She Speaks Stories

From the outside, Jody Allen and her husband looked like the average Christian couple—raising a family, serving in church, and building a life together. Behind closed doors, however, Jody was facing the painful reality of her husband's pornography addiction, deception, and betrayal. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to ask him to leave, beginning a journey through separation, divorce, grief, and healing.

Jody joins Katie and Julianne for an honest conversation about releasing shame, staying grounded in Scripture, finding wise counseling, accepting help from Christian community, and learning to grieve the life she envisioned.

Today, Jody uses her story to encourage other women with a message of hope: even if your marriage doesn't make it, your life can still be good. Pain and addiction don't have to have the final word. With God, there can be healing, purpose, and even flourishing on the other side.

Her book: Hidden Heartache

What happens when grief doesn't come one loss at a time—but in layers?

Author Jen Conrad joins Katie and Cindy to share about a season of compound grief that included the sudden loss of her family's business and financial security, broken friendships, the heartbreak of being unable to bring home their adopted children from Sierra Leone, and the devastating death of her mother.

For a long time, Jen believed grieving was a sign of weakness. So she kept moving, stayed busy, and tried to numb the pain rather than face it. But through journaling, honest conversations with God, and learning to be still enough to listen, she began discovering that God hadn't left her in the trenches—He was meeting her there.

Jen's story, and her book Finding God in the Trenches, remind us that we don't have to reach the other side of our pain before God can work in it. There may still be unanswered questions and unfinished chapters, but we are never too far gone for Jesus to reach us.

Jen's book: Finding God in the Trenches

Tracey Smith spent years searching for the love, security, and sense of worth she longed for. When she reached a place where she no longer wanted to live, she prayed for a child—someone she could pour her love into. God answered with her beautiful daughter, Treasury. Then, at just three years old, Treasury was diagnosed with leukemia.

In this deeply moving conversation with Katie and Cindy, Tracey shares the heartbreaking journey of losing her four-year-old daughter and the defining moment when her grief became the beginning of a deeper relationship with God. Rather than turning away from Him, Tracey made a decision to know the God who now held her daughter—and that decision changed the trajectory of her life.

This is a story of devastating loss, renewed identity, transformation, and hope. If you're walking through grief or a chapter you never would have chosen, Tracey's story is a beautiful reminder that grief doesn't have to be the end. God is still writing your story.

Tracey's books:

Heaven's Playground

Be Cute for You

The Inspirational Hustle

Book Katie mentioned: Believing is Seeing by Dr. Michael Guillen

Julianne entered marriage believing she knew what her life would look like. But years of painful relationship dynamics, fear, and confusion eventually left her wondering what she was doing wrong—and desperately asking God to restore what was broken.

In this vulnerable conversation with Katie and Cindy, Julianne shares how turning to Scripture transformed her relationship with Jesus, how she learned to surrender the outcome she wanted, and how God faithfully provided when her prayer changed from “save my marriage” to “God, show me a way out.”

Through separation, divorce, and an uncertain future, Julianne discovered that God doesn't always remove the suffering—but He never stops walking with us through it. Her story is a powerful reminder that El Roi is still the God who sees, and even when life looks nothing like we planned, there is hope on the path ahead.

If you're walking through a difficult season of your own, this episode will encourage you to keep going, hold tightly to God's Word, and trust His faithfulness with the chapters you never saw coming.

Katie and Julia got together to catch up on the summer and introduce our upcoming Fall Season! In this episode they chat about Julia's trek to Alaska, God's provision, brownies, our need for community, and the pivotal choice of sitting in Chair #3 and delighting in God. Pull up a chair and join us as we chat today and in the new season! We cannot wait to hear and share more stories with you!

And this is the link to the book Katie was talking about:

Awaken Delight

https://a.co/d/07SIVoAK 

What can two ordinary blankets teach us about the extraordinary love of God?

In this special summer episode, Katie and new co-host Cindy each share a deeply personal story about a blanket that became a powerful reminder of God's presence during seasons of suffering. From a hospital room during the AIDS epidemic to the bedside of a sister battling cancer, these unforgettable stories reveal how God often meets us through simple acts of obedience, unexpected kindness, and tangible reminders that we are never alone. If you're walking through a difficult season, this episode will encourage your heart with the truth that while God doesn't always remove the storm, He faithfully wraps us in His love through it.

Join us for our throwback episode #218, originally released in 2024, A Story of Finding God (Even When It's Hard) with Jennifer Stovall.

There’s nothing wrong with adoring your family and wanting everyone to stay close and be happy. In fact, most mothers would agree that’s our hearts greatest desire. Jennifer shares with us what happens when you hold on that a little too tightly and how God brought her back to Him through lots of layers of hard, in a season of empty-nesting (Or “Extreme Empty-Nesting” as she calls it) during COVID. She walks in the mess of shame and blame during her crisis and discovers beautiful lessons because “God is not afraid of our big feelings.” She learned how to forgive, how to look to God for her source of identity and the importance of feeling heard. Because “When we feel heard we start to heal.” 

This episode is full of wisdom and perspective regardless of where you are at in your hard (We all have hard!) And how great of a feeling it is to release that control and free-fall into our Father’s arms, because He is with us, even when we don’t think so. 

Jennifer is an amazing gal to speak with! If you’re interested in connecting with her more check out these links to her current passions:

IG coaching page: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mustard_seed_living/profilecard/?igsh=MWplN3c0MW05N2Y0cQ==⁠

Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

Zoe Freedom Center Website: ⁠www.ZoeFreedomCenter.org⁠

Join us for our throwback episode #6, originally released in 2018, as Michele shares about a new ministry opportunity she and her husband stepped into through Apartment Life in Washington, D.C. Apartment Life creates community within apartment buildings by helping residents build meaningful relationships in safe, welcoming spaces where they can connect and find a sense of belonging.

In this episode, Michele shares what drew them to this ministry, what they learned from serving their neighbors, and how these simple acts of hospitality can make a lasting impact. You'll also hear practical ideas for creating community wherever you live and ways you can help foster connection and belonging in your own neighborhood.

In Part 2 of our special summer series, Katie welcomes back a familiar voice to the She Speaks Stories kitchen table—former co-host and fan favorite, Portia Allen. Joined by new co-host Michele, the conversation feels like a joyful reunion among friends as they catch up on life, ministry, family, and the faithfulness of God through changing seasons.

Portia shares updates from the past few years, including her family's move from Minneapolis to Texas, purchasing a new home, raising three growing children, and continuing her work through Imago Dei Consulting.

Filled with wisdom, laughter, and encouragement, this episode is a beautiful reminder that we were never meant to walk alone—and that stories truly do change lives.

This summer, exciting changes are coming to the She Speaks Stories podcast! While Julia settles into her family's new adventure in Alaska, Katie introduces a wonderful group of women who will be joining the kitchen table as occasional co-hosts in future episodes.

In this special bonus episode, you'll meet Michele, Jennifer, Cindy, and Julianne—women whose powerful stories are impacting the She Speaks Stories community and who will now help interview guests, ask thoughtful questions, and bring fresh perspectives to the conversations ahead.

Pull up a chair and get to know the voices you'll be hearing more of as we prepare for an exciting new season this fall. We truly believe stories change lives—and we're honored to continue sharing them with you.