TSF Couples Month continues with Jeff and Alyssa Bethke. These are two of my favorite friends to follow on socials and keep up with as their marriage and family grows and changes and strengthens. And they live in Maui so who wouldn't want to see that life on the regular? :)

This episode brings up some important practices and disciplines to survive those young toddler years (three under five? THESE PEOPLE ARE BRAVE!) and these two are so honest about their joys and struggles. For many of you right in the middle of that place, these are your people. (For the rest of us- good news! Jeff and Alyssa are our people too.) :) 

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TSF Couples Month REALLY kicks off today with these two adorable and amazing humans- newlyweds Jessica Mack and Dre Plackis. Jess and I have known each other for a while here in Nashville, she's a gifted singer/songwriter and one of the cast members of CMT's Music City, a reality show based here in town.

Dre and Jess met between the two seasons of Music City (you're gonna hear the whole story and IT IS AWESOME) and their wedding was featured in the last two episodes of Season 2 of Music City!

I hadn't heard the story first-hand of how they met and fell and love and Y'ALL just hearing how God orchestrated every step is so so cool and encouraging for all of us... singles, moms, friends. All the ways you are waiting, I think this episode will remind you that GOD IS AT WORK.

Pretty fun, huh? 

. . . . .

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No better way to kick off our month of couples than with these two (who are actually, in fact, not a romantic couple). Knox McCoy and Jamie Golden are the hosts of The Popcast and Bible Binge, as well as some very very fun side shows they offer their Patron community.

You can find everything you want to know about them over at KnoxandJamie.com! 

We fling from here to there in this convo and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've been DYING to be friends with these two and now they are so totally stuck with me for all our days. I adore them. I think you will too.

. . . . .

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I am just so excited to have my longtime friend Lisa Leonard on the podcast. I have been wearing her jewelry for almost a decade, and reading her words on her blog, but her book is a whole new thing. (It's amazing.) Lisa is so creative and wise and honest. Her new book Brave Love is just beautiful. You're gonna love it.

We had some tech difficulties so we didn't get to talk as long as I wanted to, but I think you will love what we got! 

. . . . .

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I love love love having pastors on the show- they just always have some nuggets for us that will lead to good growth and change. Scott Sauls is one of those pastors to me- he is an expert on faith and culture and where those meet, as well as just a kind, generous, and thoughtful human. I'm grateful for where this conversation went as we talked all about struggles and faith life and changes and HOPE.

His new book Irresistible Faith released this week. Make sure you grab a copy- it's so so good.

(And, as we promised, let's continue to keep Scott in our prayers as he sorts out the insomnia issue.)

. . . . .

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My girl Hollyn is on the show today and y'all just aren't even going to believe this story. What I thought was a simple, "update me on life" question led to a whole episode of how God writes stories that are unlike anything we could do for ourselves.

To finish up the Next Gen series, another expert from inside the Next Gen camp, reminding us that God is at work in all of our lives, no matter your age, and if you seek Him you WILL find Him. 

Pretty fun one. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

. . . . .

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Y'all.

This one surprised me.

I called a couple of my favorite gals- Camden (13), Raleigh (15), and Katie Marie (19)- to see if we could talk all about being a teenager. Because all of our experts this month have been experts BUT who knows teens better than teens. 

And these young women BLEW MY MIND.

Buckle up for an incredibly beautiful and profound conversation.

(Also dear adults, here's a spoiler: we still don't need to be on snapchat- teens think that is weird, but we need to understand it.)

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I also have a new book releasing this week for young women- A Life of Lovely- a younger version of Looking For Lovely, specifically edited and specifically re-written with younger gals in mind. I will be reading you a few pages from this book today on the podcast as well.

. . . . .

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Pretty often, JP Pokluda's name crosses in front of me, so I've known of him for a long time. But this was our first time getting to be friends. But I knew when I was gathering up experts on the next generation, he was one of the dudes I wanted to speak into this series.

So far our experts have been talking to us about middle and high schoolers (mostly), but JP is here to talk college (mostly). :) We're also gonna hit a few other topics I think you will love- like hearing God, accountability, and JP's next steps.

His new book Welcome to Adulting: Navigating Faith, Friendship, Finances, and the Future is SUCH a gift for anyone walking through that young adult life phase. 

. . . . .

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Fifteen years ago, Drew Hill and I served in the same student ministry. He and his wife Natalie moved to Athens, Georgia and became the leaders of the student ministry where I was volunteering. I learned so so much from him the year we served together. Impacted me forever.

Drew has been committed to investing in the next generation for twenty years and he's finally (literally FINALLY) written a book called Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel. When I think of who loves teens well, and shows them the Gospel life, it's Drew.

Grab this book for yourself, for your youth pastor, and for every parent you know.

. . . . .

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We are taking a few episodes to talk about the next generation- what it looks like to invest in them, how to care for them, and how to love them well. When I think about who speaks teenage the best and can teach us a whole lot, it is Amy Byrd.

She is the director of girls ministry at Hunter Street Baptist Church and also an absolutely brilliant writer, gifted speaker, and excellent friend. I think you're just gonna love her and her thoughts.

Whether you are friends with a teenager, raising a teenager, leading teenagers, or just surrounded by them on this planet, I think this conversation will open up your eyes and thoughts to some new things. 

http://amybyrd.com

. . . . .

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