Faith meets real life in this heartfelt summer catch-up episode where Jess and Steph tackle life's unexpected turns with honesty, vulnerability, and plenty of laughter.

Jess opens up about her upcoming knee replacement surgery - initially bringing tears not of relief but of concern about letting others down. After suffering with knee pain for five years, she's reached a turning point where health has become her priority. Watch out world - there's a new knee on the horizon that needs a name!

Meanwhile, Steph shares how her husband Mike's job loss became an unexpected blessing, opening the door for him to pursue certification as a home inspector - a perfect fit for his naturally curious personality. Their story beautifully illustrates how God works behind the scenes during difficult seasons, ordering our steps toward purposes we can't yet see.

Through stories of loss, transition, and unexpected joy, a powerful message emerges: God's faithfulness runs through every challenging season. For parents sending children to school or college this fall, they offer this comforting reminder: "God loves your children far more than you do."

Join Jess and Steph for this refreshingly honest conversation about finding God in life's messiness, and discover why valleys aren't dead ends—they're pathways to new beginnings God has prepared especially for you.

Summer sunshine brings a brief pause to the Jesus Fix It podcast as hosts Jess and Steph check in with listeners during their mid-summer break. The Spirit FM team has been extraordinarily busy with community events, though Jess reveals she's been sidelined by knee problems that may require surgery soon.

Despite the temporary hiatus, excitement bubbles beneath the surface as the hosts share glimpses of what's coming next month. They've already lined up guests and identified compelling topics for deep, meaningful conversations when they return. But true to their listener-centered approach, they're reaching out to hear what's on your mind right now.

"What's going on in your world?" Steph asks, inviting listeners to shape future episodes with their questions and concerns. The hosts hint at exploring the challenges of parenting teenagers while navigating midlife issues — a reality many listeners face simultaneously. Whether you're wrestling with personal growth, family dynamics, cultural shifts, or faith questions, they want to create space for those discussions. Connect via email at [email protected] or text 888-774-7482 to suggest topics or receive a personal call back from either host. Until next month, they encourage everyone to embrace summer joys, savor good food, and enjoy life's pleasures even amid its inevitable challenges. The Jesus Fix It podcast returns in August, refreshed and ready for conversations that matter.

The conversation continues with a challenging question: How do we love those claiming Christianity while living lifestyles contradicting biblical teachings? Pastor Tate responds with grace-filled wisdom: "Sanctification is a process. I believe there are people who are genuine followers of Jesus Christ who are still jacked up in their sin." This perspective sets the stage for a remarkable story of unconventional ministry.

This powerful episode challenges listeners to step beyond comfortable ministry approaches and meet people exactly where they are—with unwavering biblical truth wrapped in authentic relationship. You'll be inspired to see evangelism not as a religious obligation but as "one beggar telling another beggar where he found food."

Whether you're questioning your faith, feeling stuck in ministry, or simply seeking inspiration, this conversation provides both practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement for connecting with others in meaningful ways. Ready to transform how you share your faith? This episode is your starting point.

Wrestling with how to love someone living contrary to biblical teaching while maintaining your faith convictions may be one of the most challenging situations Christians face today. 

Pastor Jonge Tate joins us to tackle this difficult conversation with wisdom, grace, and biblical clarity. What begins as a discussion about a real situation in their church community quickly reveals that multiple families are navigating these exact waters with their loved ones. This isn't happening "out there" - it's happening within our churches and families.

Through thoughtful dialogue, we explore what it means to hold firmly to biblical truth while extending genuine, Christ-like love. Pastor Jonge draws our attention to Jesus himself, who regularly dined with society's outcasts while never compromising truth. The question becomes not whether to engage, but how to engage as faithful representatives of Christ.

We tackle practical questions too: How do we maintain relationship without compromising conviction? And perhaps most importantly, we examine our own misconceptions about our role in others' salvation journeys. As Jess vulnerably shares her attempts to "make" a friend accept Jesus by hiding Bibles in his car, Pastor Jonge gently redirects: "Can you even make him change?"

Don't miss part two dropping next Monday where we continue this important conversation about living as salt and light in a complex world.

Your mental health matters to God. This raw, heartfelt conversation peels back the layers of shame and stigma that often prevent Christians from seeking the help they desperately need.

Jess courageously shares her darkest moments as a newly divorced single mom—days spent hiding under covers, barely functioning, believing her depression was simply something to "get over." The turning point came through a song on Spirit FM that reminded her she was redeemed and deserving of more than endless days of despair. When she finally sought help, her pastor's affirming words—"Jesus and therapy go hand in hand"—opened the door to a decade-long healing journey.

Steph adds her perspective as someone who needed therapy to process sexual abuse trauma, highlighting how professional help enabled her to work through forgiveness and understand that her experience didn't diminish her worth. Together, they explore how biblical figures like Elijah, David, and even Jesus himself experienced profound emotional distress, proving that mental health struggles aren't evidence of spiritual failure.

Whether you're struggling yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers permission to embrace all the resources God provides for mental wellness. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that loving Jesus and seeing a therapist can absolutely go hand in hand.

We tackle a topic that's often judged or ignored in women's circles: it's okay to not want to be a mom. Society places enormous pressure on women to have children, but nearly half of childless adults in America say they never want kids – and that number is growing.

• Jess's sister knew early on that motherhood wasn't for her, though she's a loving aunt and nurturing in other ways
• Steph shares her personal experience of never wanting children, even from a young age
• Recent Pew Research shows 47% of childless adults don't expect to have children, up 10% since 2018
• We explore how women often judge other women for choosing not to have children
• Many women nurture through other means - mentoring, creativity, supporting community
• Discussion of the tension between those struggling with infertility and those choosing to remain childless
• Support for women navigating pregnancy decisions through resource centers and church ministries
• Recognition that everyone's journey is different and deserves respect

Whether you're a mom, an auntie, a teacher, a friend, or simply you – your identity is not limited to motherhood.

We explore the significance of Easter as a season of renewal and what it means to let Jesus breathe new life into areas of our lives that seem beyond repair. Through personal stories and biblical insights, we discuss how pride often prevents us from experiencing restoration and why sometimes feeling the hurt is necessary for healing.

Do you have relationships that seem beyond repair? Projects abandoned on the shelf? Habits you continually struggle with? We're getting vulnerable about the things we keep trying to fix ourselves rather than surrendering to Jesus. Steph bravely shares about a decade-long family rift with her cousin that God has been nudging her to address since the beginning of the year. Despite knowing reconciliation is needed, pride keeps her holding on—a struggle many of us understand all too well.

What are you refusing to release? What would happen if you stopped picking back up what you've supposedly laid at Jesus' feet? This is your season of renewal. For such a time as this, you've been given another opportunity to start fresh. The question is—will you take it?

In this episode, Jess and Stephanie get real about the crazy world of dating for women over 35. From navigating double standards and uncomfortable questions to the strange misunderstandings that often arise, they share candid thoughts on what it's really like to date at this stage in life. And, of course, no conversation would be complete without a
deep dive into the world of Christian dating apps. They tackle everything from ghosting to the balance between waiting on God and taking action in your own dating life. Stick around for a heartfelt moment at the end.

What happens when men drop the tough-guy act and actually show up for each other? In this eye-opening conversation with guest Ben, we dive deep into what authentic male friendship looks like beyond surface-level church groups.

Ben shares the moving origin story of his unusual men's group, which began in 2008 when he committed to weekly meetings with a friend whose wife had died by suicide. Dominoes and baseball games evolved into a brotherhood of five men who've carried each other through cancer diagnoses, deaths of spouses, raising children with special needs, and career struggles. Unlike typical men's ministry breakfasts, these guys embody what Scripture means by "a cord of three strands is not quickly broken" - becoming what Ben calls "the guys who would dig through the roof" to get their friend to Jesus.

Whether you're struggling to find meaningful male friendships, wondering how to support the men in your life, or simply curious about how faith communities can better serve men's emotional needs, this episode offers practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement. As Ben powerfully asks: Who's going to dig through the roof for you when life falls apart? 

Celebrating Women's History Month by honoring the remarkable women who've shaped both world history and our personal journeys. From Susan B. Anthony securing our right to vote to Rosa Parks standing firm for justice in 1955 to Amelia Earhart breaking aviation barriers in 1932, these historical trailblazers remind us of the relatively recent struggles women faced for basic rights and opportunities.

But perhaps more powerful than these renowned figures are the personal heroines who've shaped our individual stories. We share touching stories about women like "Miss Shirley," who despite tremendous hardship radiates joy and embodies the phrase "I don't look like what I've been through," and "Lisa," who became a crucial mentor during those difficult adolescent years when parental guidance was automatically rejected. These women—alongside the grandmothers who prayed for us, the mothers who supported us, and the friends who spoke truth to us—have formed the backbone of our faith journeys and personal development.

The devastating power of negative words can't be overstated, especially for young women navigating their identities. Childhood comments can leave wounds we carry for decades, which is precisely why strong female mentors who speak life and truth become so crucial. They help counter the destructive messages that bombard us daily. We explore how women can better support one another, particularly in divisive areas like politics, where women who've fought twice as hard to earn their positions sometimes resort to tearing each other down rather than modeling respectful disagreement.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that "Two are better than one; if either falls, one can help the other up." This Women's History Month, let's celebrate by intentionally supporting the women in our lives, creating space for meaningful connection, and speaking words that build up rather than tear down. Your encouragement might be someone's turning point.