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.

Have you ever walked with silent shame? Maybe there is something you have gone through? Maybe there is something you experienced? Or maybe there has been something done to you, and you thought to yourself, I don’t want anyone to know this. But in your mind, these words just keep playing, If they only knew? If this describes you, I have hope for you today!

I am so excited to have my friend, Teresa Whiting on the podcast as we talk about her bible study, *Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken.  In this conversation, we talk about shame and how it refused to loosen the grip on her life. But that is not the end of her story! I am so thankful that with God’s grace she was able to overcome this shame and break free from it. She is going to share it on this episode, and you are going to learn so much from Teresa.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Teresa's Bible Study: *Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodisnowdon.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/1j2jye3/graced-bible-study-giveaway

Important Links:

• Find Hope Here Podcast Ep. 44: Loved being a guest on Teresa’s podcast! I shared about my book, *Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength.
• Depth Podcast Episode 219: Important episode on lament! We talk about Mark Vroegop's book: *Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy
• Link to Teresa’s Heartbreak to Strength Story: God's Heart is to Rescue, Redeem, and Restore You

Free Resources:

• Sample of Graced: Receive the introduction and chapter one of Graced for FREE.

Book Recommendations:

• *Your Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk
• *Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb
• *When Life and Beliefs Collide by Carolyn Custis James

Teresa Whiting is an author, national speaker, and host of the Find Hope Here podcast, passionate about helping women encounter the redemptive work of Jesus in the midst of their brokenness. With over 30 years of ministry experience and training in trauma-informed life coaching, Teresa speaks from both Scripture and her own story as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Her Bible study, Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken, reflects the restoration she’s found through Jesus and the stories of women like Tamar, Rahab, and the Samaritan woman. Teresa and her husband, Greg, live in sunny Florida, where you’ll often find her walking the beach or spending time with her family—untethered from technology. Teresa is not active on social media, but she personally replies to every email. Connect with her at: [email protected]

If you are interested in Coaching with Teresa, you can click this link: Trauma-Informed Biblical Life Coaching

*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 met someone and just be in awe of their faith? They have walked through many hard circumstances, but they come out on the other side stronger in their faith than ever before. 

I am so excited for you to hear from Diane Herman. She is one of the contributors to the *Mothers Like Me book by Angie Green that we talked about last time on the podcast. Her story is so powerful. She has walked through lots of loss and I am going to let her share her story. But what I think is so amazing is how God has redeemed it in such a beautiful way. She is going to tell you about her ministry and her non-profit. I think you are going to learn so much from Diane, especially when God says no to your prayer

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Angie’s new book: *Mothers Like Me. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodisnowdon.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/mpj6vqm/mothers-like-me-book-giveaway-2

Other important Links:

• Link to Depth Podcast Episode 230: I talk with Angie Green and Linda Stirling about the *Mothers Like Me book.
•  
• Link to Depth Podcast Episode 194: Angie’s first episode on my podcast where we discuss her book, *A Mother Like Me She was a part of my STRENGTH acrostic series and we highlight the letter G: Give God Praise Even As Your Heart Breaks.
•  
• Link for Depth Podcast Episode 53: My first interview with Kathe Wunnenberg about her book, *Grieving the Child I Never Knew and *Hopelifter back in 2000. I love how she encourages other women.
•  
• Link for Depth Podcast Episode 145: Check out my second interview with Kathe Wunnenberg, God's Connections are Powerful and Timing is Perfect. Love the special story of how Kathe became my mentor!
•  
• Link for Depth Podcast Episode 198: My interview with Karen Hacker, another contributor to Angie’s new book. We highlight her powerful story of hope and loss. and how God used Romans 8:28 in her life.

Book Recommendation: *Holding onto Hope by Nancy Guthrie

Diane Herman’s family started the non-profit organization called House of Hope in Northern Colorado in 2009. Her family took the project to Guatemala after a short term mission trip in 2011. The poverty, desperation and despair had a huge impact on their family. They were familiar with loss, suffering and heartbreak. Their middle daughter Hope was 9 when she was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, cancer of the bone. She suffered unbelievably in her battle. Through it, she had a faith that never wavered. She trusted the will of God, and that He was in control. After fighting for 18 months, she went home to live with her Savior.

A year later, House of Hope was born. When we saw the many children who were alone and suffering in Guatemala, it impacted our family in a way only God can orchestrate. He fulfilled His promise trading beauty for ashes. Hope’s legacy lives on as her life serves as the passion behind our ministry. We have been able to serve the people of Guatemala and point them to Christ, the source of our love and strength. To learn more, check out their website: houseofhope.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!

Has someone ever walked with you through a hard time? Maybe they have experienced the exact same thing or something similar. It gives you peace to know you are not alone. It is also encouraging to have a friend that you can share your thoughts and feelings with, and you know will understand.

I am excited about the book we are highlighting this week. My friend, Angie Green gathered a group of women together to do a collaboration book called *Mothers Like Me: Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love in Loss. I am one of the stories in the book and I am excited to highlight a couple more this week and next week on the podcast. Angie is going to share first about her vision for the book. She has been a guest back on my podcast before where she shared her first book, *A Mother Like Me.

Love having her back to share her new book and it is beautiful to hear all the stories--- they are stories of loss, but more importantly, they are stories of hope and faith. It is one of the common threads you are going to see—how God redeemed their pain and brought purpose to their pain. So many ministries started and so many ways to bring hope to another hurting heart! I think you are going to be so encouraged!

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Angie’s new book: *Mothers Like Me. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodisnowdon.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/19w0eym/mothers-like-me-book-giveaway

Other important Links:

• Link to Depth Podcast Episode 194: Angie’s first episode on my podcast where we discuss her book, *A Mother Like Me She was a part of my STRENGTH acrostic series and we highlight the letter G: Give God Praise Even As Your Heart Breaks.
•  
• Link for Depth Podcast Episode 53: My first interview with Kathe Wunnenberg about her book, *Grieving the Child I Never Knew and *Hopelifter back in 2000. I love how she encourages other women.
•  
• Link for Depth Podcast Episode 145: Check out my second interview with Kathe Wunnenberg, God's Connections are Powerful and Timing is Perfect. Love the special story of how Kathe became my mentor!
•  
• Link for Depth Podcast Episode 198: My interview with Karen Hacker, another contributor to Angie’s new book. We highlight her powerful story of hope and loss. and how God used Romans 8:28 in her life.

Angie Green has been writing for business, education and ministry for decades. She is a published songwriter, vocalist and speaker. In 2023 her first book, "Little Lucy Ladybug Where Are My Spots?" was published as well as a her non-fiction, *A Mother Like Me, which has catapulted her into the world of storytelling. Her newest book, *Mothers Like Me, is an anthology of grace written by several moms who have suffered the loss of a child or children are coming soon. Angie is enjoying retirement with her husband in Colorado and she hopes to continue writing children's songs, stories and other non-fiction and fiction books.

*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!

What truth do you need God to speak to your heart today? Is it that you are His Beloved? Is it that you were created for a purpose? Or is it God is with you—He will never leave you, nor forsake you.

I am so excited to have Holley Gerth back on the podcast and we are going to talk about her new devotional, *365 Truths For Every Woman’s Heart: A Daily Devotional of Encouragement and Prayer. This is what I am using right now in my quiet time and this book is speaking to me in such powerful ways. These truths are just what I need to hear—these reminders of what God is speaking to my heart. I know you are going to learn so much from Holley.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Holley’s book: *365 Truths For Every Woman’s Heart. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodisnowdon.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/1k5l791/365-truths-for-every-womans-heart-devotional-giveaway

It is fun to have Holley back on the Podcast for a third time! If you missed my first conversation with Holley about her book, *The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be You, please check out Depth Podcast Episode 57.  Holley shares about self-awareness and growth, knowing our struggles and strengths.

Her second time on the Depth podcast, she was one of my special mom stories in May. Her infertility journey and God’s answer to her prayers are so powerful- you definitely want to check out Depth Podcast Episode 81.

Book Recommendations:

Holley Gerth loves humans, words, and good coffee. She's a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, master life coach, and cohost of the More than Small Talk podcast. Her background also includes being a counselor and cofounding one of the first online communities for Christian women. Holley is passionate about helping people embrace who they are and become all they're created to be. You can connect with her and find more resources at HolleyGerth.com.

*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!

What does courage look like for you? Is it facing one of your biggest fears? Is it being vulnerable, honest, and open and sharing that one thing you don’t want to tell anyone else? Or is it a big heroic act?

I am so excited to have Riley Kehoe on the podcast this week. She wrote a book called *Three Seconds of Courage: How Small Acts of Bravery Lead to Big Change. She is going to share her story about how her family survived the 2004 tsunami that happened in Thailand. She is also going to share more about how she has overcome her fears. You do not want to miss what she has to say. This episode is packed full of wisdom and truth.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Riley’s new book: *Three Seconds of Courage. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodisnowdon.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/1dygn91/three-seconds-of-courage-book

Book Recommendations:

• *Life of the Beloved by Henry Nouwen
• *Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero
• *Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Riley Kehoe is a speaker, writer, and influencer. Born in London and raised in New Zealand, Riley earned a master's degree in global leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary as the youngest student accepted into the program. A sought-after speaker, active blogger, and up-and-coming influencer, Riley has been featured on a TEDx Talk, interviewed by William Shatner for The History Channel, and published in several Christian outlets. She and her husband recently purchased a farm in Tennessee.

*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!

Is God asking you to be bold in your faith? Maybe He wants you to tell a coworker about Jesus. Maybe He has put someone on your heart that He wants you to pray for. Or perhaps He is asking you to go on a mission’s trip.

I am so excited for my guest this week! I have the pleasure of having my son, Conor Rosser, on the podcast. He recently went on a mission’s trip with his church, and I cannot wait for you to hear how God grew his faith.  He kept using the word, Bold—it kept coming up in our conversation and I love that sometimes God asks us to step out in bold faith for Him. I am so proud of my son, and I know you will be encouraged by his words.

Other important Links:

Check out Depth Podcast Episode 26 where I talk with both my sons about family and feelings during the Covid pandemic.

Check out my blog post on the word, Bold—I love this verse in Acts where it talks about their boldness because they had spent time with Jesus. (See two different translations below).

“The council members were astonished as they witnessed the bold courage of Peter and John, especially when they discovered that they were just ordinary men who had never had religious training. Then they began to understand the effect Jesus had on them simply by spending time with him.“ Acts 4:13 The Passion Translation

 “When the Council saw the boldness of Peter and John and could see that they were obviously uneducated non-professionals, they were amazed and realized what being with Jesus had done for them!” Acts 4:13 Living Bible

Do you need a breakthrough? Maybe you have been praying for someone in your life and it is a relational breakthrough. Maybe you have been praying for healing and you need a breakthrough in your health. Maybe it has to do with a job or a God-sized dream on your heart.

Whatever it is, I am so excited because this week on the podcast I talk with Chuck Tate about his new book: Nine Words From Jesus. He is going to share a story in the Bible where Jesus says nine words to this blind man. He ends up performing a miracle and giving this man his sight. These 9 words are powerful! Now, I don't want to give them away-- instead, I want you to hear the wisdom from Chuck on this week's episode.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Chuck’s new book: *Nine Words From Jesus. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodisnowdon.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/1v98d6m/nine-words-from-jesus

Other important Links:

• Link to Depth Podcast Episode 35: Chuck’s first episode on my podcast where we highlight his book, *41 Will Come.
• Link for Depth Podcast Episode 164 where I share about my two favorite prayer books by Mark Batterson.

Book Recommendations:

• *Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
• *The Last Arrow by Erwin McManus

Chuck E. Tate is an award-winning author, the founder and senior pastor of RockChurch, and a host of the acclaimed Revival Town Podcast. A popular media guest and contributor, he hosts a weekly LIVE Bible study on TikTok. Learn more at ChuckETate.com.

*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!