She Speaks Stories

Kristina is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur and conqueror of mountains. When life had her at a breaking point, she​ packed her bags and headed to Colorado where she successfully climbed 55 of Colorado's tallest mountain peaks in 87 days. Not only did she complete an amazing physical feat that had never been done by a woman in that short amount of time, she also found freedom from depression and an eating disorder that had plagued her life for years. Kristina’s journey shows people how loved they are, reveals the crowns God places upon their heads and opens their eyes to see their important and unique role in building God's Kingdom.

 

For more Kristina:

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kristinabonfe.com

To meet Angela Donadio means you will invite this adventure junkie into your life.

An international speaker, recording artist and advocate for rural women in Africa, she is also a survivor of two near-death experiences and encourages others to “Make Life Matter.” Whether she’s sharing with thousands in an open field in Africa or in her weekly podcast, the message is the same: we are each created with a purpose.

 

Angela’s new book- Astounded: Encountering God in Everyday Moments

 

For more Angela:

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angeladonadio.com

Her parents are from colonial ruled Ghana on the African West Coast. She’s from Nashville, Tennessee, and the first person in her family born on American soil. She’s confetti in human form—a life enthusiast! We can’t wait for you to meet Reverend Lisa Yebuah, a community leader and builder of relationships through sweat and Lulu Lemon. 

 

For more Lisa:

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seraleightable.org

racialequityinstitute.com

Her heart is broken by poverty and lack of opportunity. Her purpose is to make a difference. She’s a wife to Nathan and mama to three white and five black kiddos. The three youngest are black boys. She once believed that if she taught her children respect, they would stay safe. She doesn’t want to admit that her own privilege protects her kids for now. Pull up a chair and listen in to Kathy Garrison’s beautiful story.

 

SHOW NOTES

It’s hard to see the purpose of your pain when you’re in the middle of it, but Kathy’s story demonstrates how God always shows up. Whether bullied as a child or suffering the loss of your own child, God shows up. He does not cause the pain, but He uses it, and He will weave together the good and the bad to draw us closer.

“You just have to keep your eyes on Him.”

 

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For more Kathy:

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kathygarrison.com

Although Deb was called into ministry at age 16, she spent the first 25 years of her professional career serving in the church and working in the corporate world. As a single mother, those years as a business manager helped provide for two young daughters but also training and leadership skills for the time God opened the door to fulfill her calling. Pull up a chair, Story community, and listen in to Deb Hopper’s story.

 

SHOW NOTES

God wants to give us more than we can hope for or even imagine. Sometimes we trip over the timing. Deb shares the story of how God used every part of her life to prepare her for what she felt was her calling all along, and how her patience and obedience paved the way for not only her personal success, but her personal relationship with Jesus.

You just have to be willing to “Keep your eyes wide open so you don’t miss a thing, because He doesn’t waste a thing.”

 

For more Deb:

debhopper.me

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Jane is a person you WANT to know. She lives life with rebellious hope and roaring joy, inviting her world and us into her story of despair and triumph. Hers is the story only God could craft. A musical artist with an otherworldly voice, she released "Girl in a Bubble," a single in 2019. Lean in and hear Jane walk us through the last few years of her life, what she has learned and is still learning. Welcome Nightbirde, Jane Marczewski.

 

SHOW NOTES

Being in favor with God does not mean you’re going to live a life of luxury. It does not mean you’ll live a life free from pain. But God does not waste your pain. You can hear this through the pure joy in Jane’s voice. Having your body healed from cancer is life-saving, but healing your spirit and renewing your faith is life-changing. Don’t be afraid to ask God what is going on.

That way, as Jane says, you can “Teach your heart to hope, and your body will follow.”

 

"Girl in a Bubble"

 

For more Jane:

nightbirde.co

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Sam Collier is a pastor, speaker, writer, and host of the A Greater Story with Sam Collier TV show and radio podcast. He is a speaker and host at North Point Ministries founded by Andy Stanley, and also communicates nationally and internationally as a speaker and contributor to the ReThink Group, Orange Network, Orange Tour, Alpha International Leadership Conference, Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit, Culture Conference and more. He has been interviewed on numerous TV shows, podcasts, and radio programs. Sam lives with his wife, Toni, and their daughter in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

SHOW NOTES

Sam’s story tells us that understanding the complexities of faith shows us that “God can move mountains, but if He doesn’t, He gives us the ability to climb them.” Are we willing to listen? God is already writing a story that we get to be a part of, so be obedient to that instead of expecting God to write what we think He should write.

Sam’s big takeaway: “When your story connects to God’s story, it leads to a greater story.”

A Greater Story

 

For more Sam

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agreaterstory.org

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Bethany is all about translating ideas visually and capturing moments honestly. An art director, photographer and painter who wants to learn and love well, her story is one of finding her gifts, being nearly overrun by her talents and being built back up into a person who knows what she’s been created to do. Story community, you will love this energetic, creative and God-dependent new friend, Bethany Schrock.

 

SHOW NOTES

Success by society’s standards is often measured by how busy you keep yourself. Bethany reminds us that while achieving is good, we must find time to rest, even if our minds trick us into thinking we don’t need it. Her forced rest revealed to her the true definition of an unconditional love that does not need to be earned. She shares the beauty and benefit of living in community and not being afraid to do the “unfun” stuff to prepare for the future that God has planned.

“God just wants to be with you,” Bethany shares with us.

 

For more Bethany:

bethcath.com

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She’s an Enneagram Type 1 worship leader living life with crystal-clear focus. This homeschool mama’s comfort in her own skin is going to rock your world. Married for 25 years with four adult daughters, Story community, say hello to the amazing Niki Willis!

SHOW NOTES

If you ever thought that the path you were walking was too far gone to be loved by God, Niki’s story will show you that just isn’t true. After living a young life of rebellion, she learned that “God is ok with who you are no matter how you are”—even when how you are is guilt-ridden and untrusting.

Sometimes “knowing what love DOESN’T look like helps you know what love DOES look like.”

 

For more Niki:

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She grew up one of two children in the same house in a small town in Texas. Her world was small and white. She loved to write and dreamed of being a mama someday. Today, 25 years after marrying her husband, she’s never been pregnant, and she and her husband are raising five black and biracial children beside a pasture graced with horses and wildflowers. Story tribe, say hello to Jeanine Joyner, blogger, mama and author of the new book, Paper Dolls: Trust Your Instincts.

 

SHOW NOTES

 

Jeanine tells two distinct stories. One is the understanding that her life and world became much bigger because of the influence of the people she invited in. She tempts us to open our own world, listen and perhaps learn something new. The other is understanding patience’s role in the process of God’s perfect timing.

“Don’t rush your story,” she shares with us. Walking in your calling should be energizing, not draining. Don’t make your gift a burden."

 

Jeanine’s book

For more Jeanine:

alifeofsimplejoys.com