Heroes For Her

“When you walk into a room, if you think everybody is looking at you, you’re putting too much priority on yourself.”   My guest today is Chrys Howard. She is a mother of three (including Duck Dynasty’s Korie Robertson) and has fourteen grandchildren. Over the years she has built a rich history of loving and serving her family, community, and beyond. She was a classroom teacher for 10 years before joining her family’s publishing business (Just like me!).  Seriously, it’s weird how many similarities there are between us. Since I began following her work and ministry projects, I’ve always felt a special connection to her because of her tender heart for children. She’s been working at the same youth summer camp that her daddy founded for decades, and she’s spent the last several years authoring and co-authoring books, devotionals, curriculum, and other resources for families to grow in faith together.   Check out today’s episode, “A Reality Check”, and hear more about an amazing woman who wears many hats and raises her family with courage and conviction.

“Life is a gift. Morality is gratitude.” How we live our life shows how grateful we are for the gifts we’ve been given.”   My guest for today’s episode is Becca Stevens. Becca is many things: an Episcopal priest, author, speaker, and social entrepreneur. She is the founder and President of Thistle Farms, the largest social enterprise in the US run by survivors of prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, on ABC World News, NPR, PBS and she was recently named a 2016 CNN Hero.   For 20 years, Thistle Farms’ mission to heal, empower, and employ has led to profound change in the lives of women survivors, customers, and communities. We are celebrating that, last year, customers and donors helped make the following possible:   ·      59 WOMEN SURVIVORS EMPLOYED BY THISTLE FARMS, EARNED OVER $1M A YEAR IN SALARY AND WAGES ·      9,215 NIGHTS OF SAFE, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROVIDED TO WOMEN RECOVERING FROM LIFE ON THE STREETS ·      14,100 HOURS OF COUNSELING AND THERAPY FOR SURVIVORS, ENSURING THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING  ·      40 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY REPLICATED TF HOUSING MODEL, CURRENTLY OFFERING 185 BEDS FOR WOMEN SEEKING SANCTUARY FROM THE STREETS ·      24 SHARED TRADE PARTNERSHIPS AROUND THE GLOBE, SUPPORTING THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM OF MORE THAN 1,700 WOMEN   Check out today’s episode, “Love’s Healing Power”, and hear first-hand how love is the most powerful force for change in the world. 

“His past faithfulness demands our present trust.”  My guest today is Audrey Roloff. In her own words, Audrey is a combination of raspy loudness, frizzy redness, running craziness, redeemed brokenness, persevering faithfulness, and striving to reflect more of Christlikeness. Her lifestyle blog, Auj Poj, is one of my favorites. It’s a place where she writes about family, faith, and fashion, adventure, and so much more.   Together with her husband Jeremy, she co-founded Beating50Percent whose mission is to inspire marriages that are better than average and to encourage husbands and wives to give more than 50% to their spouse. And some big news: Auj and Jer just found out that they are having a little girl!   Highlights: Audrey and I talked about how Needtobreathe is one of the best bands ever, what it was like having her wedding filmed for television, and the inspiration behind her life mantra: “Always More”.  Check out today’s episode, “Better Than Average”, and find out more about a woman who’s out to inspire others to have a marriage and relationship with Jesus that beat the odds.

“Our job is to build bridges with the people we meet. And, if Jesus so happens to walk across, great. Our job is to love people.”   My guest for today’s episode is Moriah Peters. An amazingly talented singer/ songwriter, Moriah is first a brave and loving young woman who is following God with all her heart.    Moriah grew up outside of Los Angeles in Chino, California – a place known mostly because it’s home to a prison as well as lots of cows. In today’s episode, Moriahshares how she discovered her love of music and that high school was one of the best times in her entire life. After a surprising American Idol audition, she ended up moving to Nashville at 17 to pursue a career in music. She fell in love with and married Joel Smallbone of the band For KING & Country in 2013 (If you haven’t heard Joel’s interview on our podcast, he’s Episode 26!). One year later she released her sophomore album, “Brave”. A few of Rooney’s favorites from this album include “You Carry Me” and “Know Us By Our Love”.      Check out today’s episode, “Bravery and Bridges”, and hear the story of an amazing young woman who’s working to help the next generation rise up and let go of fear: a generation “whose time has come to break free of what prevents them from changing this world, a generation that has been called to be BRAVE!”   

My guest today is Heather Lindsey. Heather is a speaker, author, first lady of The Gathering Oasis Church and founder of Pinky Promise – a non-profit organization that encourages women to honor God with their life and body. You can find her amazing blog at heatherllindsey.com. There she encourages women to be bold in their faith, walk in their calling and cut off ungodly relationships. Her books, Pink Lips & Empty Hearts, Dusty Crowns, A Perfect Recipe, The Runaway Bride and The Purpose Room encourage women to say yes to God in a no society and to pursue Christ with their whole life. In this episode, Heather shares her personal testimony and the journey she’s taken to grow closer to God. She talks about how the Pinky Promise Movement started when she had the idea to create a few simple bracelets that women could wear to remind them of their worth. Since then it has grown to more than 50,000 members in over 300 countries. The 2017 Heart to Heart Pinky Promise Conference is coming up in July, and this year’s keynote speaker is former Heroes For Her guest, Lisa Bevere! Listen to today’s episode, “Flipping Donkeys”, and hear all about Heather discovered early her entrepreneurial spirit and how she’s learned to focus on her Savior, not her own success.

"Just keep going."    My guest today is Amy R. Buckley. Amy is a writer, speaker, and activist. She has contributed to several books including Strengthening Families and Ending Abuse, Churches and Their Leaders Look to the Future and Overcomer: Breaking Down the Walls of Shame and Rebuilding Your Soul. Most recently, she finished a chapter on biblical modesty for the forthcoming book Dating During the Apocalypse, and Other Conversations On God, Sex, and Life.  Amy founded the Stop the Silence Initiative as an editor for SheLoves.com, bringing to light domestic and sexual violence in Christian communities. She serves on the board of Life Together International, empowering church leaders to build strong communities in Uganda and the US. Amy lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and two daughters. Do not miss today's episode, "Keep Going" and be encouraged to continue on, with fortitude and faith.   

“You are worth more than many sparrows.”  -Matthew 10:31   My guest today is Rachel Joy. Rachel is a wife and mama to four beautiful children (Addison, Benjamin, Everett, and new baby Annie). Rachel has lead and taught Bible studies for over fifteen years, and it is her passion to see young women come to the powerful, saving grace and knowledge of Jesus. After hosting a college women’s Bible study in 2010, God began to stir in Rachel a desire to gather young women together on a larger scale hear and study the Bible and to help them develop a fixed identity in Christ. She prayed through and developed the idea and, with the help of an amazing support team, the first Sparrow Conference was held in Denton, Texas in the fall of 2012.   In today’s episode, you’ll hear Rachel’s heart and passion for the work she does, as well as all the details about this year’s conference. The theme is “Draw Near” and the lineup of speakers is nothing short of spectacular.   Enjoy today’s episode, “Drawing Near”, and listen to the incredible story of a woman following her heart, listening for God, and stepping into a calling that is blessing people across the miles.

Kari is a blogger, author, speaker, and newspaper columnist from Birmingham, Alabama. Her work has been featured on The Huffington Post, TODAY Parents, and other national outlets. Kari’s first book, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, has been used widely across the country by teen youth groups and small groups to empower girls through faith. Her new book is called Liked: Whose approval are you living for?   I first came across Kari’s work when I read her 2014 Huffington Post blog “Raising a Kind Daughter”.  Rooney was born that same year. I think it struck me because, well, I want deeply to raise a daughter who is secure enough in who she is that she treats others with love and respect. I pray for that.   Kari is a mom to four daughters, so she understands the need for clear expectations and a well-founded plan for social media. I absolutely loved our conversation because Kari broke down really simple ways that we can set our girls up for success on social media and not shy away from the conversations that need to be had and led by us. Highlights for me include how to keep posts and comments positive online and healthy ways to process negative emotions when our girls come across something online that makes them feel hurt, sad, or uncomfortable.     Check out today’s episode “Liked vs. Loved” and learn how to help your girl understand that her value lies in her identity as a child of God. She is loved and that’s worth so much more than being liked.  

“Live the life you were created to live.” My guest today is Alli Worthington. Alli Worthington is the author of Breaking Busy: Finding Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy, speaker, and the Executive Director of Propel Women.    Alli lives with her husband Mark and their five sons (Wow!) right outside of Nashville. In this episode, we talked country living, what it’s like for her being the only girl in the house,  and how writing is a whole lot less glamorous than people think. I loved hearing about why Alli felt called into the work she does and how she relies on friends who tell her the truth when she needs to adjust things on her end. Don’t we all need that?   Check out today’ episode, “A Clean Break From Busy,” and learn how to stop chasing what leaves you empty and start doing what you were created to do.  

  “If you want to lead people, you’ve got learn how to love them.”   My guest today is Jenni Catron. Jenni is a writer, speaker, and leadership expert committed to helping others lead from their extraordinary best.  Her passion is to lead well and to inspire, equip and encourage others to do the same. She speaks at conferences and churches nationwide, seeking to help others develop their leadership gifts and lead confidently in the different spheres of influence God has granted them.   Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, Jenni is the author of several books including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence and The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership. She’s also spent the last few months traveling around as part of Propel Women’s battery of powerhouse speakers!    Check out today's episode, "Lead With Love", and hear what Jenni has to say about the incredible opportunity we have as parents to lead in our homes and be the ones to grow and develop the next generation of leaders who love.