Today on the podcast, I sit at the feet of the ever wise "Mama Kym". I call her mama Kym because, well, you'll understand when you hear her voice. Mrs. Kym was diagnosed with aggressive and invasive breast cancer 8 years ago. She walks us through her physical journey of living with cancer, the mental battle that took place, and the spiritual battle that won her heart. She is absolutely RADIANT and I believe you will enjoy sitting under the wisdom of her voice! 

In her spare time, Mama Kym raises butterflies (WHAT?! A true princess), she is a potter, and she leads her own prison ministry. She is basically everything I want to be.

To connect with Mama Kym and see what she is up to, refer to the episode notes below.

EPISODE NOTES:

Books:

1. The Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan

2. The End of Me by Kyle Idleman

3. Breakfast with Bonhoeffer by Jon Walker 

Connect with Mama Kym: 

FB: kymallenstrahan

IG: bearsmother

Blog: "Abide" - btskas.wordpress.com 

This week, I chat with my boss friend and missionary chick, Neely Williams. Neely discusses her 7 year journey with drug addiction and how that road to recovery lead her around the world for missions. She and her husband currently serve on a staff position at their home church. They have a beautiful 3 year old little girl and this family is all about the mission field! Neely radiates peace wherever she is and it definitely permeates a room. This girl is the REAL DEAL, y'all! 

NOTES:

Books

1. Everybody's Normal Til You Get to Know Them - John Ortberg

2. Unshakable Hope - Max Lucado

3. Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers

4. Jesus Calling - Sarah Young

Neely's skin care wonder: https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/

Connect with Neely!

IG: neelydon

FB: Neely Williams

Northpoint Community Church: www.ncc.team  

Offense ... That's a scary word to some. To others, it's a dear friend. We have ALL been hurt by those we trust in one way or another, inside or outside of "the church". We are all part of the same heartbeat of Jesus. So what do we do when those we look up to and trust hurt us?  Britnye is walking proof that you can get offended .... and then get over it. 

Today on the podcast, I sit down with my one of my closest sisters, Britnye Tidwell. She discusses a season that she and her husband, Matt, endured while serving as the student pastors on staff at a church. Their time there did not go as they would have hoped and Britnye experienced her first bout with heartache and disappointment from leadership within the church walls. Britnye had a prime opportunity to get bitter and offended and walk out. BUT she didn't. She and Matt chose to walk in forgiveness and honor towards their pastors and she shares what that was like for her heart and how she learned to trust leadership again. 

EPISODE NOTES:

Books:

1. Girl, Stop Apologizing - Rachel Hollis

2. Year of Yes - Shonda Rhimes

3. Approval Addiction - Joyce Meyer

Reed Timmer - Master storm chaser @reedtimmeraccu

Connect with Britnye! 

IG: britnyetidwell

FB: Britnye Burrow Tidwell 

Northpoint Community Church: www.ncc.team 

This week, I sit down and chat (but mostly laugh) with my sweet soul sister, Andrea West. Andrea discusses a season of her life when paralyzing depression and anxiety set in. What I find interesting about Andrea's story is that this battle came on her AFTER she surrendered her heart and committed to a life of following Jesus. She speaks to the myths of depression, the battle that took place in her mind, and the fight that she had to fight in her heart. Depression and anxiety are very real and very present among too many of us. I love that Andrea speaks not only from a place of experience with this, but a place of VICTORY! I believe you will glean some good nuggets of wisdom from her! 

Andrea and her husband serve as the youth pastors at their home church in Shreveport, Louisiana. She is also a mother of two boys, an ESL teacher, a lover of life and a joyful soul. 

EPISODE NOTES:

Books:

1. Love the Way to Victory - Kenneth Hagin

2. Loving Our Kids on Purpose - Danny Silk 

3. Power of a Praying Parent - Stormie Omartian

4. Everybody Always - Bob Goff

5. The Daniel Dilemma - Chris Hodges 

6. Any book by Lynn Austin

Go check out www.wordoflifecenter.org to connect with Andrea!

This week, I sit down and chat with my sweet friend, Clarrissa, as she explains it all (get it???). But really ... Clarrissa and I talk about everything from single parenthood to addiction to racial divides. She opens up about what it felt like to not fit in with any type of "group" growing up because of the color of her skin. She discusses the challenges she faced as a single mother, working two jobs, just trying to make it day by day while living out of a hotel. Clarrissa has also been a victim of domestic abuse and she walks us through her life during that abusive relationship and how she found freedom and safety from her abuser. 

Clarrissa is a SURVIVOR, no doubt about it. I believe you will be so encouraged through her story. She has one of the kindest, most gentle hearts of anyone I have ever met. And that heart shines, even behind a microphone!!

She and her husband, Dale, along with her two kiddos serve faithfully at their home church. She is a WWII nerd, a lover of people, a gifted writer, and she is also currently in school to earn her license in Christian Counseling! WHAT. A. WOMAN. 

EPISODE NOTES:

Books:

1. Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren

2. Bait of Satan - John Bevere

3. Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn - John Maxwell

4. Lead Like Jesus - Ken Blanchard 

Connect with Clarrissa!!

website: rissaj316.wixsite.com

IG: @clarrissastephens

Hey friends! Enjoy a sneak peek of my chat with my dear friend, Clarrissa! Her full interview will be up on Monday, August 19th!