The holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year”… but for many people, Christmas can feel overwhelming, lonely, or even depressing. In today’s episode, April and Becca get real about what it actually takes to hold onto joy during the Christmas season.

We talk about:
 ✨ Why joy is more than a feeling—and how Scripture anchors us when emotions shift
 🤝 The importance of not facing the season alone (friendships, community, and local church support)
 📉 Eye-opening statistics about holiday loneliness and depression
 💡 Practical ways to protect your mental, spiritual, and emotional health
 😂 And of course… plenty of humor and honest conversation along the way!

Whether this season feels magical, messy, or somewhere in between, we’re here to remind you that joy is still possible—and you don’t have to walk through Christmas alone.

Mentioned in this episode:
• Psalm 16:11 – “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”
• Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
• Hebrews 10:24–25 – Why community matters more than ever

If you’re looking for encouragement, connection, and a whole lot of real talk, this episode is for you. 💛

Even when our body and spirit seem fine, our mind can feel completely drained. In this episode, Becca and April talk about the battlefield of the mind — how the enemy attacks through our thoughts and how God’s truth brings peace and renewal.

Discover how to take every thought captive, overcome negative thinking, and find rest for your soul through God’s Word. If you’ve been feeling mentally or emotionally weary, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and refill — the way God intended.

In this episode of Encouraged By The Word, hosts April and Becca welcome special guest Sheri Wiese, a fitness expert with a passion for health and wellness. Together they explore God’s Design for Wellness—how caring for our bodies connects with our faith.

Sheri shares her personal journey of faith and fitness, along with practical tips for:

• Building healthy daily habits
• Simple steps for better nutrition
• How exercise boosts mood and energy
• Finding balance between neglect and obsession
• Why physical health impacts spiritual health

If you’ve ever felt drained or “running on empty,” this conversation will inspire you to live energized and aligned with God’s design for your life.

📚 Resources from Sheri:

• Unbreakable by Dr. Vonda Wright
• Casey Payne, PA-C | Integrative Partners (Shreveport, LA)
• Dr. Josh Axe
   (functional medicine online)
• Midihealth.com
  (hormone health)
• LesMillsOnDemand.com
   (virtual workouts)
• SheriWiese.com
  | Ambition Fitness (Shreveport, LA)

Do you ever feel completely drained by the demands of life—especially as a mom, wife, or busy woman of God? In this episode, hosts April and Becca talk openly about burnout, exhaustion, and the struggle to keep pouring out when your own cup feels empty.

Through the story of Martha and Mary, we’re reminded of the importance of choosing what matters most: time with Jesus. 💛 Together, we’ll explore:
 ✨ How to prioritize time with God even in busy seasons
 ✨ Why setting healthy boundaries is biblical (not selfish!)
 ✨ The power of asking for help and practicing self-care
 ✨ Practical ways to guard your heart and energy against burnout

Our prayer is that this conversation encourages you to pause, refocus, and let the Lord refill your strength.

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In this very first episode, we’re pulling back the curtain to introduce ourselves and share the heart behind Encouraged by the Word.

You’ll hear why we started this podcast, what you can expect in each episode, and how we hope it will strengthen your walk with God. Whether you’re in a season of overflow or barely hanging on, our prayer is that these conversations will meet you right where you are—with encouragement rooted in the Word of God.

🎙️ Come get to know us, and let’s start this journey together!

🎶 Intro Music Credit:
Song: Summer Upbeat Pop House
Artist: Mikhail Smusev @SigmaMusicArt
Licensor: SigmaMusicArt
Source: Pixabay.com
Licensor's Username:
https://pixabay.com/users/sigmamusicart-36860929/
Audio File URL:
https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-summer-pop-upbeat-house-264402/