What is your definition of healthy leadership as a woman in ministry?

Have you ever felt like the health of your leadership role is impacted by the health of your marriage?

 

You might be wondering what leadership and marriage have to do with the focus of our ministry at More to Be, and that is completely understandable. While we know that everyone in our tribe is not in leadership role nor married, a good bit of y'all come our way looking for resources to share with the ministries you lead while also seeking out spiritual nourishment and biblical encouragement for yourself.

So on this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I invited my good friend, Esther Littlefield to share her story and passion for Christian women in leadership and healthy Christian marriages with us. As a pastor's wife and ministry leader, Esther knows the pressure quite well. Her own experiences inspired her creation of a marriage course at EstherLittlefield.com as well as the creation of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast.

While we kick off the episode talking about our mastermind group (suggestions below for starting your own), we quickly transition into the story of Esther's life and faith. Our conversation naturally flows into the tension found between being a natural leader and cultivating a healthy marriage. Esther's wisdom, as well as insights into Scripture, will surely bless you. No matter where you are in your life today, you'll be encouraged to press on in the hope of Christ and see God use your gifts and talents according to His purposes.

 

 

Scripture Focus

• Philippians 1:6

Notable Links & Mentions

• Grab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.
• Use the More to Be Podcast Reflection Guide to turn this episode into your own personal Bible study.
• Get to know Esther Littlefield at EstherLittlefield.com
• Listen to the Relationship Series on the  Christian Woman Leadership Podcast.
• Mastermind Structure:
• Bi-Monthly Meetings
• Everyone shares a win.
• One person on the hot seat.
• Everyone shares a goal.
• Everyone shares a resource.

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.

To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you feel like you're supposed to read your Bible and have a quiet time?

Are you drawn into devotional time with the Lord, but sometimes it just doesn't seem to amount to much?

Have you felt like being a "Bible girl" ought to earn you brownie points with God, even though you know that isn't the way it works?

 

On this episode of the More to Be Podcast, Kalie Kelch and I circle back around to consider the importance of studying God's Word. With King Solomon as our guide, as we consider his wisdom in Ecclesiastes, we wrestle through the way suffering is a part of life while recognizing the opportunity to embrace joy and hope through our work and relationships. We jump from the Old Testament to the New Testament, finding a fresh perspective from John for pursuing an abiding relationship with God made accessible through Jesus, landing on love as the motivator of our lives. Grab your Bibles and get ready for an on-the-good study of Truth that will transform your thinking today.

Scripture Focus

• Ecclesiastes
• John 17

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.

To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it looking like to choose joy in the middle of suffering?

How can you find joy again after losing those closest to you?

We tackle these questions and more on this episode of the More to Be Podcast. I'm joined by the founder of the Choose Joy Foundation, Laura Pedersen, which was established in honor of her sister, Sara Frankl. Some of you might remember joy advocate, Sara, as the blogger chronicling her faith alongside her journey with a debilitating illness and necessary isolation, at Gitzen Girl. 

At the age of 38, Sara went home to be with the Lord, and her sister, Laura, took up the mantle of carrying her Choose Joy message forward, all the while putting into practice what Sara preached as she faced a battle with breast cancer.

It was an honor to spend time with Laura and unpack the promises found in God's Word. We talked about what it looks like to live out our faith as spiritual beings in human bodies committed to kingdom work. You'll walk away from this episode not only encouraged by the wisdom Laura shares but encouraged by her retelling of her sister's and father's faith. This family leads with the Word as their banner. May we all take note and commit to doing the same.

 

Scripture Focus

• Psalm 46:10
• Romans 8

Notable Links & Mentions

• Grab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.
• Use the More to Be Podcast Reflection Guide to turn this episode into your own personal Bible study.
• Brave Together: Devoted to God and Each Other
• Learn more about our Life Coach Training course.
• Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts, by Sarah Frankl and Mary Carver
• Choose Joy Foundation, led by Laura Pedersen
• Discover how to pursue holy wholeness with Holy Whole: Guiding You Into Wellness Through Wholehearted Devotion to God.

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.

To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really look like to live brave in our faith?

Can we actually apply the Scriptures to everyday life?

What needs to shift in our habits so that our actions reflect what we say we believe about God and His Word?

 In this episode of the More to Be Podcast, Kalie Kelch joins me again for a chat about what it looks like to apply the Scriptures in good days and bad, when we're feeling beat up by the enemy and ready to fight like the warrior God made us to be.

It shouldn't be a surprise that just as we were getting ready to record, I found myself in a situation where I had to preach to my own soul the very truths and principles we talk about in this episode, which was inspired by our reading of Brave Together: Devoted to God and Each Other in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group (you can join in any time).

 

So maybe, as you listen to our conversation and study of Scripture, you'll find these familiar verses fall afresh on you. And maybe, you'll decide to bookmark this episode for when the battle is fierce and your stand needs to be strong against the enemy's fiery darts.

Sister, we're in this together. Indeed, we are braver together.

 

Scripture Focus

• 2 Corinthians 10:5
• Romans 12:2
• Hosea 14:2
• Psalm 5:3, 66:18
• Philippians 4:8

Notable Links & Mentions

• Grab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.
• Use the More to Be Podcast Reflection Guide to turn this episode into your own personal Bible study.
• Brave Together: Devoted to God and Each Other
• Learn more about our Life Coach Training course.
• Learn more about our Mentor Training course.
• Discover how to pursue holy wholeness with Holy Whole: Guiding You Into Wellness Through Wholehearted Devotion to God.
• Meet the New You
• The Wayfinding Bible
• Alphabet of Praise Cards
• The Love Exchange by Margaret Therkelsen
• Interested in learning more about Thieves? Message Elisa on Facebook or use the contact form to the left!

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.

To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you given up hope on saving your marriage?

Do you feel like you'll never figure out how to be in a healthy relationship with your spouse?

Would you like to help an extended family member or friend rescue their marriage?

While the focus of our ministry at More to Be isn't solely on marriages, the state of marriages certainly impacts our kingdom-focused ministry. So on this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I've invited my good friend Cherie Zack, founder of Fighting for Your Marriage, to share with us her story

and why she started a ministry devoted to helping wives fight for their marriages. She offers us not only hope through unraveling the details of her journey but a tremendously valuable perspective on how to allow God to work in our hearts before we expect Him to work in our husbands. 

I also share a part of my story as it relates to my own marriage and how God took me at the most desperate moment and reroute my vision as a wife through a divine appointment.

This episode is filled with encouragement and practical insight, but there is one problem! The recording is not great due to a poor internet connection and a tech snafu. So, I hope you'll push through the listening challenge to glean the wisdom Cherie offers. 

Scripture Focus

• Psalm 27
• Psalm 46:10

Notable Links & Mentions

• Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands
• Love & Respect
• Connect with Cherie Zack at CherieZack.com and learn more about 200strong.org
• Grab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.
• Core Values for Couples

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.

To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does the idea of accountability scare the daylights out of you?

Are you craving accountability, but not sure how to cultivate it?

Do you struggle to get real with others, afraid that they may not be able to handle you?

Maybe you feel like it's not fair to "put that" on someone else.

 

We all come from different perspectives when it comes to sharing our personal struggles, especially with sin. But the Scriptures are clear that we are supposed to confess our sins one to another so that we may be healed. So what exactly does confession look like? Who are we supposed to trust with our struggle? How are we supposed to respond?

In this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I'm joined by Kalie Kelch as we unpack the beauty of biblically-steeped accountability relationships. We consider every perspective, from how to go about sharing and what we can do to respond well. We also consider the biblical mandate along with promises for being in real, impactful relationships with other believers.

We chat about what it looks like in business, ministry, and our personal lives, especially in friendship and in parenting. But that's not all! We consider the reality of our sin, the importance of confessing it, and wrestling through the call to pray for each other and our sins. And we share our struggle when those we love and have prayed for haven't been healed on earth. 

 

Scripture Focus

• Genesis 8
• James 5
• Matthew 6

Notable Links & Mentions

• Grab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.
• Use the More to Be Podcast Reflection Guide to turn this episode into your own personal Bible study.
• Learn more about our Life Coach Training course.
• Learn more about our Mentor Training course.
• Discover how to pursue holy wholeness with Holy Whole: Guiding You Into Wellness Through Wholehearted Devotion to God.
• Interested in learning more about Thieves? Message Elisa on Facebook!

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.

To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it possible to find joy in the small things? The boring chores? The tedious tasks that demand our attention?

Can we really learn to do whatever God has called us with joy, even if it isn't the least bit glamorous?

If that is your struggle, tune into this episode of the More to Be Podcast and be inspired to find joy with Jesus in the small things.

 

On this episode, I'm joined by friend and fellow writer, Asheritah Ciuciui for a chat about missional work and motherhood. Asheritah is a writer and speaker passionate about leading women to find joy in Jesus, which is what she does daily at OneThingAlone.com. In this episode, she shares her story of growing up overseas, falling in love, surrendering her ministry dreams, and yielding to God's work. She always had a passion to be writer and majored in English in college, but didn't know how it would happen. She began blogging during her first pregnancy and confesses the hardness of transition.

In our heart-to-heart conversation, Asheritah also relays how she's practicing her faith in her motherhood journey while balancing the passion and pull of missional work. So grab your clean load of laundry needing some folding and a sharpie marker. There's something you might want to put into practice after listening to our conversation, no matter what season in life you find yourself.

  

Scripture Focus

• Mary & Martha
• Colossians 3

Notable Links & Mentions

• One Thing Alone
• Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction
• Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional 
• He is Enough: Living in the Fullness of Jesus (A Study in Colossians)
• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Work in a Distracted World
• 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You
• Beth Moore's post retelling about Priscilla Shirer's words of truth!
• Grab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.

To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional 20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you struggle with worry and anxious thoughts?

Are you concerned that you might be headed for a clinical diagnosis, but don't really want to find out because you're afraid they might put you on medicine?

Is your loved one in the battle of bullying back the debilitating lies anxiety wields their way each day? Do you worry that you're not doing the right thing to help them?

You're not alone. 

Did you know that 44% of the women who responded to our More to Be survey confess they struggle with anxiety and worry and 45% are overwhelmed by their responsibilities?

Which is why this episode of the More to Be Podcast is focusing entirely on the real truth about anxiety and practical ideas for battling anxiety.

It is safe to say we’re not living out our faith in the day to day in the way we want it to manifest. Nearly half of our tribe is feeling trapped, overwhelmed, and anxious. And, here’s the scary statistic, sisters — it’s not reflective of just the millennials amongst us because our tribe is made of women primarily in their 40s and 50s. Somehow we’ve crossed the middle-aged mark but haven’t figured out how to live that fully abundant life filled with peace and joy God promises. So what gives? 

What hope is there for us to become anxious-free women who are fulfilled in their present life, especially so that we can model that for the next generation we’re impacting?

I know, deep questions. So today we’re going to dive into practical steps for dealing with our anxiousness and worry.

When I say practical, I don’t just mean read your Bible more and pray, but rather seek out professional help and engage your body in the stewardship of your mental health.

The more we recognize what we can do to reduce our anxiety, the better prepared we’ll be able to help a generation struggling with anxiety and depression.

 

Practical Ideas Mentioned

1. Get Professional Help -- Doctors and Counselors
2. Take Captive Thoughts
3. Bully the Lies
4. Create a Worry Box
5. Write Down Your Worries
6. Pick a Worry Time
7. Using Essential Oils to Engage a New Response
8. Breathing Techniques, such as the 4-Square
9. Engaging Your Five Senses
10. Create a Bedtime Routine
11. Get Off the Screens
12. Reduce Sugar and Processed Food
13. Regulate Yourself to Help Your Child
14. Start Small
15. Pray for God to Give You Direction
16. Don't Let the Lid Off the Can Late at Night

Scripture Focus

• Philippians 4

Notable Links & Mentions

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• Letting Go of Perfect by Leah Pulliam
• Give God Everything {Including Your Anxiety} with Jessica Smartt
• 40 Bible Verses to Calm an Anxious Heart {Free Download}
• Help for When You’re Dealing with Anxiety 
• Using Oils to Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety {Feel free to drop Elisa a message about this!}
• Three Ways to Help Your Teen Struggling with Anxiety
• Learn More about Essential Oils with Elisa Pulliam
• Find Out About the Oils to Manage Stress in Elisa's Simplified Wellness Facebook Group
• Fasting from Sugar, Feasting on Jesus Podcast with Wendy Speake
• #dontsugaralone
• Whole30 Journey with Elisa Pulliam
• Holy Whole Resource
• Grab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.

To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you lived in fear of losing those you love the most?

Do you ever wonder how someone emerges from a tragic event and not completely turn their heart against God?

Maybe you're that person who has suffered the unimaginable and still can't come to terms with your new normal.

Maybe years have passed and no matter how hard you try, God is out there somewhere. He's not personal to you. He's not real. He's not present.

No matter where you find yourself today in your faith as you process the circumstances and losses in your life, I urge you to listen to this podcast with my special guest, Abby Rike Rockenbaugh.

I'm not going to tell you one piece of her story in advance (and don't go Googling her either). Just tune in. Listen with an open heart and mind. Find a few tissues, if you're a crier like me, and carve out space to really soak up this episode.

Abby's words are filled with wisdom and hope, sincerity and authenticity.

You'll be blessed no matter your age or stage. You'll be inspired no matter where you've been and where you are going. This episode on Discovering God's Sufficient Grace is not to be missed. It will be on replay every time I face a battle in the future. 

 

 

God tells us that His grace is sufficient in our weakness, but He doesn't give us participant's grace. - Abby

We're not in a competition for who wins the worst situation award. - Abby

In the pit, there is hope. - Abby

Anything apart from God is just a thing. - Abby

The Word is what motivates the heart to go in a new direction. - Elisa

Until your heart is right, you can never be good enough. - Abby

My family is safer in God's arms then with me. - Abby

If God is who He says He is, am I willing to lay down my treasure here so that more might know Him? - Abby

The story isn't in the sorrow, it's in the redemption. - Elisa

You can fake a smile, but you can't fake joy. - Abby

God is faithful. He is good. No, you may not get what you want. Your circumstances may not change. - Abby

We are more than conquerors through Christ. We are not victims. - Abby

Every time the enemy ear-worms you and tells you this is hard and unfair, you take that thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. That's the choice we have. - Abby

We're called to live as warriors, not passive in this battle for joy. - Elisa

The more you know God's love, the more you trust Him. - Elisa

God choose death to bring life. - Elisa

Go for the long game in terms of filling up the storehouse of Scripture in your mind. - Elisa

 

 

Scripture Focus

• 2 Corinthians 12:9
• 1 Corinthians 10:5
• Romans 5
• Matthew 24

Notable Links & Mentions

• Esther Littlefield's Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
• A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser
• The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
• The Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers
• Life Application Study Bible in the New Living Translation
• Jesus Centered Bible in the New Living Translation
• RockThis.org with Abby Rike Rockenbaugh
• SpeakingForBloggers.com 
• AbbyRike.com 
• Grab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.

To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you as excited as we are about kicking off season three of the More to Be Podcast?

What a moment to celebrate God's faithfulness and provision since beginning the podcast in January 2018. It's a privilege to serve you this way and we look forward to bringing you Scripture-steeped episodes to help you think biblically and live transformed.

For Season 3, you can expect a new, 45 to 55-minute episode released every other week. We decided that in our busy lives, finding an extra hour to listen to an episode every week is pretty hard to do. However, if you're an every week kind of gal, we encourage you to go back to the beginning and re-listening to all the episodes as your time allows! Be sure to let us know how the Holy Spirit reveals to you something brand new!

 

On this first episode of season 3, Kalie Kelch joins me again to chat about where we've been, where we're going, and how to live to brave together with each other . . . specifically, how we're using Brave Together as our study guide in the More to Be Tribe Facebook group this year. If you've not yet joined us, we'd love to have you jump on in here!

In this episode, I also unpack the beautiful of biblical mentoring and fostering parakaleo relationships peer to peer and older to younger. We head back to Titus 2 for a refresher on mentoring as well as diving into the description of what church should look like in Acts 2 and then turn to Romans 12 unpack how to live out love with one another. This episode will cast a vision for how you can grow even more devoted to God and those He has perfectly placed in your life. 

  

Scripture Focus

• Titus 2
• Acts 2
• Romans 12

Notable Links & Mentions

• Grab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.
• Brave Together: Devoted to God and Each Other by Elisa Pulliam
• Impact Together: Biblical Mentoring Simplified by Elisa Pulliam
• Join us for the Biblical Mentor Training Program
• Becoming Holy Whole: Because Wellness is a Spiritual Matter by Elisa Pulliam
• Learn more about the Holy Whole Coaching Program, Challenge Group, and Resources
• More to Be Sisterhood Circle
• Join the Sugar Fast with WendySpeake.com/sugar/

Share & Bless

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify

If you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.

Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood Circle

We invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales. To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.