We’re excited to bring you a fascinating episode this week! Doris welcomed Dr. Mikel Del Rosario, professor, author, and host of the Apologetics Guy podcast, to talk about his brand new book: Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? Making Sense of Historical Claims.

Many have wrestled with doubt or faced tough questions from loved ones about who Jesus is, did Jesus claim to be God, and the reliability of the Bible. This episode is packed with encouragement, practical insight, and real stories that will help you defend your faith with clarity, courage, and compassion.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

- What history says about Jesus’ divine claims Dr. Mikel Del Rosario gives an accessible look into how historians—including skeptics—evaluate Jesus’ words and actions, and why his claims to be God are both profound and credible.

- Why it’s OK to doubt—and how God meets us when we do Doris and Dr. Mikel Del Rosario discuss how doubt isn’t the opposite of faith, and how asking good questions can actually strengthen it.

- How to love and listen well in spiritual conversations You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to share your faith—just a good listener, willing to walk alongside others and meet them where they are.

- Practical answers to tough questions—from skeptics and other faiths From thoughtful responses to Jehovah’s Witnesses or Muslim friends, to talking with those who see Jesus as “just a good teacher,” you’ll come away empowered to share clear, respectful answers.

Resource Highlight: New Book! Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? is available now from InterVarsity Press (IVP Academic) and online retailers. This is not only for church leaders or professors—you’ll find it accessible, practical, and perfect for reading on your own or with a Bible study group.

We're talking about this amazing book and more!

Episode Highlights and Takeaways ...

000:00 Faith Conversations and Apologetics Insights

05:14 "Explaining Faith with Courage"

08:49 "Debating Jesus' Divinity Claims"

15:25 "Faith, History, and Jesus"

16:49 "Jesus' Divine Authority Examined"

21:32 Engaging Skeptics and Other Faiths

27:32 Eyewitnesses and Jesus’ Identity

32:13 Unexpected Messiah Revealed

32:47 Messianic Signs and Jesus' Miracles

37:33 Listening First, Sharing Later

40:59 Faith-Building Resource for Groups

Connect with Dr. Del Rosario!

You can connect with Dr Mikel Del Rosario at www.apologeticsguy.com where you'll find his book, blog, YouTube channel info, The Accessible Apologetics Workbook, and a plethora of helpful resources and recommended reading!

Dr. Mikel Del Rosario helps Christians find clear answers to tough questions about Christianity and explain the faith with courage and compassion. He is a Professor of Bible and Theology at Moody Bible Institute and the author of Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? Making Sense of His Historical Claims (IVP Academic).

Previously, he taught Christian Apologetics and World Religion at William Jessup University and Digital Media for Ministry at Dallas Theological Seminary. He has published over 30 journal articles on apologetics and cultural engagement in Bibliotheca Sacra with his mentor, Dr. Darrell Bock. He holds an M.A. in Christian Apologetics with highest honors from Biola University, along with a Master of Theology (Th.M) and a Ph.D in Biblical Studies (Emphasis in New Testament Studies) from Dallas Theological Seminary, where he served as Project Manager for Cultural Engagement at the Hendricks Center, producing and hosting The Table podcast. He has also served in the Philippines as a missionary professor with Converge Worldwide and a youth pastor to refugees and multicultural students in California. Follow him online at ApologeticsGuy.com, the Apologetics Guy YouTube channel, and his podcast on the Christianity Today Network: The Apologetics Guy Show.

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2026!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let’s have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect …

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

Transcript

Doris [00:01:54]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan. And his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal, it might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I'm Doris Swift, author of the award winning six week Bible study, Surrender the Joy. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you.

Doris [00:02:34]:And it helps women rediscover the overflowing ever present Jesus joy within. Using personal and biblical stories I share, how you can identify your joy stealers. Surrender them to God, Reawaken the joy within and share the joy with others. You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the joy stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It's available on all the online retailers.

Doris [00:03:04]:It's time to take your joy back. Welcome back to the show. I am really excited to welcome this guest today. I've been looking forward to this interview for some time. I am welcoming Dr. Mikel Del Rosario and he is a professor of Bible and theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and he's a member of the Evangelical Theological Society. He is also a podcast host of the popular podcast the Apologetic Guy. And you gotta love that name so much.

Doris [00:03:37]:I love it. Um, it's fantastic. And you listen to podcasts, so go and listen to that and subscribe. And today we're talking about his new book, Did Jesus really say He Was God? Making Sense of His Historical Claims. And it's published by InterVarsity Press, which is IVP academic and it's an apologetics book that uses history to defend the deity of Christ and helps Christians engage unbelievers in thoughtful conversations about the Lord. Welcome to the show, Dr. Del Rosario. It's so great to have you.

Dr. Mikel Del Rosario [00:04:10]:Thanks so much, Doris, for the invitation. I'm glad we finally made this happen. I know we've been talking about this for a little while.

Doris [00:04:15]:Yeah, we sure have. And I just, I. I have a love for apologetics and just fascinates me the investigative part of it, you know, and that there's so many, even atheists, who have gone to the word of God to try to disprove it and instead wound up becoming a Christian who then teaches apologetics or, you know, also has a heart for helping others to share their faith. So I love the message that you want to help others to not only walk in their faith and know what they believe and why they believe it, but also to help others when they have faith conversations. Because, you know, I. I personally used to get defensive when I was talking about faith, but understanding that it's not being defensive, it's being. It's defending the faith, but having a faith conversation. So I would love if you would share, as I asked my guests, how you're taking action, where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect now.

Dr. Mikel Del Rosario [00:05:14]:What a great question. So my passion is helping people find clear answers to tough questions about God, Jesus and the Bible, and then helping Christians to better explain their faith, too, with both courage and compassion. And so with my new book, did Jesus really say he was God? This is where these things come together for me, because specifically, I want to talk about helping people talk about Jesus with their unbelieving friends, having more confidence just for themselves, that the Bible is giving us real history. And so it's a matter of engaging with courage because you have to stand up for what is true in the midst of a culture that's pushing back on the Gospel message, pushing back on the deity of Jesus, but also compassion, because a lot of times the people we talk to don't see the Bible as any kind of authority at all and don't even see the general reliability of the Bible. And so as a way to find common ground and meet them where they're at, we need to be able to engage, even on a historical level, when they ask questions like, did this really happen?...

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this episode, host Doris Swift sits down with award-winning author Kristen Hogrefe Parnell for an inspiring conversation about faith, fiction, and trusting God’s unique timeline. Kristen shares her journey from writing young adult suspense to crafting women’s fiction rooted in faith, revealing how her own experiences—like waiting for her husband and navigating motherhood—have shaped her stories and perspective.

We dig into the power of Christian fiction to reflect real-life struggles and joys, Kristen’s advice for aspiring writers on developing characters and honing their craft, and the messy, beautiful reality of unfinished stories—both on the page and in our lives. Plus, Kristen gives us a peek into her Crossroads Suspense series and her upcoming children’s book, “Not Much Lunch,” reminding listeners that “little is much when God is in it.”

Whether you're an avid reader, a writer-in-progress, or simply someone seeking encouragement in a season of waiting, this episode is full of practical wisdom, hope, and a reminder that God’s plans are always better than our own. Stay tuned to hear how passion, compassion, and conviction intersect in Kristen’s work—and get ready to be uplifted and inspired on your own fierce calling!

We're Talking About Kristen's Amazing Books & More!

Episode Highlights and Takeaways ...

00:00 Author Spotlight: Crossroads Suspense

06:02 "Compassion Through Fiction's Truth"

09:25 Writing Tips for Aspiring Authors

14:08 Faith, Fiction, and Inspiration

18:17 "Daily Faithful Waiting on God"

18:52 "Waiting on God's Timing"

25:12 "Success Takes Time and Faith"

29:08 "Writing Books That Fill Needs"

30:33 Spiritual Maturity and God's Timing

35:58 "Abiding in the Vine"

37:39 Finding Faith in Busy Seasons

41:53 Writing Process and Plot Gaps

43:34 "Living in Your Season"

46:59 Marriage Is Like a Dance

49:51 "Jesus: The Only Way"

53:34 Encouragement and Connection Await

Connect with Kristen!

You can connect with Valerie and find her books and resources mentioned in the show, here:

kristenhogrefeparnell.com

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon 

| BookBub

More About Kristen!

Kristen Hogrefe Parnell writes suspenseful fiction from a faith perspective for women and young adults. Her own suspense story involved waiting on God into her thirties to meet her husband, and she desires to keep embracing God’s plan for her life when it’s not what she expects. A former English teacher and youth leader, she now designs curriculum for a Christian academy and spends most of her time at her favorite assignment to date: being a mom to her toddler. Whenever possible, she welcomes speaking opportunities and enjoys being a podcast guest. She is represented by The Blythe Daniel Agency.

Her faith perspective is a shaping influence in all her books. These include an inspirational women’s romantic suspense series called Crossroads Suspense with Mountain Brook Ink. The first book, Take My Hand, released in 2022. The second, Hold Your Breath, released November 2023, and the third, Watch Your Back, released in 2025. Her young adult fiction includes a dystopian trilogy, The Rogues, published under her maiden name. The first book, The Revisionary, and the final book in the trilogy, The Reactionary, both received the Selah Award for Speculative Fiction.

Blogging is something she also enjoys. Kristen shares nonfiction inspirational pieces through guest blogging opportunities and has contributed to The Write Conversation and the KHCB Network.

She also blogs on her website where she often features other authors and their stories. Her monthly newsletter includes a personal word from Kristen as well as the latest giveaway opportunities for her readers (and a free short story just for signing up).

Putting her pen aside, she and her husband James enjoy traveling and outdoor adventures. Of all their adventures, though, their favorite is raising their young son. They live in the Tampa, Florida area and love sharing their lake home with family and friends.

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2026!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you're looking for a speaker for your next women's conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let's have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you'll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect ...

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I'll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

Are you feeling weighed down and searching for more joy in your life? Well, you're in the right place! Welcome to another uplifting episode of Fierce Calling! This week, Doris Swift invites us to explore and rediscover joy — what joy truly is and how we can reclaim it, even in life’s toughest seasons. Doris is joined by two extraordinary guests: Karen Whiting, a prolific author, speaker, and certified writing coach, and Pam Farrel, beloved for her wisdom on relationships and joy, and co-author of more than 61 books alongside her husband Bill.

Together, Pam and Karen share their personal stories of facing adversity — from health crises and loss to everyday struggles —while living out their message of “choosing joy.” You’ll hear Pam’s powerful testimony of transformation and perseverance through illness, and Karen’s gentle wisdom born from raising a family across the country and sharing joy through creativity and kindness. The conversation delves into their collaborative devotional, Growing a Joyful Heart, filled with practical ways to cultivate, nurture, and spread joy, as well as the impact of biblical and historic joy-givers.

If you’re craving encouragement and ready to let the “Jesus joy” overflow in your life, don’t miss this inspiring episode. There’s even a special announcement about their upcoming Joy Challenge — so get ready to connect, reflect, and rediscover the source of true, lasting joy.

We're Talking About This Amazing Book & More!

Florida Women's Ministry Leadership Conference mentioned in the intro:

Episode Highlights and Takeaways ...

00:00 "Surrender What Steals Joy"

07:53 "Women: Multitasking by Design"

09:26 "Joy, Communication, and Devotion"

12:23 Choosing Joy Amid Change

17:54 "Finding Joy in Memories"

20:55 Sprinkling Joy Through Seasons

24:19 Sharing Joy Through Crafts

25:44 Streams of Joy Amid Struggles

29:28 "Transformed by Jesus' Love"

31:26 Medieval Monks' Quirky Scribbles

36:07 "Teal Tuesdays: Choosing Joy"

38:17 "Sprinkling Joy in Daily Life"

43:51 "Sharing Christ's Love Together"

Connect with Karen!

You can connect with Karen, join the JOY CHALLENGE, and find her books and resources mentioned in the show, here:

www.karenwhiting.com

More About Karen!

Karen Whiting, a freelance writer and award-winning author of more than thirty nonfiction books, loves to let creativity splash onto the pages as she writes. Karen’s newest books Growing a Peaceful Heart and Growing a Joyful Heart help people live above the negative news and difficult circumstances to embrace God’s love.

Karen also writes books to equip families and help them and their children thrive. Karen is a certified personality trainer, certified children’s ministry coach, and AWSA certified writing and marketing coach. She loves to guide people to move forward in life and God’s calling.

Connect with Pam!

You can connect with Pam, join the JOY CHALLENGE, and find her books and resources mentioned in the show, here:

love-wise.com

More About Pam!

Two phrases sum up Pam’s approach to life:

Choosing Joy!

One ordinary woman connected to the extra-ordinary God can make difference!

These sayings captured Pam’s heart because they sum up her experience. “I am the first-born daughter of an alcoholic father with severe rage issues. I often thought our family would make the headlines but for all the wrong reasons. When I was 8 years-old, however, a family friend saw the chaos we were living in and invited us to attend church with her. There I saw what real love looked like.”

Having discovered peace and focus in her life, she is motivated to help women everywhere uncover their potential through a life of confidence and courage.

Her writing career began shortly after she began attending church as a child. She wrote her first book under a tree on her family farm. As an adult, she has published more than 40 books including the best-seller Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti, 7 Simple Skills for Every Woman, Becoming a Brave New Woman, Devotions for Women on the Go!, Got Teens? (co-authored with Jill Savage), 52 Ways to Wow Your Husband; Red Hot Romance Tips for Women, 10 Secrets for Living Smart, Savvy and Strong and most recently Discovering Creative Bible Study Experience books: Discovering Hope in the Psalms, Discovering Joy in Philippians, Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament – release date October, 2019 and 2 future Discovering books (co-authored with Jean E. Jones and Karla Dornacher).

Pam is an engaging and energetic leader who has impacted women’s lives with her experience as an international speaker, Director of Women’s Ministry, radio co-host, newspaper columnist, pastor’s wife, youth leader, and mentor.

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2026!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you're looking for a speaker for your next women's conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let's have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you'll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect ...

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I'll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests!

Transcript

Doris Swift [00:01:55]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal, it might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I'm Doris Swift, author of the award winning six week Bible study Surrender the joy. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. And it helps women rediscover the overflowing ever present Jesus joy within.

Doris Swift [00:02:40]:Using personal biblical stories I share how you can identify your joy stealers. Surrender them to God, Reawaken the joy within and share the joy with others. You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the joy stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It's available on all the online retailers. It's time to take your joy back.

Doris Swift [00:03:09]:Welcome back to the show today. I am so excited to have two of my friends joining me today. Karen Whiting has been on the show before and Pam Farrell, I think this is her first time on so we're happy to have her.

Pam Farrel [00:03:24]:I'm so happy.

Doris Swift [00:03:25]:This is exciting.

Pam Farrel [00:03:25]:I'm so joyful. Yes.

Doris Swift [00:03:27]:We're going to talk all about joy and you know, things have been heavy lately and, and so joy is just the perfect subject to talk about. It's a fruit of the spirit, it's given to us by our lord and so we're going to talk about that and I'm going to introduce you to my friends. Karen is the mother of two daughters and three sons including rocket scientists. And I think Karen, you're a mathematician as well, correct? So yeah, this is a really cool family. She's the grandmother of two, 15. Is that still the same? Is that still the right number?

Karen Whiting [00:04:01]:No, we got a new baby a few weeks ago, actually 17 now, so.

Doris Swift [00:04:07]:Wow, that's awesome. And so she, yeah, she's raised her children from Hawaii to New York, in Michigan to Florida as her late husband served in the U. S. Coast guard. And she's the author of Golly. She's up to like 34 books or more. She's in the process of writing more books that are in the editing stages and she's an international speaker, a certified writing and marketing coach and former television host. And Karen is a joy and I have personally met her in person and also have done book signings alongside of her and it's just Just a fun gal and such a blessing.

Doris Swift [00:04:47]:And Pam is so joyful. And her and her husband Bill are the authors of More than Golly. They're up to 61 books. Right. Pam and the Ferals are co founders and co directors of Love Wise, an organ to help people connect love and wisdom and bring practical insight to their personal relationships. So they do a lot of conferences and marriage type retreats and things like that. And the Pharaohs make their home aboard boat that is cool. Decked in.

Doris Swift [00:05:19]:And you're docked in Southern California.

...

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this episode #215, host Doris Swift is joined by returning guest Valerie Ellis—author, speaker, teacher, and founder of Our Everyday Parables, a multi-author site dedicated to bringing families resources where faith and fun meet. Valerie’s passion for connecting kids with biblical truth through engaging books shines as she shares about her journey, including inspiration from her own two boys and her background as a certified teacher.

Doris and Valerie dive into the stories behind Valerie’s beloved children’s books—like Let’s Go Bible Adventures, designed for kids obsessed with trains, trucks, and ice cream vans, and Share the Joy: A Christmas Lift-the-Flap Book, which helps instill a spirit of giving during the holidays. They discuss Valerie’s newest release, Wild Faith Devotional for Kids, packed with fascinating animal facts and faith lessons, and explore how everyday moments and the wonders of creation can point children (and adults!) to God.

You’ll also hear practical wisdom on helping your kids experience "Jesus joy," resources for parents and caregivers to make faith relatable, and tips for aspiring writers who feel called to create meaningful books for children. Tune in for encouragement, laughter, and a timely reminder that investing in the youngest generation can have eternal impact—even in the busiest seasons.

We're Talking About These Amazing Books & More!

Florida Women's Ministry Leadership Conference mentioned in the intro:

Episode Highlights and Takeaways ...

00:00 Children's Christian Books and Devotional

07:06 "Supporting Parents in Faith Education"

09:42 Teaching Christmas Sharing to Kids

12:28 Promoting Christian Books in Libraries

14:44 "Books Adults and Kids Love"

20:15 Teaching Faith Through Everyday Moments

21:28 VBS Themes: Truth and Fun

25:02 "Catfish Devotion: Sense God's Goodness"

30:39 Joy of Writing Rhyming Books

31:44 Writing Children's Christian Books

34:53 "Get Excited Every Day"

38:07 Critique Groups for Writing Growth

42:19 Writing Journey: Faith, Fiction, and Nonfiction

45:01 Unrecognized Parental Impact

49:47 Sharing Faith and Resources

Connect with Valerie!

You can connect with Valerie and find her books and resources mentioned in the show, here:

valerieellis.com

Our Everyday Parables Blog

Instagram: @iamvalerieellis

Instagram: @oureverydayparables

 Let's Go! Bible Adventures: Real Bible Stories for Kids Who Love Trains, Tractors, Ice Cream Trucks, and More

 Share the Joy! A Christmas Lift-the-Flap Book

Wild Faith Devotional for Kids: 52 Amazing Animals That Point to One Great God

Listeners can find a free activity pack for Let's Go! Bible Adventures at https://valerieellis.com/letsgo/. and info & resources for Wild Faith, plus a YouVersion study for kids at https://valerieellis.com/wildfaith/.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Valerie mentioned: https://www.scbwi.org

More About Valerie!

Valerie Ellis is an author, speaker, and founder of Our Everyday Parables, a multi-author online resource with book reviews and ideas for families pursuing faith and compassion. A certified teacher with countless hours in children’s ministry, Valerie writes books that serve kids at the intersection of faith and fun. 

Valerie is a frequent speaker for The MomCo (formerly MOPS) and similar groups. She stays involved with her own local chapters of The MomCo, SCBWI, and the Texas Library Association as well. Valerie is also a nonprofit consultant, trainer, and grant writer in the Houston area, where she lives with her husband, Josh, and their two boys. An Ohio-born, Texas-raised TCU Horned Frog, Valerie loves live music and going on adventures—big and small—with her family and friends.

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2026!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you're looking for a speaker for your next women's conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let's have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you'll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect ...

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I'll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests!

Transcript

Doris [00:01:56]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan, and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to Him. It might be a prodigal, it might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I'm Doris Swift, author of the award-winning six-week Bible study Surrender the Joy Stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever-present Jesus joy within.

Doris [00:02:41]:Using personal and biblical stories I share, how you can identify your joy stealers. Surrender them to God, reawaken the joy within, and share the joy with others. You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the joy stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It's available on all the online retailers. It's time to take your joy back.

Doris [00:03:10]:Welcome back to the show Today. I am excited to welcome back a good friend of mine. She's been on the show actually twice before. So this is exciting. Valerie Ellis, she is an author, speaker and founder of Our Everyday Parables which is a multi author site for families filled with amazing resources and book reviews and things like that to help families navigate, you know, and find good resources for where their faith and fun intersect. She's also a certified teacher and she writes books that serve kids in that intersection of faith and family and fun. And I love that because that's, you know, fierce calling the intersection where your passion, compassion and conviction intersect. So that word intersect is dear, near and dear to my heart.

Doris [00:04:01]:She's also a nonprofit consultant and she is a trainer and grant writer. So that's cool. And she lives in the Houston area with her husband and their two boys and she's written some amazing books. We've talked about a few on the past episodes. I think she actually she was episode 106 and 168, so it was a little spread there. So we're spreading it out a little bit. But it's so great to have her on. She has several different books.

Doris [00:04:31]:One of them is let's Go Bible. Real Bible stories for kids who love trains, tractors, ice cream trucks and more. And she has a book also that we talked about and since we're getting near the Christmas season, it'll be a cool one to kind of bring back up to the forefront, share the joy, a Christmas lift, the flat book. And I don't know who doesn't like Lift the Flat books because I love those. And her new devotional, which will be coming out October 7th, but by the time this episode comes out, it will be available. And it's Wild Faith devotional for kids, 52amazing animals that point to one great God. And I love this book so much. It's filled with fun and fascinating animal facts.

Doris [00:05:16]:It's very unique and I've learned a lot of stuff from it already. So it's so great to have you back on the show. Welcome, Valerie.

Valerie Ellis [00:05:25]:My pleasure. Thank you, Doris. I just love chatting with you. So I'm thrilled about what we're going to talk about today.

Doris [00:05:32]:Thank you. Me too. It's always so fun to have you on. We go way back. We met through a book membership program called Book Camp. Yeah. Chad R. Allen, and he has, you know, coaching for writers and, you know, helps writers get their books into the world, basically is kind of part of what his tagline is, you know, helping us get books into the world, which he has.

Doris [00:05:57]:And so we're kind of proof to that. And so, yeah, I'm excited to get into this conversation and talk about where your passion convat. I can't even talk. Your passion, compassion and conviction currently intersect through the writing and the things that you have going on right now. Valerie, since we last spoke.

Valerie Ellis [00:06:20]:Yes. Well, I am, I guess, a little bit at loss for words because I have so many passions. And so it's like, well, how do they intersect? I mean,...

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this important episode, host Doris Swift welcomes guest Heather Creekmore—a writer, speaker, coach, and the host of the popular “Compared to Who?” podcast—to talk about a struggle many women face but rarely speak about openly: body image. Heather shares her deeply personal journey, beginning in childhood and traveling through years of dieting, disordered eating, and the belief that changing her body would finally bring happiness. Even marriage and motherhood didn’t resolve her struggle—until a message about modern-day idolatry led to a powerful awakening in her heart.

Heather unpacks how cultural messages fuel our obsession with appearance, how comparison steals our joy, and why true freedom comes from understanding our God-given identity—not from pursuing the latest health trend or fitting into a certain pair of jeans. She also dives into her work coaching women, The 40-Day Body Image Workbook, and her devotional Aging Gratefully.

And you'll love the story about her memorable appearance on Netflix’s “Nailed It!”—and what it taught her about real freedom.

Whether you’ve battled body image insecurities, comparison in any area of your life, or the pressures of aging in a looks-obsessed world, this honest and hope-filled conversation will inspire you to pursue joy, purpose, and your fierce calling right where you are. Get ready for truths, laughter, encouragement, and the reminder that you are so much more than a number on a scale or a face in the mirror.

We're Talking About These Amazing Books & More!

Florida Women's Ministry Leadership Conference mentioned in the intro:

Episode Highlights and Takeaways ...

00:00 Unexpected Struggles with Eating Disorders

08:13 "Discovering Modern Idolatry Challenges"

14:37 "Overcoming Idolatry and Distractions"

19:11 Challenging Self-Worth and Body Image

22:48 Love Language Pitfalls for Women

28:05 Diet Trends Roller Coaster

38:01 Encouragement, Laughter, and Scale Reality

40:56 "Aging Gracefully Through Inner Beauty"

44:17 "Inner Beauty Over Outer Appearance"

51:51 "Wisdom through Experience and Guidance"

54:47 "Baking Show: Embrace Imperfection"

01:00:50 "Community and Connection for Women"

Connect with Heather!

You can connect with Heather through her website and social media links below:

Website: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

https://www.facebook.com/heathercreekmoreblog

https://www.youtube.com/comparedtowho

https://www.instagram.com/comparedtowho

https://www.pinterest.com/comparedtowho/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compared-to-who/id1448403677

Heather Creekmore writes and speaks hope to thousands of women each week, inspiring them to stop comparing and start living. She’s the host of the Compared to Who? podcast and the author of four books, including The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: Hope for Christian Women Who’ve Tried Everything and Aging Gratefully , a new devotional on aging for women in midlife. Heather has been featured on Fox News, Huff Post, Morning Dose, Church Leaders, For Every Mom, and dozens of other shows and podcasts. But she's best recognized from her appearance as a contestant on the Netflix hit show, Nailed It. Heather and her fighter-pilot-turned-pastor husband, Eric, have four children and live in Austin, Texas. Connect with Heather at: www.improvebodyimage.com

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2026!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you're looking for a speaker for your next women's conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let's have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you'll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect ...

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I'll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests!

Transcript

Doris Swift [00:01:57]:

What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan. And his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal, it might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I'm Doris Swift, author of the award winning six week Bible study, Surrender the joy Stealers, Rediscover Jesus joy in you. Using personal biblical stories I share how you can identify your joy stealers, surrender them to God, reawaken the joy within and share the joy with others.

Doris Swift [00:02:49]:

You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the joy stealers, Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It's available on all the online retailers. It's time to take your joy back, friends.

Doris Swift

Welcome back to the show. Today I'm very excited to welcome my friend Heather Creekmore. She writes and speaks hope to thousands of women each week, inspiring them to stop comparing and start living.

Doris Swift [00:03:18]:

And she's the host of the popular Compared to Who podcast where she presents a biblical approach to body image so that we really need to hear. And she's the author of four books including The 40 Day Body Image workbook: Hope for the Christian Women who've tried Everything and Aging Gratefully. And that is an amazing book. It's a devotional on aging for women in midlife. She's wife to Eric, who is a fighter pilot turned pastor husband. She's mom to four. They live in Austin, Texas. And she might be best recognized for her appearance on a popular Netflix show.

Doris Swift [00:03:57]:

Nailed it. So we're gonna maybe hear a little bit about that. So welcome to the show, Heather. It's great to have you on.

Heather Creekmore [00:04:04]:

Oh, it's so great to be here. Thanks for having me.

Doris Swift [00:04:06]:

Doris, I am so happy to have you here and talk about this because it's, it's really an important subject for women. I know men struggle with it too, actually, but primarily your, your ministry is to women. So I would love if you would share a little bit about your story and how you're taking action where your passion, compassion and conviction intersection.

Heather Creekmore [00:04:31]:

Well, Doris, I like to say that this is one place I never expected to take action, never hoped to take action, never wanted anyone to know the depths of my struggles with my body. I started struggling, I would say, in elementary school. By middle school, I was dieting with my mom. By high school, I had And I say this tongue in cheek and very sensitively, but I had become a quote unquote, better dieter in that I could go long periods of time without eating, didn't recognize that I had any kind of eating disorder. By the time I got to college, I had lost my period for about 9, 10 months and was told it was just stress. And this, you know, Doris, this is back in the early 90s. And so there was only a couple categories for eating disorders back then. And I wasn't severely underweight, so I didn't look like I had anorexia and I wasn't able to throw up, so I didn't fit the bulimia category.

Heather Creekmore [00:05:30]:

And so I just was a normal girl with normal girl problems and normal girl problems being. I had this compulsion, drive, need to always try to look better. And, you know, I mean, specifically looking better meant always trying to get thinner. Right? But it was, it was more than that, especially at various points in my life. And, and what I need you to hear and your listeners to understand is that I was raised in a Christian home. I went to Christian school, I went to Christian college. So I knew the God and Jesus answers. I knew I was fearfully and wonderfully made.

Heather Creekmore [00:06:12]:

I knew that God looked at my heart and not my gene size. Right? I. I knew all the things, but it didn't actually help me. I still struggled. I still very much kind of led a dichotomized life of, okay, I'm a good Christian. And really what the most important thing in my life is is to try to, like, fix this body of. And it really wasn't until. So I didn't get married until I was 31.

Heather Creekmore [00:06:39]:

I met my husband at 30. And so all through my 20s, I struggled, like, really to the point of I became a fitness instructor because I thought that would solve it. You know,...

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this episode, host Doris sits down with Melissa McLaughlin, an author, teacher, and speaker, who writes to uplift and inspire followers of Christ.. Melissa opens up about her faith journey, including her unexpected bout with debilitating health issues that led her to an unexpected and unplanned early retirement from her teaching career. What could have been a season of loss became a time of deep spiritual renewal, as Melissa rediscovered her identity in Christ and found new ways to connect with God through scripture-based prayer.

Out of her darkest moments came her first book, In Dark of Night When Words Fail, Voice of Jesus, Pray for Me, designed to help those who struggle with prayer find their voice again through scripture. Melissa also shares how her second book, The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible, was inspired by her own challenges with reading the Bible all the way through, and her desire to help others see the big-picture story of Jesus woven throughout all the books of the Bible.

Join us for an encouraging conversation about hope, identity, and the power of God, Who creates beauty from ashes. Whether you’re in a season of uncertainty, desire to deepen your prayer life, or looking for fresh ways to engage with Scripture, Melissa’s story and resources will inspire you to keep seeking God’s purpose—no matter what twists and turns life may bring.

We're Talking About This Amazing Devotional and More!

Florida Women's Ministry Leadership Conference mentioned in the intro:

Episode Highlights and Takeaways ...

1. Introduction to Melissa McLaughlin

Roles and identity: teacher, writer, wife, mom, speaker, prayer leader, overcomer

Passion for pursuing Christ with biblical truth, grace, and prayer

Brief overview of her books:

"In Dark of Night When Words Fail, Voice of Jesus, Pray For Me"

"The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible"

Context of her writing coming from personal struggles

Doris’s introduction and excitement about the conversation

2. Melissa’s Personal Faith Journey

Growing up in a Christian home

Making her faith her own during college years

Becoming a teacher and her passion for education

Marriage and raising three grown children

3. The Impact of Health Challenges

Long history of back problems leading to debilitating health issues at age 50

Forced, early, and unexpected retirement from teaching

Struggles with loss: health, job, and sense of identity

Spiritual wrestling: questioning God’s plan and lack of healing

4. Rediscovering Identity in Christ

God “peeling back” layers of false identity

Coming to see herself as a child of God, identity rooted in Jesus

Faith being deepened and transformed through suffering

5. Losing and Regaining the Voice to Pray

Feeling unable to pray during her darkest moments

Returning to Scripture and learning to pray aloud from the Bible

Rewriting Scripture into personalized prayers

Restoration of her prayer life: God’s words empowering her prayers

6. The Birth of Her First Book

Decision to write for others struggling to pray

Combining teaching, compassion, and personal pain into her writing

Purpose and design of "In Dark of Night When Words Fail, Voice of Jesus, Pray For Me"

A prayer guide using Scripture for those struggling to pray or seeking to refresh prayer life

7. Transitioning from Teaching to New Ministry

Letting go of her expected career path

Recognizing how God repurposes gifts for new seasons

The unexpected call to writing and blogging

8. Encouragement for Listeners Facing Unexpected Change

Reflection on how God is never surprised by our circumstances

Importance of not finding identity solely in career or roles

Trusting God’s faithfulness to unfold new things

9. Struggles and Strategies in Reading the Bible

Personal experience of reading the Bible fully as a teenager

Attempts to encourage her children to read the Bible, and the challenges they faced

Disappointment over not completing a family Bible reading plan

10. Creation of the Second Book: The Whole Bible Devotional

Desire to help people get the “big picture” of the Bible and see Jesus throughout Scripture

Structure and purpose of the book:

Non-academic, accessible Bible overview

66 representative Scripture passages, one from each book of the Bible

Prayers accompanying each passage, focusing on Jesus’s role across Scripture

Suitable as a 66-day devotional for deeper Bible engagement

11. Teaching as a Calling Beyond the Classroom

Understanding that her core gift of teaching could be used in new formats

Comparing experiences with Doris regarding finding new avenues to teach

12. Practical Guidance for Bible Reading and Study

Difference between reading through and studying the Bible

The benefit of structured plans for reading large sections

Importance of context and seeing the Bible as a whole

13. Process and Discernment in Selecting Devotional Scriptures

Details on the five-year journey to select the 66 passages

Reading one chapter a day and prayerfully discerning key verses

Consulting study Bibles and biblical resources

Seeking to highlight how Christ is present in every book

14. The Transformational Power of the Project

Personal spiritual impact on Melissa during the writing process

Emphasis on patience and allowing God’s timing

15. Central Themes of Her Devotional

Seeing Jesus as present from Genesis to Revelation

Understanding Jesus beyond just the New Testament/manger story

The significance of Jesus as Savior AND Lord

16. The Need for a High View of Scripture and Christ

Importance of filtering all teachings through the Bible

Jesus as the eternal Word, present from the beginning

The fullness of Christ: mercy, righteousness, justice, lordship

17. Addressing Modern Misconceptions About Jesus

Tendency toward emphasizing only grace and love

Balanced understanding of repentance, lordship, and salvation through Jesus alone

The danger of “multiple ways to God” and affirming Jesus’s claim as the only way

18. Encouragement for Listeners in Difficult Seasons

Personal words for those facing pain or loss

Assurance that God sees, loves, and can use broken places for His glory

The power of waiting on God and trusting in His continued work

19. Resources and Ways to Connect with Melissa

Website and blog: melissamclaughlin.org

Free subscription with prayer resources

Blog content: devotionals, Bible studies, prayers, poetry

Books available on Amazon and major retailers

Social media presence: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, Pinterest

Invitation to reach out for prayer or encouragement

20. Closing Thoughts and Exhortation

Reminder that endings often lead to new beginnings

Encouragement to trust God’s bigger plan

Affirmation of listeners’ value and place in God’s story

Invitation to future episodes and continuing community

Connect with Melissa!

You can connect with Melissa at melissamclaughlin.org

Email – melissa.melissamclaughlin.orgX/Twitter - https://x.com/MMcLaughlinsongFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/melissa.mclaughlin.7906/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melissamclaughlinwriter/Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/MelissaMcLaughlinTruthfulGrace/Amazon link to The Whole Bible Devotional - https://a.co/d/cPXLDlUAmazon link to Whisker, Wags, and Woofs – https://a.co/d/4D3jF1BAmazon link to In Dark of Night When Words Fail - https://a.co/d/iunv6Hr

Melissa McLaughlin is a writer, teacher, and speaker. She loves encouraging others through her faith and words. Having retired from her career as a public school teacher, she now writes and speaks about her passion, Jesus Christ. She holds Bachelor's Degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education, as well as a Master's degree as a Reading Specialist. In addition, she earned a Certificate in Foundations of Biblical Studies, which complements her teaching degrees as she writes to uplift and inspire followers of Christ.

Melissa co-hosted a Writer's Workshop and numerous Bible studies and prayer groups at her local church. She is currently hosting a summer Zoom Bible study with people from many locations.

During the darkest seasons of her life, Melissa lost her voice to pray. God led Melissa to use Scriptures to articulate her prayers. Melissa's voice was restored, and her faith was reignited. Melissa's powerful prayer strategies are included in her first book, In Dark of Night When Words Fail, Voice of Jesus Pray for Me.

God inspired Melissa to write her second book, The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible, after struggling to read through the Bible with her family. Her goal with this book is to help others with today's busy lifestyles grasp the Bible's main message and see Jesus throughout the Scriptures.

Melissa has won several awards, including the Selah Award for her essay in the compilation, Whiskers, Wags, and Woofs: Poems and Heartfelt Essays for Dog and Cat Lovers; the Silver Selah for her article in Refresh Bible Study Magazine; the Christlist Award for The Whole Bible Devotional.

Melissa enjoys walks in nature, soaking in the sights and sounds of God's wonderful creation. One of her greatest delights is spending time with her husband, young adult children, and family. Melissa and her husband have two cats who fill their days with laughter and cuddles.

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses,...

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In today’s episode, I welcome a very special duo: mother-daughter team Donna and Charity Amidon. Donna—an accomplished author, speaker, and Bible teacher—returns to the show to talk about her impactful book, Tracing His Promise: Understanding the Bigger Story of Jesus and What That Means for Us. But this time, there’s a creative twist: Donna’s daughter, Charity, an exceptional artist and illustrator, joins the conversation to share her unique role in bringing this project to life.

Together, Donna and Charity reveal how a simple Advent family tradition grew into a beloved Bible study—one that seamlessly connects Old Testament Scriptures to the promises fulfilled in Jesus. We’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories about how illustrations that started as small doodles at the kitchen table grew into the artwork that now graces the pages of Donna’s book, as well as full-color Christmas ornaments, inviting families to create meaningful Advent traditions.

You’ll also get practical ideas for using the book at home, in small groups, or as part of your church community, plus inspiration on how to use your own gifts to impact others for Christ.

Whether you’re looking for hope in God’s timing, new ways to engage with Scripture, or encouragement to pursue your calling, this episode is sure to uplift you. Let’s dive into this heartwarming conversation about faith, creativity, advent, and God’s faithfulness across generations!

We're Talking About This Amazing Book and More!

P.S. Planning your fall Bible study or Christmas Advent? Now’s the perfect time to explore Tracing His Promise! And if you do, be sure to share your experience with us. We’d love to hear—and maybe feature your story, too!

Episode Highlights

00:00 "Book Discussion with Charity"

07:31 Divine Preparation and Small Beginnings

11:46 Art, Passion, and Impact

14:00 Mother-Daughter Art Collaboration

18:04 "Illustrations Enhanced with Color PDF"

20:51 Bible Study Book's Progression

23:19 Exploring the Old Testament Together

27:10 "Fulfilled Prophecies: Hidden Treasures"

30:17 Empowering Youth Through Faith Sharing

34:37 "Passover's Symbolic Link to Jesus"

37:49 Faith's Universality Through Art

40:24 Trusting God's Perfect Timing

43:19 Trust God's Timing

47:30 Gratitude and Future Invitations

Connect with Donna!

You can connect with Donna at donnaamidon.org, where you'll find out more about the book, her blog, and speaking.

Follow & connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnaamidon_/

Follow & connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignitetheheart/

A graduate of Southern Evangelical Seminary, Donna is an author, speaker, musician, and lover of all things Bible. For over two decades, Donna has been helping women engage with the rich truths of Scripture and apply them to everyday life. 

With a heart for the local church, Donna has served as a Bible teacher, worship leader, radio broadcaster, small groups director, and pastor’s wife. Donna brings Scripture to life with clarity, heart, and just the right touch of humor, leaving her audience both challenged and refreshed. 

Donna regularly shares at women's conferences, retreats, and church gatherings. She also serves as a Spiritual Fitness Coach with Back to the Bible, where she hosts short video messages to encourage Christians in their spiritual journey. 

Her first book, Tracing His Promise, invites readers to see Jesus throughout the Old Testament and discover God's faithfulness from creation to the cradle.

Donna and her husband, Ryan, live in Virginia with their adult daughter and teenage son.

Connect with Charity!

You can connect with Charity and find her amazing art at https://www.luckydogart.com/

Follow & connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amidonartstudio/

Follow & connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luckydogart/

Link to view more about the book and see Charity's art and ornaments:

https://www.donnaamidon.org/tracinghispromise

You can find the downloadable PDFs with the ornaments at the back of the book (pg. 297) via a special QR code!

My Endorsement Written for Tracing His Promise:

"Tracing His Promise is a powerful, biblically grounded study that reveals profound connections between Old Testament Scripture and the coming Messiah who was born in Bethlehem and is undeniably Jesus. Throughout the study, Amidon illuminates for the reader the significance of events, prophecies, and people of Old Testament times, and not only how they connect directly to Jesus's birth, but also how Jesus was present from the beginning of it all. Amidon engages readers through thought-provoking questions, impactful illustrations, and deep insight. She invites families to incorporate the Jesse Tree into their Christmas traditions and provides creative ideas and downloadable ornaments to help them assemble their own Jesse Tree. Amidon's passion is evident at every turn of the page, while she helps her readers make golden-nugget connections hidden in plain sight. This study is unique and impactful! Don't miss it!" --Doris Swift, host of the Fierce Calling Podcast and author of Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2026!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you're looking for a speaker for your next women's conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let's have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you'll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect ...

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I'll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! 📲

Transcript

Doris [00:01:53]:Welcome back to the show. Today. I'm excited to have a return guest, which this is Donna's, I think, third time on the show. And I'm excited to have her back. Donna Amadon. And she is an author, a speaker, a Bible teacher, and just amazing author. And we're going to talk about one of her books today. And we also have an amazing other guest with us, Charity Amadon, and she is Donna's daughter.

Doris [00:02:21]:So we are so excited and blessed to have both of them here together because there's a special connection that they're going to share about this book. And the book I have behind me here is amazing. It's called Tracing His Promise, Understanding the Bigger Story of Jesus and what that means for us. And we're going to be talking about this among other things. So I'm excited to get started. Welcome to the show. It's great to have you both.

Donna Amidon [00:02:49]:Thank you.

Charity Amidon [00:02:50]:Hey, thank you.

Doris [00:02:51]:All right, well, we've talked a little bit about the book before on, you know, the past episode, but there's a special twist that we did not have before, and that was also inviting Charity into the conversation and how she was connected with this book. So how, however the Lord leads, if you want to, you know, Donna, if you want to kind of lean in first and then bring Charity into how this all connected, because this book is powerful. And I'll tell you, I'm actually also going to lead this book as a Bible study at our church in the fall, and we're going to talk more about that. But I can't wait to help, ladies, to read through it and just dig in to what this means for us. Exactly, as the subtitle says. So. So yeah, Donna, if you could share a little bit more about that. And of course, this is how you're taking action, where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

Doris [00:03:48]:Oh, and also, I wanted to also mention, too, that Charity is an amazing artist and illustrator. So that gives you a little hint about what we're going to talk about. So go ahead, Donna. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you sure?

Donna Amidon [00:04:05]:Well, it's just funny how God orchestrates things and how he sees the whole picture of your life in mind. And we get so kind of trapped in one day at a time, but he just has a bigger plan all the time. And we really saw this happen with how this book kind of blossomed. And it really started about eight years ago. I was leading a Bible study at a church, and it was fall about this time of year. And I'm praying, God, what do I teach these precious ladies. And I had picked out a book that I kind of liked, but was a little hesitant and just didn't have th

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In today’s episode, host Doris Swift sits down with Kate Battistelli—author, speaker, and one of the hosts of the popular Mom to Mom Podcast. Kate shares her powerful story of stepping from a career in theater and the New York Broadway scene into an unexpected life of faith, family, and purpose after coming to know Christ at the age of 29.

Together, Doris and Kate explore what it means to step into unknown seasons—such as the empty nest—and discover new meaning and purpose beyond motherhood. Kate reflects on her journey, from being a Broadway understudy to embracing roles as a mother to the award-winning Christian music artist, Francesca Battistelli, grandmother to 7, wife, and writer, all while encouraging women to boldly obey God’s call, even if it means venturing outside their comfort zones.

We're talking about her career in theater opposite a well-known actor, how she met her hubby, their sweet salvation story, and how God has amazing plans and a powerful purpose for each of our lives.

You’ll also hear practical tips for navigating life transitions, building strong marriages, mentoring the next generation, and saying “yes” to unexpected challenges—whether it’s writing a book, starting a podcast, or simply volunteering.

Stick around until the end for a special offer from Kate, and get ready to be inspired to step out where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect!

Episode Highlights

00:00 "Writer, Podcaster, Former Actress"

04:20 Exciting Stories and New Offers

10:25 From Understudy to Leading Role

12:45 "Unexpected Encounter at Holiness Church"

14:35 "Life-Changing Divine Calling"

20:30 Faithful Obedience and Calling

22:12 Redefining Life After Parenting

25:44 "Preparing for Future Goals"

28:20 Prioritize Relationship Over Parenting

31:31 Finding Purpose Beyond Motherhood

34:32 Pray for Prodigal Children's Return

38:02 Impact Through Obedience

42:06 "Join, Share, and Connect"

We're Talking About Her Amazing Books and More!

Connect with Kate!

You can connect with Kate at katebattistelli.com where you'll find her books, social media links, podcast, blog, and even some amazing recipes!

Plus, If you'd like to read the introduction and the first chapter of The Afterparty of the Empty Nest for free, just text: afterparty (all one word with no spaces), to 44144. And you'll get a couple of other fun goodies as well!

Kate Battistelli is the author of The After Party of the Empty Nest: Mom is Not Your Only Name, the bestseller, The God Dare: Will You Choose to Believe the Impossible, and Growing Great Kids: Partner with God to Cultivate His Purpose in Your Child’s Life. She is a contributing writer to the (in)courage Bible for Women and The Spirit-Led Woman’s Bible, and her writing has appeared in Guideposts, The Joyful Life magazine, The Better Mom, Mici magazine, and more. She is one-third of the popularMom to Mom Podcast. In addition, she is an honoree with She Leads Tennessee.

As a young actress in New York City, Kate had a life-changing experience, going from understudy to starring as Anna in theBroadway National Tour of The King and I opposite Yul Brynner for more than 1,000 performances. Kate and her husband laid down their careers in the Broadway theatre in answer to their first “God Dare,” moving out of New York City and into a life of homeschooling and home business. She lives in Franklin, TN, near her daughter, contemporary Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli, and seven precious grandchildren. Kate serves women by encouraging them to step out of their safe space and into His irresistible future.

She's a Jersey girl living in Franklin, TN, with her husband Mike. They’ve been married for 40 plus years and are the parents of GRAMMY Award-winning Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli Goodwin. She and her husband, Matt, have given us 7 beautiful grandchildren, and they are the delight of our lives!

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2026!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you're looking for a speaker for your next women's conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let's have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you'll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect ...

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I'll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! 📲

Transcript

Doris [00:00:52]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal, it might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I'm Doris Swift, author of the award winning six week Bible study, Surrender the Joy. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers and ripens the fruit that God produces in our lives.

Doris [00:02:32]:Using personal and biblical stories, I share how you can identify your joy stealers. Surrender them to God. Reawaken the joy within and share the joy with others. You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the joy stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It's available on all the online retailers. It's time to take your joy back.

Doris [00:02:57]:Welcome back to the show today. I am so excited to introduce to you my friend, Kate Battistelli. I've been looking forward to this interview with her. She is the author of The After Party of the Empty Nest. Mom is Not Your Only Name. Amen. And she's also the author of the bestseller The God Dare, Will you choose to believe the impossible? And Growing Great Kids Partner with God to Cultivate His Purpose in Your Child's Life.

Doris [00:03:26]:And she is a contributing writer to a lot of different publications and she's also one third of the popular mom to mom podcast. So you listen to podcasts, so be sure to check that out. And she's also a former actress, so we're going to hear a little bit about that. It's kind of exciting. She currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee and she is near her daughter, who you probably know, she's the contemporary Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli and she has seven precious grandchildren. So this is very exciting and a good reason to move to Tennessee. And I love this about Kate, that she serves women by encouraging them to step out of their safe space and into his irresistible future. I've never heard it put that way.

Doris [00:04:13]:So I, I'm really intrigued and I love that so much. Kate, welcome to the show.

Kate [00:04:17]:Thank you, Doris. I am thrilled to be here.

Doris [00:04:20]:I am so excited about this because we are going to talk about so many amazing things that are really going to bless the audience, the listener today. So Listener, stay tuned to the end because Kate has something exciting that she wants to offer you. So. So we don't want to miss out on that. And we are talking about the new book. But there's so many things, really, that are kind of intertwined in your story, Kate, and from your background and everything, that's so fascinating. And I just can't wait for you to share that. So I would love if you would share a little about your story, however the Lord leads you and how you are taking action, where your passion, compassion and conviction intersection.

Kate [00:05:03]:Yeah, I mean, my story is so quirky. I always tell people, you know, God just. God has a sense of humor because he took me from not knowing him to finding him at 29. So I didn't grow up in a Christian home. I grew up going to church. But there was never any, you know, any desire to know Jesus, and it was never really talked about. So I left home. I went to four colleges in two years.

Kate [00:05:28]:I didn't graduate from any of them. So I like to remind people I'm a college dropout. But that doesn't matter. You can still do lots of stuff. But I did get on the dean's list, so there's that. And my husband has a doctorate, so combined, kind of, you know, works, works, works in my favor. But, yeah, just had an interesting life. Now I'm married.

...

On today’s episode of Fierce Calling, I'm talking with Hadassah Treu, an award-winning international author, poet, and blogger, who is passionate about encouraging the brokenhearted and helping others find hope in difficult seasons. Hadassah encourages us to discover the blessings and purposes in the painful seasons of our lives.

From Bulgaria to Austria and back, Hadassah shared how her most painful experiences have become the birthplace of blessings, and how surrendering our struggles to God can transform our journey.

If you’re ready to rediscover lasting joy and resilience through faith, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical encouragement to help you keep moving forward, no matter what you’re facing. I know what Hadassah shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Hadassah Treu.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Surrender to Rediscover Joy

06:32 From Illusions to Spiritual Growth

09:46 Faith Journey Through Writing

13:01 Spiritual Journeys in Christian Europe

17:37 "Finding Growth Through Pain"

21:47 Faith and God's Definition of Good

24:53 Facing Failure: Losses and Gains

28:39 Pursuing Spiritual Maturity and Growth

30:58 Reflecting on God's Work Through Journaling

34:02 Prophetic Poetry of Eternal Hope

37:16 "New Creations in Christ"

40:14 Inspiring Interview with Hadassah

We're Talking About ...

Connect with Hadassah!

You can connect with Hadassah at onthewaybg.com where you'll find her blog posts, books, social media links, and helpful resources.

Hadassah Treu is an award-winning international author, blogger, poet, speaker, and spiritual growth mentor. She is the Encouraging Blogger Award Winner for 2020, the Literature Award Winner of the Municipality of Pazardzhik, Bulgaria for 2024, and a winner of the National Literary Translation Award “Stoyan Bakardzhiev”, Bulgaria for 2025.  Hadassah loves to encourage and motivate people to stand firm in the faith, and grow spiritually by applying biblical truths in their lives. She loves diving deeper into the Word of God and finding hidden treasures. Her blog is on the Top 100 Faith Blogs (spot 19) on the web by Feedspot in 2025.

Hadassah is a regular contributor to several faith-based platforms like Devotable, Koinonia, COMPEL Pro Proverbs 31 Ministries Blog,  COMPEL Pro Training Freelancing Group leader, and Blogger Voices Network contributor. She has been featured on The Upper Room, (In)Courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Her View From Home, Living by Design Ministries, Thoughts About God, Aletheia Today, Today’s Christian Living,   The Way Back to Ourselves, and other popular sites.

Hadassah is also a contributing author to 14 devotional and poetry anthologies. She is also the author of 2 poetry books in Bulgarian: “A Guarantee for Another Life” and “Memories Keeper.”

Her first solo book “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become a Birthplace of Blessings” with Calla Press Publishing was released on March 15,  2024. Order HERE!

Hadassah is no stranger to suffering and losses. From the platform of her greatest pains equipped with lessons gathered on the way, she delivers a powerful message of comfort and hope, found in God’s Word.

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2026!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you're looking for a speaker for your next women's conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let's have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you'll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect ...

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I'll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! 📲

Transcript

Doris Swift [00:01:40]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal, it might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I'm Doris Swift, author of the award winning six week Bible study, Surrender the Joy. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers and ripens the fruit that God produces in our lives.

Doris Swift [00:02:31]:Using personal and biblical stories, I share how you can identify your joy stealers. Surrender them to God. Reawaken the joy within and share the joy with others. You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the joy stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It's available on all the online retailers.

Doris Swift [00:02:56]:It's time to take your joy back. Welcome back to the show. Today I'm excited to welcome my friend, Hadassah Troy. She is an award winning international authority poet. She's a popular blogger and speaker and she loves motivating people to grow in faith and keep a hopeful outlook, which I love that so much because right now we just need hope. We need to share hope. We need to allow people to know the hope of Christ and bring that to the forefront and share the gospel. So I love that Hadassah is doing that and we are going to also be talking about her book, Draw near how painful experiences, experiences become the birthplace of blessings.

Doris Swift [00:03:44]:And that alone should keep you listening throughout this whole episode. Thank you for being on the show. Welcome Hadassah.

Hadassah Treu [00:03:54]:So much stories. I love your podcast. I love the topic Fierce Calling. This is really amazing. And I love the word fears.

Doris Swift [00:04:02]:All right.

Hadassah Treu [00:04:04]:Really? Because. Because we need this. We need this as followers of Christ and as you said, in this dark world when chaos and frustration and everything is growing, so to say, in negative sense, we need to stay fierce. We need to stay brave. We need to start to stay resilient and keep following the Lord wherever he leads and keep making disciples because this is our greatest mission.

Doris Swift [00:04:33]:Amen. Amen. And you are coming to us from Bulgaria, which is amazing and I would love if you would share a little bit about your story, about your background, how you came to know Jesus and how you're taking action, where your passion, compassion and conviction intersect.

Hadassah Treu [00:04:54]:Yes, gladly. I'm coming from Bulgaria. I'm actually a Bulgarian and currently living in Bulgaria. It was not like this my whole life. And when I came to Christ, Bulgaria was still a communist country. So it was quite a wonder and miracle that I came to Christ as a teenager. Then for first time, I prayed to God, whom I didn't know, and placed like an ultimatum to the universe because I wanted that my life to find some meaning. I wanted simply meaning and purpose in my life.

Hadassah Treu [00:05:33]:And I felt this void, I felt this emptiness as a teenager. I guess a lot of teenagers are going through this phase, this is normal. But for me it was even heavier because I came from a family with difficult history and difficult relationships. And yeah, I needed God. So through arranging miraculous meetings and yeah, how only how God can do things, I came here, the gospel for the first time. And I immediately responded by faith. And this is how it all started. And then in my 30s, I met my future husband, the love of my life, so to say.

Hadassah Treu [00:06:32]:And he however, was not a Bulgarian, he was an Austrian. And we married and I lived for 15 years in Austria. This is really a beautiful country, so I highly recommend to visit. And then actually in my 30s, it all started. And by all I mean the painful losing of my illusions and the painful gaining of reality. So it all started with facing a lot of struggles like infertility, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, marriage problems and a lot of other painful experiences. But this was actually the, the deep phases of spiritual formation and spiritual growth. And five years ago I got another blow, so to say the heaviest in my life up to now.

Hadassah Treu [00:07:43]:I lost my husband unexpectedly. And yeah, this was followed by a lot of life altering changes. So I moved back to Bulgaria again, where I'm living here since four and a half years....

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this episode, host Doris Swift welcomes back her friend and returning guest, Rebecca George—author, speaker, and founder of the Radical Radiance podcast community. Doris and Rebecca dive into themes every woman can relate to, including living in that “in-between-almost-but-not-yet” season, and the struggle of waiting on God’s timing in a world telling us to hurry up, because we're falling behind.

Rebecca shares insights from her newest book, You're Not Too Late: Trusting God's Timing in a Hurry Up World, and opens up about how longing, comparison, and even resentment can creep in, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Together, Doris and Rebecca discuss faith and trusting God with hopes, dreams, and that thing we're longing for. They also talk about the importance of community, the dangers of the prosperity gospel, and how to cultivate spiritual resiliency in our everyday rhythms of waiting.

Whether you’re waiting for a breakthrough, struggling with unmet desires, or simply looking to find more joy right where you are, this episode promises wisdom, encouragement, and a reminder: it’s not too late for you. Join us as we lean into God’s timing, celebrate kingdom work, and find inspiration for your own fierce calling!

Episode Highlights

Introduction to Rebecca’s New Book: "You’re Not Too Late"

Book’s core message: Trusting God’s timing in a hurry-up world

Who the message is for and why it resonates

Living in the "In Between Almost-But-Not-Yet"

The tension of waiting and longing

Faithfulness in the "meanwhile"

Rebecca’s Story and Passion Intersection

Multiple hats Rebecca wears in life and ministry

Importance of community among writers, speakers, and podcasters

Creating environments free of competition and comparison

How real-life women’s stories are integrated

Each chapter’s exploration of an opposing mindset/emotion

Interactive aspects—readers relating to stories and self-reflection prompts

Shift in Book Focus: From Singleness to Bigger Picture Regarding Longing

Original intent as a "singleness" book

Expansion into broader themes of longing and desire

Recognizing longing continues even after certain desires are fulfilled

Coping with Longing and Waiting

Gospel-centered perspective versus earthly focus

Transitioning from struggle (despair, doubt, isolation) to hope (joy, community)

Challenges of comparison and resentment

Idolatry and Resentment in the Waiting

When desires become idols

Personal stories of jealousy and difficult emotions

Honest conversations with God about unmet desires

Navigating Comparison

The ongoing struggle with comparison

Coping with guilt over mixed emotions (joy for others, pain for self)

Reminder of true fulfillment found in God

Prosperity Gospel and Misguided Self-Help

Critique of self-help and prosperity gospel ideas infiltrating Christian messaging

Dangers of self-reliance and the myth that effort guarantees results

Importance of biblical truth as the foundation

Culture of Instant Gratification

How technology trains us to avoid waiting

Everyday habits undermining our resilience and patience

Practicing small disciplines to build spiritual resilience

God’s Timing and Looking Back

Reflections on answered prayer coming in the right season

The sweetness of fulfilled longing after seasons of waiting

Gratefulness for God’s story being better than our plan

Favorite Stories and Practical Takeaways from the Book

"The Bench Story"—Rebecca and her husband’s intertwined journeys of prayer and waiting

Psalm 139 "Search Me, God" prayer as a practical tool for self-examination

Encouragement to use scriptural prayers during hard seasons

Encouragement for Listeners Still Waiting

Praying for future blessings and spouses

Warning against making impulsive decisions out of fear of being "too late"

Affirming listeners’ value and God’s perfect timing

Connecting with Rebecca & Additional Resources

Where to find Rebecca online (Instagram, podcast, books)

Free video series accompanying the book

Use of book for group or individual study

Conclusion and Invitation

Reiteration of every woman’s "fierce calling"

Encouragement to partner with God in kingdom work

Preview of future episodes and invitation to tune in again

Connect with Rebecca!

You can connect with Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccageorgeauthor and her website radicalradience.live

Rebecca George is the author of You're Not Too Late: Trusting God's Timing in a Hurry Up World, and Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl , and the host of the popular podcast Radical Radiance. Her work has been featured on outlets such as Life Today TV, HomeLife magazine, and Moody Radio. Rebecca and her husband, Dustin, live in East Tennessee.

Link to Previous Episode with Rebecca

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for fall/winter 2025 & 2026!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you're looking for a speaker for your next women's conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let's have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you'll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect ...

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I'll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! 📲

Transcript

Doris [00:01:40]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal, it might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I'm Doris Swift, author of the award winning six week Bible study, Surrender the Joy. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers and ripens the fruit that God produces in our lives.

Doris [00:02:31]:Using personal biblical stories, I share how you can identify your joy stealers. Surrender them to God. Reawaken the joy within and share the joy with others. You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the joy stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It's available on all the online retailers.

Doris [00:02:56]:It's time to take your joy back. Welcome back to the show. I am so excited today to welcome back a returned guest, my friend Rebecca George. She is the founder of the podcast community Radical Radiance. She's a speaker and an author whose greatest joy in life is discipling others to pursue their passions in a way that builds the kingdom, which is amazing and it's also the heart of fierce calling and I love that so much. She was actually previously on and it was back in 23. That was right before her other book came out, do the Thing, Gospel Centered Goals, Gumption and Grace for the Go Getter Girl, which we love talking about. And that was episode 138.

Doris [00:03:38]:And I will put that link in the show notes so you can check out that episode. And today we are going to talk about a lot of things, but we are also talking about Rebecca's newest book, you're not Too Late. Trusting God's timing in a Hurry up world. And I just can't think of a person that that message wouldn't resonate with. So welcome to the show, Rebecca. It's so great to have you back.

Rebecca George [00:04:02]:Oh, Doris, I'm so happy to be with you. Thank you for having me again.

Doris [00:04:05]:Yeah, I just love that we're doing this. Well, Rebecca, you've been a super busy gal. You have a lot going on. You also have an amazing retreat that we can talk about too. You know what I really like in the back of your book. I love the whole thing about your book Your whole book. But you know the message that says, what does it look like to be faithful in the meanwhile? There was a quote that I really liked and it says the in between almost, but not yet. So the in between almost, but not yet, all like with little hyphens, tension is where we live most of our days.

Doris [00:04:41]:So the in between almost, but not yet. We live there. We live there a lot. So we can definitely relate to that....