Depth Podcast

Have you ever used the words: And Yet?  Maybe you’ve said, “God, things are really hard, And Yet, I feel closer to you than ever before.”

Katy Epling used these words “And Yet” on the podcast this week as she shared her special mom story, and it really touched my heart. I love that Katy honestly shares the ups and downs of parenting a child with special needs. According to Katy, the joys far outweigh the struggles. Also, Katy gives us practical ways we can come alongside and help another family as well as some hurtful words to avoid. You do not want to miss all the wisdom she shares with us!

Lastly, Katy and I met through Hope Writers and her Life on Purpose Summit. She even has a book called Life on Purpose. She loves to share with others that God created them on purpose for a purpose!”  I cannot wait for you to hear what birthed this truth that God created each one of us exactly as we are. To listen, click the link in the bio.

In fact, I am so excited for someone to win a signed copy of Katy’s book: *Life on Purpose. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/life-on-purpose-book-giveaway/

Book Recommendations:

• *Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
• *A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman
• *Beartown by Fredrik Backman
• *Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Katy Epling is a writer and speaker in northeast Ohio. The author of *Life on Purpose: 30 Days of Listening to the One Who Calls You, Katy loves to encourage women to root their identity in Christ. Her mission is to live her everyday life on purpose, for a purpose—and to help everyone she encounters to do the same. Her writing has been featured on sites such as The Huffington Post, Today Parents, The Mighty, and Relevant Magazine. Katy also has a short ebook devo written for parents of kiddos with special needs. It's called You are Not Messing This Up, and it's available here.

Katy and her husband Jon have three beautiful children, who provide her with never-ending material, both dramatic and comedic. When she isn’t writing or speaking, she can be found packing lunches, folding laundry, and making dinner. (And on rare occasions, sipping a chai latte with a friend.) You can find her online at katyepling.com, on Facebook, and on Instagram.

I am so excited to announce that Hope Writers is opening their doors again. If you have a message to share, or a book on your heart, I highly recommend joining the Hope Writers Community. Here are some resources to check out:

Click here to check out 10 questions to ask yourself before you write a book.

Click here to discover where you are on the 6 stage writing path.

If you are interested in joining, click here.

Also, if you have any questions about Hope Writers, please let me know. I am happy to answer them.

*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 walked through difficult circumstances and found that it really grew your faith? Not only did it grow your faith, but it grew your trust and dependence on God?

I am excited to introduce my second special mom story. Jennifer Perez shares her foster to adopt story and walking through the years of infertility. She also vulnerably tells her miraculous pregnancy story which sadly did not end as she hoped. But God used it to birth her ministry, to help and encourage other moms. Through all these hard circumstances, her faith deepened in ways she never knew possible. I cannot wait for you to hear the wisdom she shares on the podcast.

Jennifer also wrote a devotional called She Laughs: A 40-Day Journey to a Heart Filled with Joy and Peace.  Based on the verse in Proverbs 31:25, this woman “is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Jennifer explains that because this woman has a confidence in her God, she is not consumed by stress and worry. It is a great devotional.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Jennifer’s devotional: *She Laughs. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link. https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/she-laughs-devotional-giveaway/

Book Recommendations:

• *Radical by David Platt
• *Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
• *Dancing Upon Barren Land by Lesli A Westfall
• *Grieving the Child I Never Knew by Kathe Wunnenberg

Jennifer Perez is passionate about encouraging women in their faith and pointing them to the hope of Jesus through her writing and speaking. She recently released a 40-day interactive devotional called *She Laughs: A 40-Day Journey to a Heart Filled with Joy and Peace, designed to help women engage with God's Word as they combat stress, anxiety, and worry. With raw honesty and occasionally some humor, she writes devotionals and shares encouraging videos on her social media platforms and blogs regularly at http://www.theencouragingmomblog.com. She lives in Houston, TX with her husband Mace and 2 children and daily misses her baby in Heaven. You can find her on Facebook @theencouragingmomblog and on Instagram @theencouragingmom.

*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!

This week, I am excited to have Holley Gerth back on the Depth Podcast. She is going to share her infertility story as well as how she met her daughter. I promise you that you do not want to miss this special mom story; I love how God orchestrated all of it!

I know Mother’s Day can be hard for those who desire to become a mom and this dream has not come true. So, Holley and I also talk about how we can come along side and help someone walking this hard road of infertility. I love her helpful words to say as well as her beautiful advice to encourage another hurting heart.

If you are walking this hard path of infertility, let me first say, I am so sorry. I believe Holley’s story will encourage you and remind you that you are not alone.  I pray our conversation offers you hope in the middle of your unexpected storm. 

Last year, Saddleback Church hosted a gathering for grieving women a couple nights before Mother’s Day called the Bella Donne, which means beautiful women in Italian. I have attached the link so you can listen. I pray this encourages you especially if your heart is hurting this Mother’s Day. https://saddleback.com/watch/webcast/belle-donne/belle-donne-2020

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Holley’s book: *You're Going To Be Okay. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/youre-going-to-be-okay-book/

It is fun to have Holley back on the Podcast! If you missed my first conversation with Holley about her book, *The Powerful Purpose of Introverts, please check out Episode 57 on the Depth podcast.  I also love what she shares about being an enneagram 1 and how to combat our inner critics.  

Book Recommendation:

• *You're Going To Be Okay by Holley Gerth

Holley Gerth loves humans, words, and good coffee. She’s a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, life coach, and counselor with a Master of Science degree in Mental Health. Holley also cofounded the groundbreaking online community (in)courage, which had almost one million page views in its first six months, and cohosts the More Than Small Talk podcast. Her newest release is The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be You. Find out more and connect with Holley at holleygerth.com or on Instagram at @holleygerth

*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 feel pressure to grow? Grow fast? Grow quick? Do you look at your life and think I should be farther along by now? I should have accomplished more of my goals.  I know I struggle with this- maybe you do too.

I am so excited to have Jennifer Dukes Lee back on the podcast to discuss her new book, *Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-Hurrying Your Heart From An Accidental Farm Girl.  Jennifer divided the book into the four seasons and what happens on a farm: Spring Planting, Summer Growth, Autumn Harvest and Winter Rest. On the podcast, we will talk about each one and how just like these fields, God is growing us. Jennifer says, “God is planting seeds within you- seeds which will bear internal fruit with eternal value.” There are so many nuggets of truth in this episode; I had multiple favorite parts.  

Friend, I cannot wait for you to hear the wisdom Jennifer shares from her book.  

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Jennifer’s book: *Growing Slow. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/growing-slow-book-giveaway/

It is fun to have Jennifer back on the Podcast! If you missed my first conversation with Jennifer about her book, *It's All Under Control, please check out Episode 3 on the Depth podcast.  I love what she says, “We surrender the outcomes, not the effort.”  You can also check out her other two books on Amazon: *Happiness Dare and *Love Idol.

Lastly, to join my Depth Podcast Community Group, click on https://www.facebook.com/groups/depthpodcast

Book Recommendation:

• *Dirt by Mary Marantz

Jennifer Dukes Lee lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. She writes books, loves queso, and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn't believe in Jesus; now he's her CEO. Find Jennifer at JenniferDukesLee.com and on Instagram at @JenniferDukesLee.

*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 a God Chaser? Are you teaching your kids to be God chasers? Like David in the Bible, do you want your children to be a man or woman after God’s own heart? 

This week, I talk with Christie Thomas about her new book,*The Mother and Son Prayer Journal. I love that she wrote this devotional for moms and sons to do together. Christie says, “As your son’s mom, you have more influence on his faith than anyone else in his life.” My friends with daughters, the same is true for you. Christie encourages us to be intentional with this time with our children and I love the great questions in her book that help foster deeper discussion with our kids as they become God chasers, my favorite part of her book. I promise you do not want to miss the wisdom she shares! 

We also talk about Christie’s website: Little Shoots, Deep Roots. I love that she is encouraging and equipping parents to nurture deep roots in their family. Friends, you know how much I love talking about depth and deep roots! Christie also wrote two amazing children’s books called *Quinn's Promise Rock and *Quinn Says Goodbye. I just ordered Quinn Says Goodbye and loved the beautiful illustrations and important message that God is always with you even when hard things happen.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of one of Christie’s book: *The Mother and Son Prayer Journal, *Quinn's Promise Rock, and *Quinn Says Goodbye. This week, the book giveaway is just a little different because the winner gets to choose which one of Christie’s three books that they would like to win!  All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: 

https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/the-mother-son-prayer-journal-giveaway/

Book Recommendation:

• *Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas

Christie Thomas was the Director of Children’s Ministries for over 10 years, until she retired so she could homeschool her three boys and write books. She is the author of Quinn's Promise Rock, Quinn Says Goodbye, and The Mother and Son Prayer Journal. 

*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!

How do you view church? Do you go to church to check off a box or because it is something you have always done? Or do you go to church because you know the God of the Universe loves you dearly and has saved you?

I am so excited to talk with Holly Christine Hayes this week about her book, *From Basement to Sanctuary. Holly has a powerful testimony and I love that she uses the metaphor of a church building architecture and compares it to her personal story of how she moved up from the basement attending a recovery group to the sanctuary sharing her testimony from the stage. Honestly, my favorite part is how God revealed His grace to her three different times through John 8 as well as what she learned about pew dwellers vs. basement dwellers. This was so eye-opening to me and has really impacted how I view church. I promise you do not want to miss the wisdom she shares!  

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Holly’s book: *From Basement to Sanctuary. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link. https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/from-basement-to-sanctuary-book-giveaway/

Book Recommendations:

• *The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
• *The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller

Holly Christine Hayes is Founder + CEO of Sanctuary Project, a survivor-run nonprofit social enterprise employing and empowering women who’ve survived lives of trafficking, violence, and addiction in Austin, TX. Holly was rescued out of a life of trauma more than nineteen years ago and knows the path to recovery can be long and rocky. An award-winning author of the book *From Basement to Sanctuary, Holly is passionate about sharing her vulnerable journey of healing and finding hope in Christ. She speaks in jails, churches, recovery communities and conferences all over the globe about transformation from trauma and the Redeemer who can lift any life from the pit. You can connect with Holly at https://www.hollychristinehayes.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!

If God asked you to take a leap of faith, would you say yes? Would you open your hands and have a willing heart to whatever He is asking you to do?

I am so excited to have Vivian Mabuni on the podcast and we are discussing her book, *Open Hands Willing Heart. I love that Vivian paired open hands with a willing heart. Both are needed to fully surrender and say yes to God. This week, we dive deeper into what it looks like to have a willing heart and I cannot wait for you to hear what Vivian shares about deep roots!  Also, we talk about have a willing heart to move towards others with different backgrounds and experiences. As an Asian American, Vivian will share with us about building bridges instead of putting up walls. Honestly, I love the wisdom and light she sheds on this important subject.

On a fun note: I love sharing how Vivian and I met. Even though she just lives miles away from me in Orange County, CA, we actually met in Rwanda in 2019. Vivian was on a missions trip for If Gathering and I was on a missions trip with my son for Saddleback Church. I love God’s providence.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Vivian’s book: *Open Hands Willing Heart All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/open-hands-willing-heart-book-giveaway/

Book Recommendations:

• *The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
• *Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes by Brandon J. O'Brien and E. Randolph Richards
• *Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
• *Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Vivian Mabuni is a national speaker and author, bible teacher and podcast host. Her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, SheReadsTruth, Our Daily Bread, and Propel Sophia. She has been a keynote speaker at conferences, universities and churches across the country including IF:Gathering, QCommons, and Biola University. With 32 years serving on staff with Cru, Viv loves teaching about the Bible and practical application to ministry and life and serves on the Board of Trustees at Denver Seminary. Author of Warrior in Pink and Open Hands Willing Heart and host of the podcast for AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders) leaders Someday is Here, Viv loves drinking coffee with her husband of 29 years, Darrin, and marveling at their three young adult kids.

*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!

When you read your Bible, do you sometimes find it is hard to understand? What if someone could come along and help you understand it better? What if they could help you find JOY in reading the Bible?

I am so excited to have Jenny Howell, Heather Erickson, and Sarah West, the founders of the Chara Project on the podcast this week. Chara means JOY in Greek and I love that the Chara Project, a non-profit organization helps ALL women find JOY in the Bible. I cannot wait for you to learn their acronym for CHARA, a wonderful tool to help us dive deeper into God’s Word. The Chara Project also models how to love outside their lines as they write and lead Bible studies for interfaith communities.

Since it is the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, I cannot wait for you to hear more about their Bible Study called The Upper Room: The Final Teachings of Christ. This study dives deeper into the final words of wisdom Jesus shares before going to the cross. What perfect timing with Easter around the corner; you can find this bible study free on their website.

I promise you do not want to miss this episode and the amazing truth shared by the Chara Project!

Also, I am so excited to announce we are giving away an ESV Women’s Study Bible this week on the Podcast!  The Chara Project loves getting Bibles into people’s hands! All the details of the Bible giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link. https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/esv-womens-study-bible-giveaway/

Book Recommendations:

• *In His Steps (Novel) by Charles Sheldon
• *Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa TerKeurst
• *That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs
• *Dream Big by Bob Goff
• *The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman
• *Flooded by Nicki Koziarz

The Chara Project launched for one main reason: they saw a deepening hunger from women to understand the Bible! They have a passion for sharing Biblical joy through writing and teaching. And that’s what you can come to expect from The Chara Project.  They are for ALL women whether you have been in Bible study your whole life, or if this is your first week ever.  To connect with the Chara Project, go to https://www.thecharaproject.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!

Has someone ever said a hurtful word to you that now you wear as a nametag? Maybe it has become your identity. Or maybe you walked through a hard season and now that defines you. 

This week, Cindy Bultema shares her powerful testimony of how God has freed her from these labels and helped her find her true identity! This inspired her to write this amazing A to Z identity list that I cannot wait to read over you today on the podcast.  The list includes Bible Verses for each word to remind us who God says we are. These words also help us remember the Truth, the capital T Truth!  Honestly, learning the difference between what is true and the Truth was my favorite part of the episode.

Cindy is also the Executive Director of GEMS, a ministry to remind girls the capital T Truth! I cannot wait to highlight more about this amazing non-profit that is impacting so many girls worldwide as well as Cindy’s book, *Live Full Walk Free: A Journey through 1 Corinthians, Set Apart in a Sin-Soaked World. There is so much goodness in this episode; I recommend you have a pen and paper to catch all of it! I promise you do not want to miss the Truth that Cindy shares!

So excited for you to download a copy of the A to Z Identity List. There is a fun-colored version for girls, so I printed it in color for my nieces. But I printed it in black and white for my sons!  Important truth for both boys and girls!

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Cindy’s book: *Live Full Walk Free. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/live-full-walk-free-book-giveaway/

Book Recommendation:

• *Breaking Free by Beth Moore

Cindy Bultema has a powerful testimony of overcoming loss and addiction. Once a young mom who suffered from years of addiction; an eating disorder and a deadly overdose, she now leads thousands of young girls into a loving relationship with Jesus as the Executive Director of GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior), a non-profit ministry impacting the lives of girls worldwide. To learn more about GEMS, visit http://gemsgc.org/

*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 cried out to God and asked, “God, please no more hard things.” Nicki shares these words in her new book, *Flooded. Sadly, for the last two years, it has been one hard thing on top of another for Nicki and her family. This week on the Depth podcast, she vulnerably shares how doubt flooded her soul and began to impact her faith. Maybe you are in a hard season where doubt has flooded your soul and you are struggling with your faith. I cannot wait for you to hear Nicki share about the life of Noah in the Bible and the 5 Best Decisions to Make When Life is Hard and Doubt is Rising (the subtitle of her book).

I promise you do not want to miss the truth Nicki shares.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Nicki’s book: *Flooded. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link. https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/flooded-book-giveaway/

It is fun to have Nicki back on the Podcast! If you missed my first conversation with Nicki about her book, *Why Her, please check out Episode 22 on the Depth podcast.  I love what she shares about comparison.

Book Recommendation:

• The Light We Lost (Fiction) by Jill Santopolo

Nicki Koziarz is a two-time ECPA bestselling author and speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She speaks nationally at conferences, retreats, and meetings and hosts her own podcast. An evangelist at heart, Nicki inspires others to become the best version of who God created them to be. Nicki and her husband and three girls run a small farm just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, which they affectionately call The Fixer Upper Farm. You can connect with Nicki more at her website: https://nickikoziarz.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!