver" and that shines through everything she does from music to speaking and in every other part of her life. We discuss how God is living and active and how she experienced both the valley and His blessings. She also stresses the importance of not comparing her story to your own because everyone is on a specific part of the journey God has us on. I pray this week's episode truly blesses you and gives you the hope you need to make it through the day!

Also, click the YouTube link below to hear her entire story!

Bio:

Kellie Haddock is a singer, songwriter, wife and mom. A former widow, Kellie has lived through tragedy and found hope and joy on the other side. Her powerful pop anthems are pumping with hope to fuel your soul with an honesty that acknowledges the struggle and a perspective that points to redemption and beauty.

Anchor Verse:

Psalm 84

Haggai 2

Connect with Kellie:

About Kellie: https://www.kelliehaddock.com/about

Kellie's Music: https://www.kelliehaddock.com/music

IG: https://instagram.com/kelliehaddockmusic

https://www.facebook.com/kelliehaddockofficial

YouTube Story Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoCGzpByfQi8gopMXcua1TN1v7NJxooDk

***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***

Today's conversation with Jami Nato was such a joy and an adventure! Her book, This Must Be The Place, comes out today and it is definitely on my list of top faves! Much like her book, we manage to talk about so many different topics from growing up in purity culture to the process of deconstructing from religion to faith after facing the most difficult challenge she thought she would ever face. She loves making people laugh and feel less alone on her instagram page and is not afraid to say what someone else is thinking!

Enjoy today's episode and then click the link below to get her book today!

Bio:

Jami Nato is a writer, serial entrepreneur, and apparently an Instagram influencer (insert jazz hands). She mentors thousands of leaders by running an essential oils business and a local coffee shop. She has four non-Catholic kids who attend Catholic school, one irritatingly athletic husband, a dog with one eye, and several plants she brings to the edge of death regularly. She juggles this circus in the best-kept secret of the Midwest where people genuinely do care about your aunt’s hip surgery: Kansas City.

Anchor Verses:

Ephesians 4:32

Romans 5:8

Connect with Jami:

Website: https://jaminato.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jaminato/

Order Her New Book Today: https://www.amazon.com/This-Must-Place-Following-Breadcrumbs/dp/0764241265/

***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***

Today's episode with my new friend, Cally Logan, covered so many different topics. We talk about her past history with depression and suicidal ideations and why she tattooed a semicolon on her wrist. We also talk about purity culture versus purity and how the definitions have both harmed and helped past and present generations. She talks about her newest book, Dear Future Husband, and how it came to be using letters she began writing to her future husband when she was 18. The overarching theme of this podcast is that God loves you and you are not alone. Even though you may be in a storm right now, God is in it with you.

Bio:

Cally Logan is a US History teacher and Senior Writer for Crosswalk.com. She served as a small group leader for High School girls for several years, and enjoys challenging her students to develop deeper relationships with God and to live fearlessly and authentically. She received her B.A. Degree from Regent University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in nature, genuine connection chats over coffee.

Anchor Verse:

Proverbs 3:5-6

Connect with Cally:

IG: https://instagram.com/callylogan

Website: https://callylogan.com/

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please contact the Suicide Hotline at one of the numbers below or go to your nearest emergency room.

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

TTY: 1-800-799-4889

www,suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Live Online Chat

***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***

Today's episode with Christa Joy Spaeth is such a great discussion about her finding her own voice in the online ministry world. When God called her up and out, she had to discover more about who she was and who God was calling her to be; and more about God Himself. We talk about how we both came to realize what a great community the writing and speaking world can be and how she came to write her own book and help other on theirs. Enjoy today's conversation!

Bio:

This blessed wife, mother of two, and businesswoman is passionate about living up to God’s plans for her every day. So much so that in 2022, she stepped down from her decades-long career as a Registered Dietitian at a large food manufacturing company to pursue the promptings of the Lord. In a prayer cabin called “Whisper,” He prompted her to write a seven-week devotional titled “Powerful Whispers,” which launched February 22, 2023. Since then, Christa’s eyes, heart, and ears were opened to more whispers, so that she may start fulfilling her new purpose of helping the hurting and sharing the love of Christ. Today, through her ministry, Christa Joy Ministries, she publishes her own books and writes encouragements and "God whispers" on her social media accounts. In addition, she does guest blog posts for various social media accounts.

Anchor Verse:

Jeremiah 33:3

James 1:5

Connect with Christa:

Website: https://www.christajoyministries.com

IG: https://instagram.com/christajoyministries

***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***