Author Heather Kaufman shares how her upcoming biblical fiction book, "On Living Stone: Salome's Story," challenged her (and gave her all the feels) as a mom - plus, the story behind her "Women of the Way" series, and the book that impacted her the most as a young reader.

-Preorder Heather Kaufman’s “On Living Stone: Salome’s Story” at https://www.hmkstories.com/onlivingstone 

-Follow Heather on Facebook and Instagram @hmkstories 

-Follow “Oh My Word with Katie” on Facebook and Instagram @ohmywordpod

-Other books mentioned on this episode:

• Mara, Daughter of the Nile, by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
• Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul, by Hannah Anderson
• The Gateway Trilogy, by Crystal D. Grant
• Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You, by James Macarthur
• The Training of the Twelve: How Jesus Christ Found and Taught the 12 Apostles, by A.B. Bruce

Want to transform your Bible-reading journey this year? Listen as Dr. Ben Gladd, co-editor of the Connecting Scripture New Testament, discusses how the Bible is one big story, how many *thousands* of times the New Testament references the old - and how reading the Bible can make us better readers in general.

Order the Connecting Scripture New Testament: https://us.amazon.com/Connecting-Single-Column-Cross-Reference-Color-Coded-Introductions/dp/B0DT8KQK6C 

It's the Season 4 finale, and what better way to end than with the UNCUT version of the most downloaded episode of the season! Getting a full ride to the University of Oxford was amazing - then she discovered Jesus. Listen as author and literature professor Dr. Carolyn Weber shares her journey from agnostic to Christian and what she learned along the way.

Starting New Year’s Day 2026, “Oh My Word with Katie” will focus on interviewing Christian writers, providing amazing book recommendations, and marveling at all the ways God shows up in words and stories. I plan to cover Christian romance, study Bibles, and everything in between. Take a listen and get excited!

Follow OMW on Instagram, on Facebook, and on YouTube. 

Author and speaker Scarlet Hiltibidal had already been through a lot when she decided to write her latest book, "Hopeful-ish" - then she found out she was unexpectedly pregnant, and her mom's cancer returned. Listen as Scarlet shares how Jesus has met her with hope during life's hard and beautiful seasons. 

• Hear Scarlet speak LIVE in Madison, Mississippi, December 9, 2025: https://www.broadmoor.org/event/womens-christmas-gathering-2/
• Order "Hopeful-ish": https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/hopeful-ish-P005850108
• Follow Scarlet: https://www.scarlethiltibidal.com/

Katie's 2025 fiction recommendations: 

• Theo of Golden: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Theo-of-Golden/Allen-Levi/9781668236567
• Wormwood Abbey: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CNTTYVTS?tag=books2read02-20
• Persuasion: Read free at Project Gutenberg, or order a copy: https://www.amazon.com/Persuasion-Jane-Austen/dp/0451526384
• Crime and Punishment: Read free at Project Gutenberg, or order a copy: https://www.amazon.com/Punishment-Penguin-Classics-Fyodor-Dostoyevsky/dp/0140449132

In 2023, Barbie Bassett was fired from her job at a local news station for unknowingly using inappropriate phrases on air. The scandal went viral around the world as Barbie endured severe online backlash - including from fellow Christians. Watch as she shares about going to counseling for the first time, how the past two years have affected her family, and how God has sustained her. 

Proof that God often uses the “worst” events in our lives to shape our future purpose, Josh Woodward shares about his dad almost dying of Marfan syndrome, his own Marfan’s diagnosis, and why he almost became a doctor “out of spite” - but found a better path instead. 

For more information on Mississippi ABLE - the program Josh runs that allows Mississippians with disabilities to save money without sacrificing government benefits - visit https://www.mdrs.ms.gov/public-information/mississippi-able. 

What are the hopes, dreams, and fears of today’s college freshmen? Katie talked with Emma LeRoy, a Mississippi Christian Living scholarship winner and college freshman at Lee University, to find out what makes her excited about college, what she was dreading at the time of this recording, and why she can trust the Lord with all of it - plus, her encouragement for her peers! 

What do you do when your life implodes? Listen as Lauren Egger shares how God revived her marriage, her mission, and her faith after she and her husband hit rock bottom. Trigger warning: Two separate mentions of suicidality. No specific methods or details are discussed. 

How do you navigate college while making quality friendships, caring for your mental health, and figuring out what your next chapter looks like? Counselor Kristin Odom shares her own experience, plus encouragement for young people and those who want to love them well.