In this episode, Melody Fabien shares her powerful love story and the spiritual journey that led her and her husband CD into marriage ministry. She offers wisdom on what makes marriages last—emphasizing communication, vulnerability, and the reality of spiritual warfare. Melody also speaks to dating couples about red flags, non-negotiables, and the importance of personal growth, accountability, and community. Whether you’re single, dating, or married, this episode will help you reflect on how God uses relationships to grow us in Christlikeness.
Main Topics: 

• What makes marriages last—and why some don’t
• The biggest blind spots Christian couples face
• Practical questions dating couples should ask
• How spiritual maturity shows up in marriage
• Encouragement and tools for couples at every stage

Guest Bio:
You can learn more about Melody by visiting https://cdandmelody.com/
Recommended Resources:

• Domestic Violence Website (Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233))
• Family Life Weekend To Remember
• Tim Keller, The Meaning of Marriage

Reflection Question:
How is God using your relationships to grow you into Christlikeness?
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

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In this episode, Missie Branch joins Elizabeth to share about her journey from working in a flower shop to serving as assistant dean of students for women at a seminary. They explore what true leadership looks like, highlighting the role of mentorship, community, and faithfulness in small things. They also discuss the challenges leaders face, the importance of trusting God, and how every experience shapes us to serve and empower others.
Main Takeaways:

• God weaves every part of our story—big and small—into His greater purpose.
• True leadership begins with humility and a heart to serve.
• Great leaders create space for others by recognizing potential and investing intentionally.
• Growth happens when we lean into—not avoid—the challenges of leadership.
• Leadership can be lonely, so cultivating strong, supportive community is vital.
• Trusting God is the cornerstone of faithful leadership.
• Being faithful in the small things prepares us for greater responsibility and influence.

Guest Bio:
You can learn more about Missie by visiting missiebranch.com
Reflection Question:
How has God used your past experiences to prepare you for what you are doing now?
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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In this episode, I talk with Cheryl Luke about what it looks like to walk with God through seasons of deep pain. Cheryl opens up about her journey during 2020—a year that tested her faith and relationships—and how she stayed anchored to truth. We talk about spiritual formation, navigating hurt in community, and learning how to stay with God when life gets hard. This conversation is rich, honest, and full of wisdom for anyone trying to hold on to their faith in the valley.

Main Takeaways:

• In hard seasons, lean into—not away from—community, worship, and honest reflection.
• We tend to cope with pain in various ways, often turning to unhealthy habits instead of God. 
• Healing often begins when we bring our pain into the light with God and safe people.
• God is always near, even when we feel distant from him. 

Guest Bio:
Cheryl Luke is a speaker, coach, podcast host, and seminary student pursuing her Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies. She’s the visionary behind The Mosaic Life, a nonprofit equipping leaders to live with intention and purpose. With decades of leadership experience, including her role as National Director for Cultural Communities with Celebrate Recovery, Cheryl is known for her ability to foster community, create space for healing, and empower people—especially people of color—through recovery and restoration.

Reflection Question:
How might remembering the goodness of God help you be resilient in a valley season?

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

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In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Jill Barlow about how intentionality builds meaningful relationships and how community shapes spiritual growth. Jill shares honest reflections on starting over, facing disappointment, and finding hope when connection feels hard—reminding us that community can be a place of deep transformation.
Main Takeaways:

• Community requires intentionality, courage, and the willingness to initiate.
• Disappointment in relationships is common but can be a path to growth and grace.
• Spiritual formation happens in community, which reflects and refines us.
• If you are feeling lonely and disconnected, there is still hope for meaningful, family-like community.

Guest Bio:
Jill Barlow loves people, talking about theology, and being around a table with friends. Jill received her master's degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and currently serves as the Director of Community & Care at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on the East Side of New York. Jill is passionate about discipleship, mercy and leadership development in the local church. Her writing has been featured in Deeply Rooted Magazine, The Village Church and The Gospel Coalition.
Reflection Question:
What is one step you can take towards deeper relationships?
Recommended Resources

• Made For People - Justin Earley

Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Bible teachers and ministry leaders Courtney Doctor and Hunter Beless about what long-term discipleship looks like in real life. From friendship and mentoring to challenges and biblical wisdom, this conversation is full of insight for anyone wanting to stay faithful in making disciples.

Main Takeaways:

• How Courtney and Hunter’s friendship and mentoring relationship began
• The distinction between mentorship and discipleship
• Challenges and discouragement in disciple-making—and how to keep going
• Biblical keys to healthy discipleship relationships 
• Practical encouragement for staying faithful in busy life seasons

Guest Bios:
Hunter Beless and Courtney Doctor are passionate Bible teachers who love helping women know and love God more through His Word. Hunter is the founder of Journeywomen and has authored several children's books. Courtney serves as Director of Women’s Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition and is the author of From Garden to Glory and several Bible studies. They’re both wives, moms, and ministry leaders who care deeply about making theology accessible and life-giving. Together, they co-authored a new Bible study on Titus—perfectly tying into our discipleship conversation in today’s episode. Want to connect with them? Go to: hunterbeless.com OR courtneydoctor.org

Reflection Question:
Who is God calling you to disciple in this season?

Recommended Resources

• Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace, Courtney Doctor & Hunter Beless
• Growing Together, Melissa Kruger
• Mentoring, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

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In this episode, we continue our Church Mothers series by reflecting on the life of Hannah, a woman who teaches us how to wait well, stay rooted in prayer, and trust God in seasons of longing.
Main Takeaways:

• Hannah didn’t run from her pain—she took it to the Lord.
• Every believer will face a season of waiting. The question is not if you will wait, but how well you will wait.
• Human solutions may offer temporary comfort, but only God provides lasting peace.
• Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that when we pray with thanksgiving, God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds.

Reflection Question:
What are you waiting on, and where are you tempted to take control instead of trusting God?
Recommended Resources:

• "Embrace Your Life” By Elizabeth Woodson

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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In today’s episode, we continue our Church Mothers series by learning from a bold and often overlooked woman in Scripture: Huldah. Though her story is short, her courage, clarity, and closeness to God offer deep wisdom for anyone trying to walk in faith—especially when it’s costly.
Main Takeaways:

• Faithfulness requires courage: Huldah didn’t hesitate to speak God’s truth, even when it wasn’t popular or safe.
• Intimacy with God brings clarity: Her authority came from her nearness to God and her ability to discern His voice.
• Obedience has a cost: Following God may mean losing the world’s approval—but it results in lasting fruit.
• Fear is real, but God is greater: The Bible teaches us to see fear through the lens of God’s character—His power, presence, and patience.
  
  

Reflection Question:
In what area of your life do you need to move forward in courage? Is it a decision you need to make, a season of waiting you need to embrace, or a habit you need to release?
Recommended Resources:

• "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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In this episode of Starting Place, we’re kicking off a new series inspired by a conversation about the need for church mothers—women who intentionally invest in the next generation of believers. We explore what it means to leave a spiritual legacy, looking at the lives of Lois and Eunice, the mother and grandmother of Timothy, and how their sincere faith influenced his own. This conversation challenges us to consider how we are shaping those around us, not just through what we teach but through the authenticity of our everyday lives.
Main Takeaways:

• Discipleship isn’t just about teaching in a classroom—it’s about how the overflow of our lives helps show others what it looks like to be faithful in any season of life.
• Lois and Eunice were faithful examples of spiritual legacy, influencing Timothy through their sincere and consistent faith.
• True faithfulness isn’t about perfection but about authenticity—how we live offline matters more than how we appear in our highlight reels online.

Reflection Question:
What kind of spiritual legacy are you leaving for those around you? 
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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In this episode, we’re exploring one of the most pervasive ways we forget the gospel. Specifically, we forget the cost, which is surrender. We often sing about surrender, but if we're honest, we tend to surrender some rather than all. But abundant life only comes through surrendering our lives fully to Jesus.
Main Takeaways:

1. We are being formed. The culture is shaping us to prioritize ease and comfort, being driven by what feels good rather than what God says is God.
2. We all have a master. Whether we realize it or not, we are all controlled or surrendered to something or someone. The question is whether or not it is Christ.
3. Following Jesus means recognizing areas we haven’t fully surrendered and taking intentional steps to align our lives with His way.

Reflection Question:
What in your life do you need to surrender to God?
Recommended Resources:
Leverage: Life Without Regret by Jon Tyson (Sermon)
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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In this episode, we explore how insecurity and shame reveal our tendency to forget the gospel. Looking at the story of Mary Magdalene, we see how the power of Christ transforms our past, freeing us from shame and equipping us to walk boldly in our new identity. If you’ve ever struggled with feelings of unworthiness or fear that your past defines you, this episode will remind you of the truth: you are made new in Christ.
Main Takeaways:

• Shame keeps us stuck, making us believe we don’t belong or deserve God’s love.
• The gospel reminds us that our identity isn’t in our past but in what Christ has done.
• Like Mary Magdalene, we can walk in courage and live in the freedom of the gospel.

Reflection Question:
What past experience or insecurity makes you feel stuck in shame? How can you bring it before God and walk in the freedom of His grace?
Recommended Resources:
The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights to your own life. Share your thoughts, questions, or testimonies with us on Instagram @startingplacepodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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