In honor of my book relaunch, I am sharing this special STRENGTH acrostic episode that I recorded in 2023 around the one-year birthday of my first edition of Depth. You are going to learn so much for Evelyn Sherwood!

Have you ever felt the presence of God? Have you ever felt Him close to you? I know for me, I felt the presence of God the most in the middle of my hard seasons: my divorce, the loss of my friend, and my miscarriage. Maybe you can relate.

This week on the podcast, I am so excited to have Evelyn Sherwood. She is a friend of mine who sadly has walked through many hardships. One of the things we talk about today is just how much she felt the presence of God in the middle of this hard season. She actually says this amazing quote (I am going to give you a little sneak peek because it is so good). She says, "The sweetness of His presence far surpassed the pain of my suffering." Evelyn has so much wisdom to share with you.

So, we are going to be going through the acrostic. Today we look at S which stands for Seek God and Invite Him Into the pain. I am so excited for you to hear the wisdom from Evelyn of how she was able to seek God and invite Him into the middle of her pain. She went through an intense 18 month season where there was one storm after another, so you do not want to miss the truth she shares!

Below are the other letters from the STRENGTH acrostic in my Depth book! I will be showing all the interviews over on YouTube- one each week!

Here is the link to Evelyn's YouTube episode: https://youtu.be/aiIr2SdUyoY

• Seek God and Invite Him into the Pain -- Depth Podcast Episode 188
• Tearfully Allow Yourself Time to Grieve and Process the Emotions -- Depth Podcast Episode 189
• Replace your Finite View with God's Infinite Perspective -- Depth Podcast Episode 190
• Embrace God's Character Development in the Midst of the Chaos -- Depth Podcast Episode 191
• Never Lose Sight of God's Grace -- Depth Podcast Episode 193
• Give Praise to God Even as Your Heart Breaks -- Depth Podcast Episode 194
• Trust God is Good When Your Mind is Doubting and You Don't Understand -- Depth Podcast Episode 195
• Honestly Share Your Story and Help Another Hurting Heart -- Depth Podcast Episode 196

Evelyn wrote a post for my Heartbreak to Strength Story Blog Series back in 2021. The title of her post was Finding Strength in the Middle of the Storm, and I cannot wait for you to read her powerful article.

Book Recommendations:

• *Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vreogop (Check out Depth Podcast Episode 219 with Mark about Lament.)
• *Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker (Check out Depth Podcast Episode 215 where I talk more about this amazing book)

Evelyn Sherwood is a trusted soul-care guide, speaker, and blogger who has served in pastoral ministry for thirty-five years. Sherwood serves an active and growing audience through her blog, evelynsherwood.com, and her bi-weekly subscription devotional Hope for the Journey, encouraging her readers to grab hold of hope in the trials by helping them recall God's work in their past. Nothing puts a smile on her face more than sharing about the faithfulness of God with a friend over a steaming cup of cappuccino or iced peach tea. On a summer evening, you might spot Evelyn and her husband, Steve, driving through Indiana farmlands in a canary yellow '47 Ford pickup or enjoying an outdoor movie night in their backyard with their eight grandkids. You can connect with Evelyn on her website, on Instagram, and you can sign up for her weekly devotional.

Check out Evelyn's amazing books:

• *Just Breathe by Evelyn Sherwood
• *Comfort and Joy by Evelyn Sherwood
• *Small Steps Matter: 30 Reminders to Breathe Through Life's Uncertainties by Evelyn Sherwood

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Do you know my favorite chapter in my book, Depth? It is kind of like asking, "Who is your favorite child" to someone who has kids. It is very hard to narrow it down to one chapter. But one of my favorite things to talk about besides trees is my broken pot----my cracked clay pot where God taught me so much about brokenness.

Today, the Depth book is being re-launched! I am so excited that the print copy is available today, November 4th! So, to honor that, I thought I would read this special chapter in my book. God taught me so much that weekend that I broke my clay pot, and I cannot wait to read this chapter to you.

If you are feeling broken, like for me, I went through a divorce. Or life circumstances are beating you down and you feel shattered; this chapter is for you! There is so much truth in this chapter and friend, there is beauty in the brokenness. I know it is hard to see it, but I hope this chapter will give you some hope and encouragement!

For more details about my book launch, head over to my website or click this link directly on Amazon!

Have you heard the exciting news about my book? I am so jazzed to tell you that I am relaunching, Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength. I updated my cover with my new last name, Jodi Snowdon, as well as written an epilogue and added some new free resources to the back of the book.

This week on the podcast to share more about the Depth book, my husband, David, is going to be interviewing me! I am so excited to have him back on the podcast, and I think you are really going to enjoy our conversation. We dive deeper into the STRENGTH acrostic as well as what is in the new, revised and expanded edition. We even get vulnerable about the shame we felt due to divorce. You do not want to miss the heartfelt words spoken or David's cute Scottish accent.

Click Here For Details about the Book Re-Launch

It would mean so much to me if you could help in two ways:

1. Download the ebook and read a chapter or two- If you have already read the book, I recommend checking out the epilogue since it is new. Direct link: Amazon Link to ebook 2. Leave a short review on Amazon. Reviews make a huge difference in helping the book reach more readers—especially those who may need its message most.

More than anything, I'd love your prayers for those who will read it and for the impact it may have on their lives.

Thank you so much for standing with me in this exciting season. Your encouragement and support mean the world!

Love, Jodi

More Episodes on my book, *Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength

• Episode 146 (Behind the Scenes of the book & 3 year anniversary of the podcast- 2022)
• Episode 147 (Reading Chapter 1 of the Depth Book)
• Episode 148 (Going in Depth About Depth)
• Episode 192 (Happy 1st birthday of the book, Depth)

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Has God ever used something in His Creation to show you something about Him? Maybe a character trait? Or maybe something about your relationship with Him?

For me, God has used trees to show me how to grow deeper in my faith. I am excited to be reading a chapter to you from my book today. Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength will be re-launching October 21st for the eBook and November 4th for the print copy.

I am so excited for this relaunch and cannot wait for you to hear how you can help as well as a quick reason why. To listen to all the details, check out this special episode where I read Chapter 11: Growing Deeper Roots from my Depth Book.

It would mean so much to me if you could help in two ways:

1. Download the eBook and read a chapter or two- If you have already read the book, I recommend checking out the epilogue since it is new. 2. Leave a short review on Amazon. Reviews make a huge difference in helping the book reach more readers—especially those who may need its message most.

Here's the link to download the ebook: Amazon Link to ebook

Then click the orange button on Amazon that says: Buy now with 1-click

Depth Podcast Episode links and Book Recommendations to Grow your Roots Deep:

• *Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength by Jodi Snowdon. What if your greatest heartbreak catapults you to your greatest growth? (see below for more podcast episodes about my book)
• *Thrive by Mark Hall (the cover of this book captivated me and began my journey to discover depth!)
• *Detours by Tony Evans (an amazing book about the life of Joseph and how he grew deep roots in his faith through detours)
• Depth Podcast Episode 234: Do You Want To Be Deeply Rooted was recorded just earlier this year and goes into great detail about the books I recommend above about deep roots! I also share how to practically grow your roots deeper in your faith. I highly recommend this episode.

More Episodes on my book, *Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength

• Episode 146 (Behind the Scenes of the book & 3 year anniversary of the podcast- 2022)
• Episode 147 (Reading Chapter 1 of the Depth Book)
• Episode 148 (Going in Depth About Depth)
• Episode 192 (Happy 1st birthday of the book, Depth)

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank yo

How do you want to be remembered? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately, especially considering what happened in our country with the assassination of Charlie Kirk. But also, because I lost my dad recently. In addition to that, many great Christian leaders have passed away in recent months like Dr. James Dobson, John MacArthur, Kay Arthur, and Phil Robertson.

Heaven has never seemed closer in the last couple months, and I have been reflecting on the end of our lives and how do we finish well. This makes me think of a Bible character, Moses. Some think he did not finish well, but I disagree. I am excited to do a Bible Shoes episode on the podcast again and dive deeper into Moses' life and how I believe he finished well.

I reference Lisa Appelo's Instagram account and her words of wisdom on grief. She is a friend who sadly lost her husband and encourages widows. She has lots to share on how public grief can affect private grief. Here is direct link to the post I read in this episode.

Lisa started Hope in Grief on her website which I have contributed to in the past years. I definitely recommend checking it out. Also, she has been a guest on my Depth Podcast twice, so I will share links below so you can listen.

• Depth Podcast Episode 127 with Lisa Appelo. We discussed her book, *Life Can Be Good Again.
• Depth Podcast Episode 12 where she shares God's faithfulness in her grief.

If you missed my introduction of Bible Shoes, I am going to be picking one person in the Bible and I am going to try to put myself in their shoes. I am going to ask myself, what are they thinking? What are they feeling? How does this relate to us in present day? Check out this blog post to explain it!

Other Depth Podcast Episodes: Bible Shoes

• Depth Podcast Episode 161: Bible Shoes on Elijah
• Depth Podcast Episode 166: Bible Shoes on the Samaritan Woman by the Well
• Depth Podcast Episode170: Bible Shoes on Holy Week

Book Recommendations:

• *The Story by Randy Frazee
• *The Heart of the Story by Randy Frazee

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Are you an overthinker? Do you think about something way longer than anyone else would? I know I do. I sit there and ruminate over things that most people would have let go of after just a couple minutes. This is the struggle I have- maybe you have this same struggle.

So I was so excited when I came across this book this summer. It is a brand-new release by Max Lucado called *Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life. After seeing it, I bought this book immediately and read it in one day- it is so good! It is full of some truth and practical advice to help. I am going to share some of my favorite takeaways from his new book as well as from an older book called *Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado. I highly recommend these books!

Book Recommendations:

• *Tame Your Thoughts Book by Max Lucado
• *Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
• *Depth Book by Jodi Snowdon

Other Links to Depth Podcast Episodes and Blog Posts

• Depth Podcast Episode 75: Cindy Bultema talks about Capitol T Truth!
• Seeds vs. Weeds Blog Post: How to Live Intentionally and Grow Seeds Instead of Weeds
• Depth Podcast Episode 147: Reading Chapter 1 of the Depth Book
• Depth Podcast Episode 148: Going in Depth About Depth

For those walking through grief- I highly recommend Depth Podcast Episodes 188-196 where I do one episode for each letter in my STRENGTH Acrostic in my Depth Book! See details below:

• Seek God and Invite Him into the Pain — Depth Podcast Episode 188
• Tearfully Allow Yourself Time to Grieve and Process the Emotions — Depth Podcast Episode 189
• Replace your Finite View with God's Infinite Perspective — Depth Podcast Episode 190
• Embrace God's Character Development in the Midst of the Chaos — Depth Podcast Episode 191
• Never Lose Sight of God's Grace — Depth Podcast Episode 193
• Give Praise to God Even as Your Heart Breaks — Depth Podcast Episode 194
• Trust God is Good When Your Mind is Doubting and You Don't Understand — Depth Podcast Episode 195
• Honestly Share Your Story and Help Another Hurting Heart — Depth Podcast Episode 196

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Are you walking through a lot of changes in your life this year? Would you say you have a lot of transitions?

I would say that for me, for sure! 2025 has been year full of transition, loss and still trying to figure out how to follow God's calling through it all. I am glad to be back on the podcast, I took a long sabbatical in May after my father passed away. This is my first episode back and my husband and I will be sharing what has been going on personally as well with the ministry this past year. We also have some exciting news to share about the Depth book.

I want to be honest and let you know I get emotional in the episode especially near the end. I just want you to know that if you are hurting and walking through hard things, I understand and I hope my words encourage you!

I reference a video my son made for my dad's service and I want to share the YouTube Link with you.

For those walking through grief- I highly recommend Depth Podcast Episodes 188-196 where I do one episode for each letter in my STRENGTH Acrostic in my Depth Book! See details below:

• Seek God and Invite Him into the Pain -- Depth Podcast Episode 188
• Tearfully Allow Yourself Time to Grieve and Process the Emotions -- Depth Podcast Episode 189
• Replace your Finite View with God's Infinite Perspective -- Depth Podcast Episode 190
• Embrace God's Character Development in the Midst of the Chaos -- Depth Podcast Episode 191
• Never Lose Sight of God's Grace -- Depth Podcast Episode 193
• Give Praise to God Even as Your Heart Breaks -- Depth Podcast Episode 194
• Trust God is Good When Your Mind is Doubting and You Don't Understand -- Depth Podcast Episode 195
• Honestly Share Your Story and Help Another Hurting Heart -- Depth Podcast Episode 196

Lastly, Happy 3rd Birthday to the Depth Book! If you want to check out other Special Anniversary/ Birthday Episodes of the Podcast and Book- see below.

• Episode 1 (Welcome and Introduction to the podcast-- 2019)
• Episode 47 (1 year Podcast Anniversary- Special Behind the Scenes Episode-- 2020)
• Episode 100 and 101 (Celebrating 100 episodes Part 1 & Part 2 with clips from my most favorite moments- 2021)
• Episode 146 (Behind the Scenes of the book & 3 year anniversary of the podcast- 2022)
• Episode 147 (Reading Chapter 1 of the Depth Book)
• Episode 148 (Going in Depth About Depth)
• Episode 192 (Happy 1st birthday of the book, Depth)
• Episode 200 (A special episode about God's Faithfulness in my life-- Meet David- 2023)
• Episode 216 (5 year anniversary of the Depth podcast and 2 year birthday of the Depth book)

I have some sad news to share with you today on the podcast.

Sadly, my dad passed away on May 22, 2025.

My dad was such a pivotal part of my family. He was an amazing husband to my mom. He was such a loving father and a supportive and involved grandfather. This loss is deep.

It is interesting because your mom and dad are there when you take your first breath. But it is so heartbreaking to be there when they take their last.

I am going to be taking some time off to grieve the loss of my dad.

I remember when I lost Jeannie back in 2016 and my divorce in 2014, something that really helped me was to read--- read God's Word and read books that pointed me back to God's Word. I need that again this summer.

I need time to input and allow myself time to sit in the pain and grieve—take time to process the hard emotions. I want to thank you in advance for giving me space to do that this summer. I don't know how long it will be, but I know it is my best yes. I believe God is going to use that time, so I can pour back into you when I return.

I cannot wait to see what God wants me to learn in the midst of the pain.

So, I thought today would be very honoring to share one of the episodes where my dad was a guest back in 2020. I know you are going to learn so much from his wisdom!

My dad's episode back in 2020:

With Father's Day just around the corner, I am excited to have my dad, John Brownlee, as a guest on the Depth podcast this week. I asked him to share some of his words of wisdom and best advice as he is a father to 4 girls and a grandfather to 7 grandchildren.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I love that my dad shares some of our funny memories and crazy dinner activities as well as encourages other dads to make their kids a priority. I am so thankful that my dad was an intentional father to me and my sisters.

I recommend listening to this episode alongside your spouse or if you are a single mom like me, there are still lots parenting nuggets in this episode for you as well! I believe parenting is the most rewarding and challenging job all at the same time, so I hope this episode encourages you along your parenting journey!

I promise you do not want to miss this episode.

My dad was on the podcast again in December 2024- so special to have him on a second time. Check out Depth Podcast Episode 224: Simplify and Live with Intention!

Book Recommendations:

• *The New Strong Willed Child by James Dobson
• *The New Dare to Discipline by James Dobson
• *Bringing up Boys by James Dobson
• *Bringing up Girls by James Dobson

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Do you want to be deeply rooted? Do you want to be like a tree with deep roots that go deep in your faith? Do you want depth? Oh friend---This is something I am so passionate about. It is the title of my podcast and it is the title of my book. So I thought today I would share with you more about being deeply rooted, about having depth, and share the books along the way that I learned so much from.

Depth Podcast Episode links and Book Recommendations to Grow your Roots Deep:

• *Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength by Jodi Snowdon. What if your greatest heartbreak catapults you to your greatest growth? (see below for more podcast episodes about my book)
• Depth Podcast Episode 215: I share about Jennifer Tucker's book, *Breath as Prayer. She has a new book called *Present in Prayer where she shares all about growing roots!
• *Thrive by Mark Hall (the cover of this book captivated me and began my journey to discover depth!)
• *Detours by Tony Evans (an amazing book about the life of Joseph and how he grew deep roots in his faith through detours)
• Depth Podcast Episode 114: I talk with Banning Liebscher about his book, *Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Wants to Develop You. He says that God wants to grow you on the inside before he ever grows you on the outside. This hidden growth is so important.
• Depth Podcast Episode 115: I share practically how to grow deeper roots!
• Depth Podcast Episode 210 with Angie Baughman on the 5 Step Bible Study Method.

More Episodes on my book, *Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength

• Episode 146 (Behind the Scenes of the book & 3 year anniversary of the podcast- 2022)
• Episode 147 (Reading Chapter 1 of the Depth Book)
• Episode 148 (Going in Depth About Depth)
• Episode 192 (Happy 1st birthday of the book, Depth)

For those walking through grief- I highly recommend Episodes 188-196 where I do one episode for each letter in my STRENGTH Acrostic in my book! See details below:

• Seek God and Invite Him into the Pain -- Depth Podcast Episode 188
• Tearfully Allow Yourself Time to Grieve and Process the Emotions -- Depth Podcast Episode 189
• Replace your Finite View with God's Infinite Perspective -- Depth Podcast Episode 190
• Embrace God's Character Development in the Midst of the Chaos -- Depth Podcast Episode 191
• Never Lose Sight of God's Grace -- Depth Podcast Episode 193
• Give Praise to God Even as Your Heart Breaks -- Depth Podcast Episode 194
• Trust God is Good When Your Mind is Doubting and You Don't Understand -- Depth Podcast Episode 195
• Honestly Share Your Story and Help Another Hurting Heart -- Depth Podcast Episode 196

Other episodes on trees and growing deep roots that I did not share about in the episode:

• Depth Podcast Episode 80 with Jennifer Dukes Lee on her book, *Growing Slow. We talk about growing through the seasons.
• Depth Podcast Episode 112: I talk with Dr. Matthew Sleeth about his book, *Reforesting Faith. The sub-title is "What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and His Love for Us."
• Depth Podcast Episode 212: I share about Lara Casey's book, *Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Have you ever been frustrated with not getting a prayer answered in the timing you hoped? Maybe you wish God would do it quicker? Honestly, I know I have struggled with God's timing on certain things in my life, so I am excited for this episode with my friend, Jackie and her son, Alex.

It is one of my special mom stories for the month of May. They are both going to share how God reunited them many years after Jackie gave up her son for adoption. What I love about this story is you see God's fingerprints and God's timing all throughout the episode. I know you will be encouraged, and I hope that if you are struggling with God's timing that this story will also give you hope to trust and wait on God's perfect timing.

Link to Jackie's Heartbreak to Strength Story

I love to highlight Special Mom Stories in the month of May. For some of us, our mothering journey has had it challenges- either getting pregnant, keeping the pregnancy, or struggles after, so I love to give voice to these difficult times. These episodes are filled with honesty and vulnerability as well as practical advice and tips of how we can come alongside and help another mom walking down the same hard road. Check out the following episodes on the Depth Podcasts:

• Episode 31 (Infertility)
• Episode 32 (Adoption)
• Episode 33 (Foster to Adopt)
• Episode 34 (Step-mom & Special Aunt Role)
• Episode 81 (Infertility- special episode with Holley Gerth)
• Episode 82 (loss of a child, foster to adopt)
• Episode 83 (Mothering a Child with Down-Syndrome)
• Episode 84 (Motherhood Miracle)
• Episode 130 (Infertility & Miscarriage)
• Episode 131 (Infant Loss & Step-mom)
• Episode 132 (Mothering a Child with Autism and Foster to Adopt)
• Episode 133 (International Adoption)
• Episode 134 (Mothering a Child with a Disability).
• Episode 175 (Infertility & Miscarriage)
• Episode 176 (Mothering a Child with a rare genetic disorder)

Hope these episodes will encourage you that you are not alone on your mothering journey!

Jackie Wheeler is a child of God who loves her family deeply. She has been married to her husband, Patrick for 25 years. Jackie is a boy mom with two sons from her marriage and one she was reunited with in 2021, who also gave her the special title of grandma. She has a healthy obsession with purple, chocolate, coffee, fashion and all things Parisian. When she is not spending time with family she is busy with her image consulting business, JackieStyle Image and Branding Agency, where she helps women enhance their style, image, and brand. You can connect with Jackie on Instagram or her website.