Welcome to a bold new chapter. In this kickoff episode of Empowered to Lead (formerly The Empowered Christian Woman), Jeannette shares the powerful story behind the podcast rebrand—and the deeper vision it reflects. This episode isn’t just about a name change. It’s about a movement of Spirit-empowered women rising to lead with clarity, courage, and conviction in spaces that weren’t built for them.

Jeannette opens up about her personal journey through church leadership, the weight of spiritual discontent that sparked her transformation, and the awakening that led her to lead differently, not by hustling for approval, but by leading from her God-given identity.

If you’ve ever felt the tension of being called to more but unsure how to step into it without burning out or losing yourself… this episode is for you.

You’ll also get a simple but powerful leadership reflection framework, the 3 R’s of Spirit-Led Leadership, to help you lead from a place of wholeness, not striving.

👉 As you listen, come back to these three questions:

Rooted: Am I leading from my identity in Christ or from a place of striving?

Resilient: What rhythms do I need to sustain my soul and my leadership?

Relational: Who is walking with me on this journey of leadership?

This is your invitation to step into the leadership God designed you for...no permission needed.

So many women, especially women of faith, have been taught to downplay or distrust their desires. We’ve been praised for sacrifice and conditioned to believe that wanting something for ourselves is selfish, prideful, or even unspiritual. But what if your desires aren’t distractions… what if they’re divine invitations?

In this episode, Jeannette challenges the common narrative that “wanting” and “faithfulness” are at odds. She explores why answering the question “What do you want?” might be one of the most sacred things you can do and how Jesus Himself asked people that same question. If you’ve been serving everyone else, losing touch with your own heart, or hiding behind “I just want what God wants,” this conversation is for you.

It’s time to trust that your desires matter and that God isn’t threatened by them.

What if Jesus' way isn’t just different—but completely opposite from how we’ve learned to lead, respond, and engage with our polarized world?

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Jeannette Cochran sits down with Tammy Melchien, a seasoned teaching pastor and upcoming author of Choosing the Opposite, to explore what it means to truly follow Jesus in a divided world. Tammy shares her personal journey from unexpected ministry roles to becoming the leader of a large teaching team in a multi-site church—offering hard-won wisdom for women navigating leadership in spaces where they’re often overlooked.

Together, they talk about:

How the Sermon on the Mount can reshape our instincts and call us to radical love, truth, and grace.

Why peacemaking sometimes means disrupting the status quo to speak up for the powerless.

The invisible gender bias in egalitarian churches and what women can do to advocate for themselves.

The importance of developing your voice, building intimacy with God, and finding your next step—especially when opportunities aren’t handed to you.

How children’s ministry unexpectedly became a sacred training ground for preaching.

Tammy’s story is both relatable and inspiring for any woman who feels called to teach, lead, and faithfully follow Jesus—even when the path forward isn’t clear.

Pre-order Tammy’s book Choosing the Opposite—available everywhere October 7, 2025—and follow her on Instagram for upcoming giveaways and inspiration.

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Are you constantly busy but still feeling behind? Overwhelmed by the weight of your responsibilities and wondering if it’s even possible to find balance? You’re not alone.

In this powerful episode, we’re flipping the script on time management. Jeannette shares a vulnerable story from her own leadership journey, exposing the lie of time scarcity and offering a liberating truth: you have enough time to do what God has truly called you to do.

You’ll discover:

If you’re a woman in leadership longing for more peace, purpose, and power in your schedule, this episode is for you.

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 Book a free Leadership Growth Session with me.

Have you ever felt a nudge to speak up, step out, or pursue something bigger only to be stopped cold by a voice in your head whispering, “Who do you think you are?”

In this powerful episode, we’re calling that voice out for what it is: your inner critic.

It’s not God. It’s not wisdom. And it’s definitely not the truth.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the tension between holy ambition and the fear of being “too much”… if you’ve wondered whether your desire for more is selfish or Spirit-led… this episode is for you.

We’ll unpack why the inner critic shows up, how spiritual gaslighting has shaped what many Christian women believe about leadership and desire, and what to do when fear tries to silence your voice.

You’ll walk away with truth, clarity, and a fresh sense of courage to step into the calling God has placed on your life even if you feel scared, unqualified, or unsure.

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Started the year with big dreams… but now your goals are gathering dust?

You’re not alone and you’re not broken. In this episode, we’re unpacking the 5 reasons most people stall out on their goals (and spoiler: it’s not because you lack discipline or motivation).

Whether you feel stuck, stretched too thin, or unsure where to focus, this episode will help you:

It’s time to stop shaming yourself and start making meaningful progress again. Hit play and let’s reset your goals—and your mindset—together.

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If you want help mapping out your 12-week goals, building a strategy, or getting clear on what actually matters—I’d love to support you.

Book a free Leadership Growth Session with me.

Are you constantly saying things like “I’m just checking in…” or “Sorry, but…” without even thinking about it? These subtle phrases—called speech minimizers—can quietly sabotage your authority and impact.

In this episode, we explore the three most common habits that undermine women’s voices: hedging, over-apologizing, and qualifying. You’ll learn why we use them, how gender bias plays a role (yes, we’re talking about the Heidi/Howard study), and how to reframe your words with confidence and clarity.

Packed with practical examples and empowering insights, this conversation will help you stop shrinking and start showing up fully in your voice and leadership.

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If you’ve been sensing a deeper calling or a new season of growth, you’re not alone. Join Jeannette for a free coaching session to uncover your Leadership Growth Edge — the unique place where your courage meets your calling. This is a safe, sacred space to dream, reflect, and take your next bold step forward. Space is limited so grab your spot today.

Click here to schedule your session.

Can you be a Christian and a feminist? For some, the answer is a bold yes. For others, it feels like a contradiction. In this episode, we unpack the history, theology, and misconceptions that surround the word feminism—especially in Christian spaces. From Jesus' radical treatment of women to the faith-fueled activism of early feminists like Sojourner Truth and Catherine Booth, we trace how the call for gender equality has always been gospel work.

Whether you've proudly claimed the label or hesitated to use it, this episode invites you to explore what feminism really is (and isn’t), how it's been misunderstood by the Church, and why advocating for the full dignity, equality, and flourishing of women is not just compatible with faith—it’s central to it.

About the Host:

Jeannette Cochran is a leadership coach, ministry veteran, and passionate advocate for Christian women who are deconstructing harmful gender roles and stepping into their God-given authority. With over 30 years of ministry experience—half of that as an Executive Pastor—Jeannette knows the unique challenges of being a high-capacity woman in spaces that weren’t built with her in mind.

After years of striving, self-silencing, and tying her worth to her work, Jeannette did the deep inner work to heal false beliefs, reclaim her voice, and lead with confidence, clarity, and joy. Now she helps other women do the same. Her podcast is a space for women who are ready to break free from limiting narratives, rise with bold authenticity, and lead with holy confidence in every area of life.

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If you’ve been sensing a deeper calling or a new season of growth, you’re not alone. Join Jeannette for a free coaching session to uncover your Leadership Growth Edge — the unique place where your courage meets your calling. This is a safe, sacred space to dream, reflect, and take your next bold step forward. And it's FREE!

Click here to learn more and schedule your session.

What if everything you’ve believed about failure is wrong?

In this episode, Jeannette is busting open four common myths about failure that quietly sabotage our growth, confidence, and calling. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the fear of messing up, held back your ideas, or waited for perfect conditions to act, this conversation is for you.

You’ll learn why failure isn’t the enemy. It’s often the very path to purpose. We’ll reframe what it means to fail, expose the hidden beliefs that keep us small, and share powerful truths that can set you free to take bold steps forward. It’s time to stop letting failure define you and start letting it develop you.

This episode will challenge your perspective, spark your courage, and remind you: You were made to rise, not retreat.

About the Host:

Jeannette Cochran is a pastor and leadership coach with two decades of executive level leadership. She helps women fast-track their learning, optimize their gifts and lean into the full expression of the leader God created them to be.

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Have you ever wondered if the way you’ve been taught about Christian marriage really lines up with God's heart? In today's episode, you’re invited into a conversation about something that still causes so much confusion — mutuality in marriage.

You’ll hear a journey that might feel familiar — from believing a husband had to be the "spiritual leader" (even when it didn’t quite make sense) to discovering a richer, more beautiful vision in Scripture: a marriage built on partnership, unity, and mutual submission.

We’ll unpack passages like Ephesians 5 and 1 Corinthians 7 together, clear up some common misunderstandings, and explore what the Bible really teaches about love, service, and decision-making between husbands and wives.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between the partnership you live with your spouse and the old language the church handed you… or if you long for a relationship where your voice, gifts, and leadership are fully valued — this conversation is for you.

Come be encouraged, challenged, and reminded: God's dream for your marriage is bigger, freer, and more life-giving than you may have been taught.

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You Were Made to Lead with Confidence and Purpose.

Click here to learn more and schedule your free session.