In this episode, we sit down with Miss Kentucky and former Southland employee, Alex Franke, as she shares what has helped her stay faithful in and steward well the role she's been given. She also shares parts of her own faith journey, including her thoughts on what makes this season particularly tough for women in their 20s.

In this episode, we sit down with professional counselor Michelle Harrison (PhD). Michelle spent five years as a therapist for Refuge for Women and recently opened her own practice, Grace to Glory, where she continues to counsel women through their darkest moments. Not only does Michelle give us some practical wisdom when it comes to navigating seasons of suffering, but she also shares her expertise on the topics of addiction and trauma.

You can learn more about Michelle's field of work at https://www.gracetoglorycounseling.org/. 

In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Easley, a clinically trained trauma therapist and current life coach for Christian women. Filled to the brim with practical wisdom, Charlotte offers us her unique perspective on what it looks like to thrive and not just survive in seasons of suffering, including the one we're in.

If you want to learn more about Charlotte and her field of work, you can visit her website at www.charlotteeasley.com.

In this episode, we sit down with Southland native, Taryn Chula, as she shares her personal experience with finding faith in hard times. Not only will you hear a powerful story of God's redemption, but you'll learn what it looks like to choose healing and forgiveness in the midst of deep heartache.

Defined is back for season three and putting our focus on what it looks like to have faith in hard times. In this opening episode, you'll hear our heart behind the theme for this season and get a preview of what's to come.

Moving into our third season, we are hoping to move away from the more topical approach to instead address what it looks like to live out our faith day-to-day. Considering our current cultural climate and its ripple effects, there is a tone of collective struggle at the moment, and the Church is hungry to know what faith that can withstand those trials looks like. In a time where many are hitting a wall, we want to offer a podcast season that addresses these crises in a real way, and shows women what it looks like to come out of seasons of suffering stronger on the other side.

We'll unpack some of the main themes that surfaced throughout this season of Defined and identify ways to serve and get connected with other women in this community.

1) What have been your major takeaways from this season?

2) What have you been most challenged by in this season?

3) Do you sense any invitations from the Lord to change or deepen your community?

4) Reflecting on the gifts and talents the Lord has given you, what is one way you can begin (or continue) serving the women in our community?

5) Wrap up your time together by praying over each other and the women in our church community—ask the Lord to continue to root us in His truth, use us for His Kingdom, and help us discern what He is calling us to next.

Resources:
If you are interested in serving in our middle or high school ministry, please contact Kate Grounds at [email protected]

If you are interested in getting involved in a Defined. small group, a freedom group, or any other small group at Southland please contact Spencer Hahn at [email protected]

If you are interested in volunteering at Natalie's Sisters please contact them at [email protected]. If you are interested in volunteering at Refuge for Women please visit their website at refugeforwomen.org

Episode 8: Work & Ministry
Women face a unique pressure in our work worlds to balance perfectly, either through achieving or opting out. We want to unpack how women can work and lead from a Kingdom perspective. (Featuring Diane Perez)

Questions:
1) What is the “work” God has called you to in this season? How can you use it to glorify him?
2) If you work in a non-Christian environment, how can you be a representation of Jesus to your non-Christian co-workers?
3) Have you ever felt the pressure as a woman to balance work, relationships, family, etc.? If so, how have you found balance and peace in the midst of those things?
4) Where is the Lord inviting you to walk away from cultural pressure?

With or without kids, in any season of life, women have the opportunity to be spiritual mothers to communities and raise up younger women of God.

Part two of our conversation with Amy Haga.

Questions:
1) Are there women in your life God has put on your heart to pour into?
2) If you’ve mentored someone or been mentored by someone before, how did you see God at work in that relationship?
3) How can you learn from women in other seasons of life?

Episode 7: Mothering
With or without kids, in any season of life, women have the opportunity to be spiritual mothers to communities and raise up younger women of God. (Featuring Amy Haga)

Questions:
1) What stood out to you from this podcast episode?
2) Who in your life has most impacted you view of motherhood?
3) How does motherhood uniquely reflect the heart of God?
4) If you are a mom, how do you invite the Lord into your parenting? What has been the biggest challenge for you in this season of parenting?
5) What can you learn from Biblical mothers? Pick one to read and study through and pray about what the Lord has to teach you (suggested character studies: Mary, Naomi, Hannah, Elizabeth).

Episode 6: Marriage
Marriage is intended to be an image of Christ’s love for his people; we’ll unpack women’s role in this partnership and what Biblical marriage looks like.

Questions:
1) Who in your life has had the biggest impact on the way you view marriage and the role/expectations of a wife?
2) How should a Christian marriage look different than a non-Christian marriage? How has our culture’s view of marriage damaged/altered the way we as Christians view marriage?
3) Practically speaking, what might it look like to have Jesus at the center of a marriage?
4) Read Philippians 2:5-8 (this passage reminds us that Jesus willingly submitting his life to God through his death on the cross). Read Ephesians 5:22-25. When you hear the word “submission” what comes to mind? What does it look like to submit to God? What might healthy submission in a marriage practically look like?
5) If you are married, what areas can you more deeply invite the Lord into your marriage?
6) If you are not married, how can you better support and celebrate your married friends?