Welcome back to The Speakeasy Podcast! In this episode, I'm joined by one of my closest friends—and one of my favorite people to learn from—Amy Bernhardt. I call her my "continuing education friend" because she's always learning, growing, and sharing wisdom that hits deep. Amy recently shared something online that stopped me in my tracks:

"What if your weight loss journey isn't about losing weight at all, but about God teaching you about yourself and preparing you for what's next?"

That idea launched one of the most honest and powerful conversations we've had—about what happens when we stop chasing perfection and start letting God use our health journey to heal our hearts, renew our minds, and strengthen our spirits.

Amy shares her story of going from extreme fitness culture and burnout to walking in balance, fasting, and freedom. She opens up about breaking cycles of self-sabotage, learning discipline through small daily choices, and discovering that getting healthy can be one of the holiest things you ever do.

We also talk about:

• The false identities that keep us stuck in shame and failure

• How fasting revealed spiritual strongholds, not just physical habits

• The connection between physical healing, emotional renewal, and obedience

• What it means to start before you "feel ready" and trust God with the process

This conversation is both real and redemptive, reminding us that God cares about every part of us—body, mind, and spirit—and He's in the details of your healing journey.

PreBorn — Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound for a woman considering abortion. When she hears her baby's heartbeat, everything changes. You can be the voice of hope that helps save a life and support a mother in need. 💛 Give today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

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In this episode, we continue our Ending Well series by diving into what it really means to go a different way—to stop running on self-reliance, striving, and noise, and instead return to the quiet confidence of walking with God.

This has been one of the hardest years of my life, but also one of the most redemptive. Through heartbreak, pruning, and wilderness seasons, God has been dismantling old patterns and showing me that His way—the quiet, trusting, restful way—isn't weakness. It's strength.

God led me to Isaiah 30:15:

"In returning and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength."

It's a verse that has completely reframed my year and the way I view obedience. In this conversation, we unpack what those four words—returning, rest, quiet, and trust—look like in real life. From letting go of the need to hustle, to learning to rest when it feels unsafe, to finding courage in stillness, this is a roadmap for ending the year not just reflective—but renewed.

If you've been wandering, striving, fighting, or doubting, this episode will remind you that God's invitation is simple: Come home. Rest. Be still. Trust Me.

Because the way you've always done things isn't the way God is asking you to end this year. He's calling you to go a different way.

PreBorn — A ministry rescuing babies and supporting mothers in crisis. Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound for a woman considering abortion—and when she hears her baby's heartbeat, everything changes. Be a voice of hope. Sponsor an ultrasound today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

CrowdHealth — Healthcare shouldn't be confusing or crushing. CrowdHealth is a community-based alternative to insurance that helps you take back control. Pay a simple monthly fee, get your bills negotiated, and join others sharing costs when life happens. Get started for just $99 for your first three months with code SPEAKEZ at joincrowdhealth.com

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In this episode, I sit down for the third time with one of my all-time favorite authors, Gary Thomas, whose books have radically shaped my faith and perspective on life, relationships, and spiritual growth. From When to Walk Away to Sacred Marriage and Sacred Pathways, Gary's writing has helped countless believers understand what it means to live a life rooted in truth and grace. His newest book, The Life You Were Reborn to Live, takes that even deeper—calling out the spiritual lies that keep us buried beneath the surface of God's best.

These lies are subtle, familiar, and often sound like wisdom—but they quietly rob us of peace, purpose, and abundance. In this conversation, Gary and I unpack three of the most powerful lies from his book that hit me straight in the heart (and probably will for you, too). We talk about:

• Dismantling Restlessness — learning to live in peace, not panic.

• Dismantling the Comfort Lie — seeing affliction as God's loving pruning, not punishment.

• Dismantling Complacent Ignorance — rekindling a hunger for wisdom that transforms how we think and live.

Gary helps us see how many of these lies have even slipped into church culture—convincing us to chase comfort, control, or comparison instead of the freedom and renewal Christ offers. This episode will help you identify where the enemy has kept you "underground" and remind you that you were reborn to live in the light.

It's the perfect conversation to help us end the year well—tearing down what's false and walking boldly into the truth.

PreBorn — A ministry rescuing babies and supporting mothers in crisis. Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound for a woman considering abortion—and when she hears her baby's heartbeat, everything changes. Be a voice of hope. Sponsor an ultrasound today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

CrowdHealth — Take your power back from broken health insurance. For a simple monthly fee, CrowdHealth connects you to a community that shares medical costs while negotiating lower bills on your behalf. With CrowdHealth, you can finally get quality care at a fair price—no surprises, no insurance middleman. Get started for just $99 for your first three months with code SPEAKEZ at joincrowdhealth.com

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more faith-filled conversations that challenge, encourage, and inspire: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ

In this special bonus episode, we close out the year by slowing down and reflecting on what it means to end well — not by hustling harder, but by listening closely to the voice of God. After a year marked by pruning, change, and growth, [Host] shares how the Lord has used silence, stillness, and surrender to shape her faith and restore her peace.

This heartfelt conversation is an honest look at what it's like to walk through a season of refining — where God asks you to lay things down, quiet the noise, and trust His timing. From learning to discern His voice through Scripture and the Holy Spirit's promptings, to recognizing His confirmation in everyday moments, this episode will help you reclaim ground that's been lost and realign your heart with His for the year ahead.

If you've ever wrestled with the question "How do I know it's God's voice?" or felt weary from a year that didn't go as planned, this episode will meet you right where you are. Together, we'll end the year well — remembering His faithfulness, celebrating His pruning, and preparing to hear Him more clearly in the new year.

This episode is brought to you by PreBorn, a ministry rescuing babies and supporting mothers in crisis. Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound for a woman considering abortion — and in that sacred moment when she hears her baby's heartbeat, everything changes.

💛 Be the first voice of hope she hears. Sponsor an ultrasound today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

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In this episode, Hannah Morgan joins the conversation to share her powerful story of faith, suffering, and redemption. Hannah is a wife, mom, and the author of The Vial: A Memoir of Survival and Faith. Her journey began after she experienced a severe adverse reaction to a vaccine in high school—an event that changed every part of her life and led to years of physical pain, unanswered questions, and wrestling with God in the dark.

Through years of illness, misdiagnoses, and loss, Hannah's faith was tested in ways that most of us can only imagine. Yet through every setback, she discovered the unmistakable hand of God—working through her family, her husband, and a relentless hope that refused to die. Her story is a reminder that even when our faith feels fragile, God is still faithful, still near, and still writing redemption into our pain.

This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply moving. It's about finding purpose in suffering, holding tension in controversial spaces, and trusting God when you can't see the way forward. Whether you're walking through your own season of uncertainty or simply need a reminder that hope is real, Hannah's story will encourage you to keep believing when everything in you wants to give up.

This episode is brought to you by PreBorn, a ministry that helps rescue babies and support mothers in crisis. Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound that can save a life. In that moment—when a mother hears her baby's heartbeat—everything changes.

Be a voice of hope. Sponsor an ultrasound today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more powerful conversations of faith and redemption: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ

In this episode, Mandy Arioto—CEO of MomCo (formerly MOPS)—joins the conversation to remind us that motherhood isn't just about raising kids. It's about raising the Kingdom. Together, we talk about how motherhood is the holiest ground many of us will ever stand on—where God refines us, redefines us, and shows us what really matters.

From sleepless nights and endless laundry to the deep spiritual work of shaping little hearts, Mandy helps us see that motherhood is not a distraction from important work—it is the important work. We discuss how surrendering control, slowing down, and embracing fun can transform our homes and our hearts. And we explore how to quiet the world's noise and remember that God delights in the details of our daily lives.

Whether you're in the trenches with littles, navigating the tween years, or preparing for an empty nest, this conversation will remind you that God is using every moment to build His Kingdom through you.

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In this episode, Tilly Dillehay joins the conversation to talk about something that touches every one of us—spiritual warfare—and how it plays out in the most ordinary parts of our lives. From our attention spans to our homes to the hidden battles of motherhood, Tilly helps pull back the curtain on how the enemy works to distract, divide, and destroy the good things God has given us.

Tilly is the author of My Dear Hemlock, a reimagining of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters written from a female perspective. Through that lens, she explores how temptation, distraction, and deception uniquely target women—especially in their marriages, motherhood, and daily habits. Together, we talk about the spiritual war being fought over our focus, our peace, and our homes, and how confession, presence, and awareness become our greatest weapons.

This conversation reminds us that not every hard moment is random—there's a battle for your attention, your joy, and your family. But even more important, we have a Savior who's already won the war.

This episode is brought to you by Angel Studios, creators of films and series that shine light in a dark world. Their newest movie, SKETCH, is a heartwarming adventure that celebrates imagination, family, and faith. Become a Premium Angel Guild member today and get two free tickets to see SKETCH in theaters, plus full access to Angel's inspiring streaming library.

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In this episode, Emily Berning, co-founder of Let Them Live, joins the conversation to share how one act of radical obedience turned into a national movement that has helped hundreds of women choose life. Emily and her husband started with nothing but conviction—emptying their own bank account to meet the needs of one mother in crisis. From that single step of faith, God multiplied their "yes" into an organization that's now rescued over a thousand babies from abortion.

Our conversation isn't just about the incredible work of Let Them Live—it's about what it means to say yes to God when it feels terrifying. Emily's story is a testimony to how obedience, even when it doesn't make sense, becomes the catalyst for miracles. We talk about the power of meeting people where they are, how God provides when the numbers don't add up, and what it looks like to keep walking when fear tells you to stop.

Whether you're passionate about defending life, feeling called to start something new, or simply need a reminder that God honors faith over comfort, this episode will challenge and encourage you to step out and trust Him with what you have.

This episode is brought to you by Nutrafol and Angel Studios—two brands that share our mission to inspire, strengthen, and restore hope.

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In this episode, Rachel Van Kluyve joins the conversation to share how God built her family in ways she never expected. What began as a discussion about transracial adoption—how God brought her two beautiful daughters into her family and the challenges that came with it—became a powerful reflection on obedience, trust, and doing the next right thing when God calls you into the unknown.

Rachel opens up about how her journey from DIY influencer to advocate, mother, and author has reshaped her understanding of faith and surrender. From walking through backlash and uncertainty to experiencing God's unmistakable hand in the details, she reminds us that His plans are always better than our own—and that His timing is perfect.

Whether you're navigating adoption, stepping into a new calling, or learning to trust God in unexpected turns, this conversation will encourage you to take the next faithful step and watch Him write a story far greater than you imagined.

This episode is brought to you by Angel Studios, whose mission is to tell stories that amplify light. Their newest family movie, SKETCH, captures the magic of imagination and the power of love and courage as a family faces challenges together. When you become a Premium Angel Guild member, you'll receive two free tickets to see SKETCH in theaters and gain full access to their streaming library of inspiring films and series.

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In this episode, Abby—known online as M is for Mama—returns to the show to talk about her newest book, You Bet Your Stretch Marks, the third installment in her motherhood series. With honesty, humor, and a heart deeply rooted in scripture, Abby encourages moms to see that the hard seasons are not wasted and that motherhood, even in the trenches, is profoundly worth it.

From battling doubt and comparison to learning how to surrender control to God, Abby shares her own stories of raising ten children—including twins twice—and offers wisdom that applies to every stage of parenting. She reminds us that motherhood is a calling, not a punishment, and that Jesus meets us in both the victories and the struggles. Whether you're a new mom, a grandmother, or simply someone feeling stretched thin, this conversation will remind you that your sacrifice has eternal significance.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors: Angel Studios and Olive App. Their support makes these conversations possible and gives you tools to live more intentionally every day. Don't miss this uplifting discussion that will inspire you to see your daily work as a legacy worth investing in.

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