Kelly Connelly, of our Vestavia community, tried to control (and cure) her husband’s addiction to prescription painkillers. It seemed like a perfectly reasonable response from a wife. Only, it wasn’t working—and life wasn’t letting up.

The substance abuse continued, and infidelity and divorce entered the scene, making Kelly’s life unmanageable for many years. But that was just it: her life was, actually, unmanageable. And admitting it made all the difference.

Kelly came to grips with her shame, perfectionism, and powerlessness through the help of a Bible-based Al-Anon group. She learned to live hope-filled and happy without “The Happy Ending.” When she began working on “me” and giving control over to the Lord, rich truths bloomed among very poor circumstances.

In the episode, you will learn:

–The Lord will redeem what the enemy has destroyed in your life.

–Shame snowballs and can cause you to feel alone. But you are never alone in Christ.

–When you come to God—and He wants you to—walls come down.

Links:

Listen to a similar story: 

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Kelly.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a Q & A from the room after Kelly shared her story.

Register for the Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered on January 29th (live in Birmingham)-and February 6th (Online)! 

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

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

Get ready for some real talk. This raw account of addiction and recovery is also packed with self-reflection and Scripture throughout. Join Kristy Bridgers of our Oxford community as she drills down to the truth in more ways than one.

Growing up with an alcoholic father and in a performance-based family culture, Kristy learned to function among secrets and to never ask for help. Into adulthood, with an unexpected pregnancy and stressful newlywed season, Kristy played the part, first putting out the “fires” in her life with caretaking and busy-ness—and eventually by numbing out with alcohol. 

But when she got sober, Kristy gained a sober view of herself—and the unearned love of the Lord. 

In this episode, you will learn:

–When all other measures of comfort fail (and they will), the Lord stands ready to comfort you.

–We are all recovering from something. Getting real with God and getting real with yourself leads to healing. 

–You do not have to earn the Father’s favor; you are worthy of His love.

Links:

Listen to a similar story: Suzanne Jones- Ep. 69: "Overcoming Addiction"

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Kristy.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content ~ including an interview with social worker and clinician Tammy Bond from Wellspring Christian Clinic. She’ll be using her clinical background in addiction theory to answer Amy’s questions as it relates to alcohol addiction. 

Register for the new workshop being offered on January 29th- Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story

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

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

Welcome to the New Year! Our kickoff story is all about new beginnings—but it’s not what you think. This truth-filled tale will inspire you to get your heart right for 2025.

Jane Menendez, of our Mountain Brook community, openly shares about a seed of bitterness that settled in her heart long ago. The seed grew into a grudge, which Jane watered and nursed for more than 15 years. Jane bears it all, covering a lawsuit, financial insecurity, and eventually confessing the repetitive ways she entertained resentment in her heart.

For decades, Jane tried hard to love, and she tried hard to forgive. Ultimately, only a right view of her own sin could bring about change. As you listen to how Jane learned to face the truth of herself, we think you’ll do some necessary soul-searching, too.

In this episode, you will learn:

–The Lord will show you your sin, but He will also show you His love and faithfulness.

–Repentance is uncomfortable but freeing.

–If you’re feeling stuck in your situation, you can candidly ask the Lord to help you forgive.

Links:

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Listen to a similar story:  Ep. 72- Ivy Holmes: “Freedom of Forgiveness.”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Jane.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a “Continue The Conversation” with the podcast hosts!

Register for the new workshop being offered on January 29th-  Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series, including the newly released Discovering God in Stories of Faith

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!

Happy New Year! 🎉 As January kicks off, we at StoryTellers Live wish you a wonderful start to new beginnings and pray God's blessing and favor on you in 2025. We have another incredible repost story for you today, featured in the "When God Shows Up—Discovering God in Stories of Faith" Bible study.

87-year-old Doris Slappey, whose story was originally aired on 9/27/23 as Episode 239, shares her amazing life journey and how God met her when she needed Him most. Through vulnerability and humility, Doris' story will teach you about the pursuing love of our Heavenly Father - the perfect reminder we all need as the new year begins!

Listen to Doris’ original episode- Ep. 239:  “God’s Power in Surrender.”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Doris.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content. 

Shop for our When God Show Up Bible Study series~ including the newly released Discovering God in Stories of Faith!

Sign up for StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates~ including details on our new workshop offered in January, Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story.

Merry Christmas from the StoryTellers Live Team! We hope you are having a wonderful holiday with your family and friends as you celebrate the birth of our Savior. Today's story is a repost that originally aired on 2/1/23 as EP 214 and is also highlighted in our new Bible study, "When God Shows Up—Discovering God in Stories of Faith."

Anna Gualano, from our community group in Vestavia, Alabama, shares her journey of being born with brittle bone disease and living in and through the challenges she has faced. Her inspiring story will remind you that you are uniquely made, your life has immense value, God is consistently purposeful, and He's always working in the waiting.

We know her story will encourage you this Christmas season!

Listen to Anna's original episode -  Ep. 214: "God is Working in the Waiting"

Give to StoryTellers Live

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content.

Shop for our When God Show Up Bible Study series~ including the newly released Discovering God in Stories of Faith!

Sign up to receive the StoryTellers Live newsletter for updates~ including details on our new workshop:

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

We are just one week away from Christmas, and we have the perfect story to celebrate how the Light of the world can bring hope and healing in the darkest of situations!

Patti Davis, from our Raleigh, NC community group, experienced unimaginable abuse and neglect as a child and as an adult. As a result, Patti absorbed lies deep into her heart and soul. Yet, in the middle of spiritual darkness and dark nights in general, the Lord put Himself between Patti and her depression. When she felt the most alone, He provided a specific plan, some great friends, and His healing presence.

You will be truly touched to hear quotes from Patti’s time-worn journal as she recounts a season when she learned to ask for help and how friends showed up in droves! Spoiler alert: this story is an all-out spiritual battle, and God wins.

In this episode, you will learn:

– You are weak, and He is strong. You will receive His power when you focus on Him.

– Sometimes, God empties us out to make room for something new. He longs to renew, restore, and regenerate you.

– Bring your disappointments to God, get real with Him, and ask all the questions. He will speak to you.  You are never alone!

Links:

Listen to a similar story:  Ep. 290 - Jenny Strickland:  “God’s Healing in a Story of Mental Illness.”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Patti

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including Amy Grote’s discussion with Ashley McMakin of Ashley Mac’s Kitchen!  Some valuable insights on how to elevate your holiday gatherings (keeping it easy and enjoyable!) await you!

Shop for our When God Show Up Bible Study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!

Today, we hear from past storyteller Brynn Rogel Knox, who shared her story of recovery from addiction in Episode 120. Four years later, Brynn’s once troubled life has been enhanced by sobriety—but troubles have come in a different form.

In one year’s time, Brynn saw the loss of her father and father-in-law and a pregnancy. Tragedy, regrets, and unknowns threatened to topple her peace and derail her progress. But God.

In would-be moments of weakness, the Lord detoured Brynn’s thoughts and replaced her desires with His strength. He even blessed her with new and rich relationships and experiences. These days, instead of being numb, Brynn faces all the feelings. Listen and learn how God continues to write Brynn’s story (and yours!).

In this episode, you will learn:

– Struggles will come your way that you may never understand, and that’s okay.

– Walking with the Lord allows you to put your priorities in place.

– Beautiful things emerge when you face your hardships in light of His faithfulness.

Links:

Listen to Brynn’s original story:  Ep. 120-  “God is Not Disappointed in You”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Brynn

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including Amy Grote’s discussion with Alieta Casey on stress-free, budget-friendly tips and tricks for Christmas decorating!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series, including the third in the trilogy recently released, Discovering God in Stories of Faith!

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates.  You’ll also find details on the new workshop Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story

12/4/2024 StoryTellers Live is launching our 300th episode today (yes, you read that right!), and we’re praising the Lord for what he’s done through the ministry. All week long our team has been remembering the good while anticipating the great things to come. And this blessed rhythm of looking back and looking forward is just what you’ll hear from Laurel Henson, of West Cobb, in her story about love after loss.

When Laurel’s first husband died of cancer, she became a widowed mother of three at age 36. Laurel was grieving but grinding, saying “I’ve got this” to God on the regular. As the Lord redemptively paved the way for new love, Ephesians 3:20 shone brightly in her world: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

Listen to Laurel and you'll breathe in the precious providence of God. After all, He is sovereign over not just the bitter details of life, but the sweetest ones, too.

In this episode, you will learn:

– The Lord is always working in your waiting.

– He can redeem the hardships in your life and work them for good.

– When we partner with God by trusting in Him, He will do much more than we think or imagine.

Links:

LIsten to a similar story: Ep. 1- Sarah Beth Hagler:  “Finding Joy After Losing Her Husband”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Laurel

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a bonus story from Tupelo native Francis Johnson!  And… surprises are coming this month for our insiders!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study Series 

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!

It’s first Monday freebie time, and we are delighted to debut our Tulsa community with a story from Kenzie Hightower!

Kenzie’s typical life took a detour due to her brother’s sudden and life-threatening heart condition. During his three-month hospitalization, she quickly assumed the role of support person and found the new job to be heartwarming, hard, and, well, busy. Kenzie initially buckled under the weight of coordinating all the things and keeping it all together.

Still, when she was riding life's highs and lows, the Lord was actively proving Himself to be the one to handle it all. Kenzie grew to rest easy in His sustaining power as she sought to support her people.

In this episode, you will learn:

– Even the best support person needs the support of Christ when trials come.

– Looking on the bright side with a brave face can be exhausting. The Lord alone will sustain you.

– You can’t do it all, but He can.

Links:

Listen to a similar story~ Renee - Ep. 92:  "Love Matters- The Story of an Alzheimer's Caregiver"

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Kenzie.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content.

Follow us on social media (@storytellers_live and facebook.com/StoryTellers Live Ministry) to find out more about the giveaway on Wednesday to celebrate our 300th episode!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible study series.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!

Following the Lord’s call can be heavy yet heartwarming. Hear it from Kate Shaw, of our Jackson, Mississippi community, whose foster care journey butted up against a busy schedule and desire to plan. Still, Kate saw each fostering up-and-down as another opportunity to glorify God.

From challenging her Type A personality to training her to be “interruptible”, fostering children, Kate says, taught her family to be compassionate and empathetic. And when she prayed for direction, the Lord made his plans abundantly clear.

In this episode, you will learn:

– When you seek the Lord’s will for your life, you can rest in His purposes.

– The Lord may call you to obedience—even when your plate is already full.

– He will equip and sustain you as He carries out His plans for your life, because He is faithful. Links:

Listen to a similar story~ Laura Rowe- Ep. 27: “Love is a Verb: A Foster Care Story”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Kate.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content.

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

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates~ including information on our soon-to-be released workshop Finding God in the Details!