Kara-Kae James is an author, blogger, and podcaster. Her newest book is called TOGETHER, A Journal for Mom & Me. Today, Kara-Kae shares her journey as a kid keeping up appearances, how she struggled to trust even though she knew all the right answers, and growing comfortable with her questions. Kara-Kae also shares her journaling practices with her kids and how adopting a son changed her world. Throughout her story, Kara-Kae shows how she creates space for people to be and become themselves. Her story reminds us that God is not daunted by our questions but embraces them and us.

Listen to Kara-Kae’s story in your favorite podcast app now!

Stories Kara-Kae shared:

• Growing up in Oklahoma as a church kid

Great quotes from Kara-Kae:

The church was my safe place.

I can easily tell you all the correct answers even if i’m battling in my mind whether or not I believe them.

Sometimes letting things fall apart and asking hard questions is what will truly transform us.

Resources we mentioned:

• Kara-Kae’s website

Related episodes:

• Karen Gonzalez and the God Who Sees

The post Kara-Kae James and Creating Space appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Craig & Janice Hammersmith are an ordinary couple follow God’s extraordinary vision for their lives. Today, Craig & Janice share their journey from suburban family to working with students in Luxembourg. Craig shares the restlessness he felt working a tech job, how he received Luxembourg citizenship, and the amazing connections that confirmed God’s call on their family. The Hammersmith’s story reminds us that the Lord works with small signs if we are paying attention.

Listen to the Hammersmith’s story today!

Stories Janice & Craig shared:

• Janice growing up in El Paso as a pastor’s kid

Great quotes from Janice and Craig:

We wouldn’t find the big sign. What we saw was a bunch of small signs and a bunch of promises.

Resources we shared:

• Give to the Hammersmiths to help them go to Luxembourg

Related episodes:

• Carol Wilson and Following the Lord’s Lead

The post Craig & Janice Hammersmith and Small Signs & Big Promises appeared first on Eric Nevins.

James Prescott is an author, podcaster, and Twitter boss (he’s always thought-provoking which I admire a great deal). Today, James shares the story of the trauma and grief he suffered by his mother’s sudden hospitalization as a child. When she returned to the family, her faith strengthened his but when she died years later, James began to ask God some questions. James shares his contemplative journey and why he started the Poema podcast. His story reminds us that it’s okay to ask God questions because He often uses them to mature us into his image.

Listen to James’ story in your favorite podcast app now!

Stories James shared:

• The season of grief as we endure a pandemic

Great quotes from James:

This God I believe in is not big enough for me.

I changed how I believe as much as what I believe because how you believe is really important.

Sometimes you can be in pain and not know it

You are not alone. Whatever is going on in your life, you are not alone.

Resources we shared:

• Connect with James on Twitter or his website

Related episodes:

• Ty Wyss and the Kindness of God

The post James Prescott and Processing Grief Well appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Meg Glesener is a mom of eight raising her family in Seattle, a podcaster, and moderator of Christian Podcasters Association. Today, Meg shares growing up in an unsafe environment, how a Christian girl willing to be her friend changed her life, and her passion for the outcast. Meg also shares with us the bittersweet emotions of letting her children grow up and follow their own faith journeys. Everything Meg does is full of joy and compassion for others. Her story reminds us of God’s heart to leave the 99 to pursue the wayward one.

Listen to Meg’s story now in your favorite podcast player!

Stories Meg shared:

• Growing up in Southern California in a non-Christian family

Great quotes from Meg:

From the very beginning of our marriage we wanted to serve the Lord.

When I think of the Lord’s love and mercy and goodness in my own life, how can I not pour that back in?

There’s no perfect parenting. It’s a walk with God.

Resources we mentioned:

• Meg’s website

Related episodes:

• John Swanger Shares Light in Dark Places

The post Meg Glesener and the Smile of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

• Pastoring a church in Silicon Valley

Great quotes from Jay:

I discovered they weren’t looking for someone with answers, they were looking for someone to affirm their questions.

When you go through valleys, the emotion trumps your theology.

Incarnation is by definition analog.

Transformation happens in analog, always and only.

Resources we mentioned:

• Jay’s website

Related episodes:

• ddd

The post Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Gari Meacham is an author, speaker, and founder and CEO of The Vine Uganda, a nonprofit. Today, Gari shares the story of how her family was broken by alcohol, the picture of Jesus that kept her from suicide, and her thirty-eight year marriage to former New York Yankee Bobby Meacham. We talk about the process of rising through the ranks of baseball twice. Plus, Gari shares how her darkest moment led to her greatest ministry.

Listen to Gari’s story in your favorite podcast app, now!

Stories Gari shared:

• Growing up in Colorado in an unbelieving family

Great quotes from Gari:

I am a wild woman for the Lord because I know how real he is.

The great thing about spiritual scar tissue is that it heals stronger than that tissue was before the injury.

God answers every prayer.

Resources we shared:

• Gari’s website

Related episodes:

• Brandy Goebel and Running Back to You

The post Gari Meacham and Hitting Life’s Curveballs appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Tom Schwab is the Chief Evangelist Officer of Interview Valet. Today, Tom shares about growing up in a Roman Catholic family, finding Christ at a men’s retreat, and how he experiences the Lord. Throughout our conversation, Tom comes back to the idea of relationships: with God, with his family, and in business. Tom has a unique approach to life and business by serving those around him and it’s fun to watch. His story reminds us that, in the end, relationships are what matter.

Listen to Tom’s story in your favorite podcast app now!

Stories Tom shared:

• Growing up in suburban Chicago

Great quotes from Tom:

I yelled. God listened. He was patient with me.

There’s a lot of problems in the world today but there’s no better time to be alive.

The richness of my life is the richness of relationships

Resources we mentioned:

• Interview Valet

Related episodes:

• Cyd & Geoff Holsclaw and the God Who Likes You

The post Tom Schwab and the Richness of Relationship appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Cheyenne Olson is spiritual mentor, writer, and podcaster who spends her time with high school and college students. Today, Cheyenne shares the story of how studying theology awakened her love for the Lord, discovering repressed memories of abuse, and the first time the Lord spoke to her about the healing process. Cheyenne has a passion for creating safe spaces for people to meet the Lord vulnerably even if that means 2:00 AM phone calls.  Cheyenne is pressing into her new life as a writer and following where Jesus leads.

Listen to Cheyenne’s story on your favorite podcast app today!

Stories Cheyenne shared:

• Living in the Twin Cities with her family

Great quotes from Cheyenne:

He changed me because he changed the way I thought.

To grow in the faith, start in the Gospels; get to know who Jesus is.

You can’t fall in love with somebody you don’t know.

Resources we mentioned:

• Cheyenne’s website

Related episodes:

• Mary DeMuth and Her Avenue of Healing

The post Cheyenne Olson and the Foundation of Scripture appeared first on Eric Nevins.

• Feeling thankful to have a secure job right now

Great quotes from Erik

Does what you present yourself as match who you are?

I don’t see productivity as a work thing; I see it as a life thing.

I might be that pivot point for someone else.

Resources we mentioned:

• Beyond the To Do List

Related episodes:

• Vicki Proffit and the Encouragement of God

The post Erik Fisher and the Productive Life appeared first on Eric Nevins.