*A note on our content.  We advise listener discretion as this episode references abortion.

Erica Spivey, from our community group in Raleigh, North Carolina, grew up with a Jewish heritage, thinking her value rested in her actions and accomplishments - an untruth that left her empty, depressed, and ultimately alone when she found herself in the middle of an abortion clinic. But God, in His unconditional love and faithfulness, used her most guilt-ridden and shameful moment to pursue her heart.

Listen in as Erica recounts the ways in which God brought her from religion to relationship and how He is still taking the darkness of her past and using it for redeeming Kingdom purposes. 

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

- No matter what your past holds, God chose you and appointed you to go and bear His fruit. (John 15:16)

- When you open your heart to God, He will meet you right where you are.

- You were created in God’s image and because of that alone, you have worth and value. 

Links:

Crisis pregnancy and post-pregnancy care ministries: Sav-A-Life and Lifeline Children’s Services 

Listen to similar stories:  Ep. 107- Carol Bevil:  “A Jewish Heritage” and Ep. 321- Beth Mull: “Be Brave: A Story of Finding Purpose from the Past”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Erica and our past storytellers

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered in-person on June 18th; 6:00-8:30 PM CST

*Future dates- Online on July 8th; 9:30-11:30 AM CST and August 20th; 9:15-11:15 AM CST Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website!

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

Today’s “First Monday Freebie” will leave you praising God for His redeeming grace and unconditional love, even when faith can be as small as a mustard seed.

Nicole Chism, from our community group in Tupelo, Mississippi, shares how God’s pursuit of kindness walked her out of the darkness of her past and led her to the role of a servant in His Kingdom. Nicole’s journey will encourage you to know that there is no story too far gone that the Lord can’t turn around and shine His glory through.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

- You need a mentor, an encourager, and a peer in your life - all pointing you to Jesus.

- Sometimes you need to search for God in the darkness of your past, and reflect on those times that He protected you.

- God will use your suffering to bring you closer to Him.

Links:  

Your Story Has a Villain: Identify Spiritual Warfare and Learn How to Defeat the Enemy

by Jonathan Pokluda

Listen to a similar story:  Ep. 205- Katie Wilson: “Highlighting His Greatness”

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a bonus story from Nicole Roberts from our Fairhope community!

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Nicole and our past storytellers

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your 

Story workshop being offered in-person on June 18th, 6:00-8:30 PM CST

*Future dates- Online on July 8th; 9:30-11:30 AM CST and August 20th; 9:15-11:15 AM CST Need a last-minute summer Bible study idea?! Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series.

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website!

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

What do you do when the brokenness of this world hits you and your entire life goes into a tailspin? As today’s storyteller reminds us, you lean into God like never before, and you rest in knowing He is enough.

Shannon Stafford, from our West Cobb community (just outside of Atlanta, Georgia), shares her story of healing from childhood trauma only to be blindsided by her husband’s request for a divorce. Little did she know that through her journey of recovering from the past, God was preparing her for victory in the future trials ahead. This is a story of God’s faithful love, His desire for you to let go of shame, and His power to redeem and heal what was lost and broken.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

- Sometimes the best way to find healing and conquer your shame is to be open and talk about it.

- The Lord wants you to experience His peace in the worst of tragedies.

- Live fully in the present, focusing on God in the moment

Links: Listen to a similar story: Ep. 22- Delphine Carter: “Walking Through Divorce”; Ep. 322- Kim Johnson: "God is in the Details: Circumstances Don't Define You"

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content.

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Shannon and our past storytellers Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered in-person on June 18th; 6:00-8:30 PM CST

*Future dates- Online on July 8th; 9:30-11:30 AM CST and August 20th; 9:15-11:15 AM CST

Need a last minute summer Bible study?! Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website!

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

May is Brain Cancer Awareness month, and today’s storyteller pays tribute to this disease that affects more than 25,000 people annually.

Emily Lombardo, who shared at our Trussville, Alabama live gathering, recounts her journey of walking alongside her husband as he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

In this heartfelt story, Emily helps us see the divine goodness of our Father as she details the ways in which her community showed up for her and her family as the hands and feet of Christ.

As she shares, you will also see the love between a husband and wife who know, without a doubt, that Jesus alone is their strength, their home, and their victory. 

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

- Draw strength from your community, but let your ultimate strength be from God.

- Sometimes, God gives the biggest battles to His strongest soldiers.

- In the midst of terrible suffering, God never leaves you and can be found in the details. 

Links: Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Emily and our past storytellers

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a “Where are They Now?” with Emily Lassiter- Ep. 106: “Three Promises from God”

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered in-person on June 18th; 6:00-8:30 PM CST

*Future dates- Online on July 8th; 9:30-11:30 AM CST and August 20th; 9:15-11:15 AM CST

Need a summer Bible study?! Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

"There is a cure for addiciton, and His name is Jesus."- Storyteller, Candace Jones

According to the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health over 48 million Americans battled a substance use disorder over the past year, making it abundantly clear- addiction does not discriminate.  Today on the podcast, Candace Jones, who spoke at our Mountain Brook community's live gathering, shares her story of struggling with drugs and alcohol and how she quickly spiraled into the evil and dark world of selling drugs.  Through her candidness, Candace clearly reminds us of the importance of having a relationship with Jesus, relying on Him rather than yourself, and the imperative role community plays when you are battling the lies of the enemy.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

-Addiciton can affect anyone-it does not care where you are from or what type of family you grew up in- and it can quickly take over your life. 

-God is seeking after a relationship with you, not religion and rules.

- When God restores, He can do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

Links:

Lovelady Center

Portraits of Hope 

Listen to a similar story:  Ep. 120- Brynn Rogel:  “God is Not Disappointed in You”

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a Story Within the Story with Marne Wood, our Mountain Brook Community team leader and Executive Director of Portraits of Hope!

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Candace and our past storytellers.

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered in-person on June 18th, 6:00-8:30 PM CST

Future dates-

Online on July 8th; 9:30-11:30 AM CST and August 20th; 9:15-11:15 AM CST

Need a summer Bible study?! Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

Today, we are thrilled to air our first story from our newest community group in Charleston, South Carolina. We know it will leave you longing to seek God’s heart and trust His perfect timing!

Reagan Barfield shares her story of walking through several difficult seasons of her life, including an accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury, the loss of her best friend to cancer, her struggles with infertility, and the devastating experience of two miscarriages. But… through it all, Reagan explains she would never trade the moments of suffering as they led her to experience the loving hands of a God Who provides and transforms her heart.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

- Oftentimes, it is in moments of crisis where God leads you to daily prayer.

- True peace is not found in answered prayer but in God walking with you in your sufferings.

- Through prayer, God’s desire is to give you more of His heart.

Links:

Listen to a similar story:  Ep. 316- Amber Robinson: “Clinging to What is True: A Story of Waiting on God”

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a bonus story from Misty Hedspeth from our Raleigh community!

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Reagan and our past storytellers

We want to hear from you, and today is the last day to participate!  Please complete our Listener Survey. 

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered in-person on June 18th, 6:00-8:30 PM CST

Future dates- Online on July 8th; 9:30-11:30 AM CST and August 20th; 9:15-11:15 AM CST

Need an idea for a summer Bible study?  Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series!

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭

Did you know one person dies every 52 minutes from an eating disorder? This is a devastating statistic that is addressed firsthand on today’s podcast by Erica Antonneau, our storyteller who spoke at our Tulsa, Oklahoma community.

Erica vulnerably shares her journey of struggling with perfectionism and self-sufficiency which ultimately led her down the destructive path of anorexia. Her candidness about the idolatry of body image in her life and in our society will give you fresh insight into the world of eating disorders and how easy it is for someone to fall into this trap. However, in the end, Erica points us all to the saving grace of our Father who can take any weakness and turn it into the glory of His strength.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

- Surrendering your life is foundational in experiencing Jesus as Savior.

- Eating disorders can oftentimes reflect a spiritual disorder of the heart.

- Opening your palms to surrender to the Lord is a way of physically acknowledging God’s sovereignty and expressing your trust.

Links:

Listen to a similar story: 

 Episode 117-  Mari Beth Poor: “The Octopus of Anorexia” 

Episode 269- Erin Yost: Rescue, Recovery and Freedom- An Eating Disorder Story

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Erica and our past storytellers

We want to hear from you!  Please complete our Listener Survey

Register for one of our two workshops being offered this summer!

In-person on June 18th from 6:00-8:30 CST 

Online on July 8th at 9:30 AM CST: 

Register here: Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story

Need a summer Bible study?! Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

We live in a world full of change with unexpected suffering and situations beyond our control, and it’s easy during that time to get caught up in our circumstances and miss God in the details.

Kim Johnson, on our new Pinehurst, North Carolina community team, reminds us in those moments where life has taken a turn it’s important to remember God is good, faithful, and loving.  As Kim shares her story, you are going to be inspired to begin looking for God in the everyday and practicing the discipline of gratitude. And, if you’re not someone who journals, Kim just may motivate you to start!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

- Don’t get so caught up in the outcome of your prayer request that you miss God in the details.

- Look past your circumstances and cling to the character of God.

- Seek and you will find- Seek for God’s faithfulness! 

Links:

Listen to a similar story:  Ep. 211- Nichole Baker: “Miracle Upon Miracle”

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Kim and our past storytellers

We want to hear from you!  Please complete our Listener Survey

Need a summer Bible study?! Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

**DISCLAIMER:  Please listen with caution and away from little ears as this story references abortion

Being in the midst of suffering, heartbreak, and tragedy can be painstakingly lonely and the most desperate time of your life. You can be left questioning God, confused as to why He isn’t answering your prayers, and even downright angry with Him.

Today’s storyteller, Beth Mull, from our Raleigh, North Carolina community, experienced all of these emotions as she walked through the unraveling of her marriage and the terminal diagnosis of her baby daughter. But, as Beth recalls through her story, it was in those feelings of helplessness that she can clearly see the Father’s persistent pursuit of her heart through His unconditional love and redemptive power as He led her to His unique purpose for her life.  This story’s ending just may surprise you!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

- God’s Word is powerful, strengthening you for what lies ahead.

- Never let your past disqualify you for what God may be calling you to.

- God has something big for your life, so bravely follow Him! 

Links: 

Listen to a similar story: Ep. 270- Lauren: "Peeling My Shame Away"

  The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a “Story Within the Story” with Beth and her role as director of Love Life in Raleigh

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Beth and our past storytellers 

We want to hear from you!  Please complete our Listener Survey

Need a summer Bible study?! Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

Happy Holy Week! The team at Storytellers Live is praying blessings over you this week as you celebrate our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. And, wow, do we have the perfect story to get your mind focused on the good news of Sunday?

Oftentimes, when life is not going as planned and our prayers aren’t being answered the way we want them to be, we are left questioning God and His ways. But, as today’s storyteller reminds us, our God is purposeful in the pain and the messy middle is where His best work takes place.  

Anna Thompson, from our Memphis, Tennessee community group, shares her story of walking through the confusion, heartbreak, and anger she experienced when she desperately wanted a second child and her life’s picture was not developing as planned.  Anna’s words are going to inspire you to rest in knowing that even in the midst of unanswered prayers God is weaving together a beautiful tapestry of His love, goodness, and grace. 

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

* God is faithful even if the answer to your prayer is no. 

* The Lord and His love will sustain you no matter the circumstances. (Romans 8:38-39)

* Only in Heaven will you see the top side of the tapestry that God is weaving here on earth.

“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”  Psalm 63:8

Links:

Anna’s book- The One and Only You

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Anna and our past storytellers 

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a “Continue the Conversation” of Anna’s story and Easter traditions with Robyn, Katie, and Lindy. 

We want to hear from you! Please complete our Listener Survey

Need a summer Bible study?! Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series, including the newly released Discovering God in Stories of Faith!

Register for our online workshop being offered on May 6th:

Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!