The Collide Podcast

Beth Henry embraces others wholeheartedly. From her work serving Disabled Veterans, to her dedication to the Collide volunteer ministry team, to her constant outreach and service to friends and neighbors alike, she is a shining example of what it means to make service a lifestyle. Beth is the mom of two young adults, and currently lives in a multigenerational home that she shares with her children and her aging mother. In this episode, we chat about the beauty of blessing others, the importance of modeling faith for your children, and the cycle of learning and leaving a legacy.

Kristen Welsh is the founder of Mercy House maternity center in Kenya as well as the monthly membership club, Fair Trade Friday. Kristen is the author of Rhinestone Jesus, a memoir of her broken and beautiful life, Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World and Raising World Changers. She loves traveling and experiencing new cultures, trying new foods, and is a big fan of all things fair trade. In this episode we dive into what mercy looks like in action, talking with Kristen about how she lives out compassion, leaning into the work of impacting lives and all that comes with being a world changer in her calling to work with women in Kenya.

What if pastors have the same struggles, doubts, and fears as the rest of us—and they’re just doing their best to follow Jesus too?

In this honest and insightful episode of the Collide Podcast, we sit down with Pastor Grant Fishbook to explore the questions many of us have always wanted to ask a pastor. From navigating personal struggles to walking alongside messy people in a broken world, Grant shares the raw realities of being a pastor and a follower of Jesus. You’ll hear how transparency, humility, and grace guide his leadership and how God uses imperfect people to show others that Jesus not only loves them—but likes them too.

Meet Pastor Grant Fishbook

Grant Fishbook is the Executive Teaching Pastor at Christ the King Community Church, which has six campuses in Northwest Washington. With over two decades of ministry experience, Grant is passionate about teaching, shepherding, and helping people navigate life’s crises with Jesus at the center. He holds a Master’s in Global and Urban Leadership and is known for his transparent, down-to-earth approach to both faith and leadership.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why pastors are just regular people on a spiritual journey
• The role of transparency in leading and pastoring well
• How Grant handles personal doubts, fears, and the weight of ministry
• What it means to walk alongside “messy” people in real life
• The importance of allowing people to see the grace and goodness of Jesus up close

If you’ve ever felt like you had to be “good enough” to approach faith—or thought pastors had it all figured out—this episode will be a breath of fresh air. Pastor Grant reminds us that God meets us in our mess, uses our struggles, and delights in our presence.

Personal and Powerful - This study reminds us that God intersects with our lives in ways that are both deeply personal and undeniably powerful.

Connect with Grant Fishbook

Christ the King Community Church Website | Instagram

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What if healing from deep trauma is not only possible—but within reach?

In this powerful episode of the Collide Podcast, we sit down with Carma Roetcisoender, a licensed mental health counselor who has devoted her career to walking with survivors of sex trafficking, abuse, and trauma toward healing and hope. Carma brings compassion, wisdom, and a wealth of experience to this conversation as she unpacks the complexities of trauma and the paths that lead to restoration. Whether you’ve walked through trauma yourself or love someone who has, this episode offers insight and encouragement for the healing journey.

Carma is a licensed mental health counselor with a deep passion for helping vulnerable children and adults find healing. Her work has focused on supporting survivors of sex trafficking through both individual and group therapy. She also counsels clients navigating poverty, homelessness, sexual and physical violence, life transitions, grief, and career changes. Carma’s compassionate approach reminds us that no matter how broken the past may feel, healing is always possible.

1. What trauma actually looks like and how it impacts the body and mind
2. Why safety, connection, and presence are vital for healing
3. How counselors help survivors rebuild trust and identity
4. Encouragement for anyone navigating trauma, grief, or life transitions

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your past or unsure if real healing is possible, this episode will speak to your soul. You’ll be reminded that even in the deepest wounds, hope lives—and that with time, truth, and support, transformation is possible.

Check Out These Resources Inspired by This Episode

1. Collide Counseling Bundle - This online course tackles the 12 most common issues women face in counseling, offering practical tools, expert advice, and encouragement from licensed mental health professionals. The course also includes a beautifully designed printed workbook (mailed to your door) filled with exercises, reflection space, and helpful resources to guide your healing journey.
2. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk — a powerful resource for understanding trauma and the path to healing.

Connect with Willow - Website | Instagram | Facebook

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You don’t have to have all the right answers to help a child know Jesus—you just need to be willing to listen, ask questions, and create space for them to be heard.

How do we help kids develop a faith that becomes truly their own?

Talking with kids about Jesus can feel intimidating. We worry about saying the right thing, answering hard questions correctly, or teaching them everything they need to know. But Children’s Ministry Director Ellie Fowler believes some of the most meaningful spiritual conversations begin when adults stop worrying about having all the answers and simply listen.

Ellie joins Willow for a fun and thoughtful conversation about creating safe spaces where kids can ask questions, explore faith, and discover who Jesus is for themselves. Rather than underestimating children or simplifying faith because we assume they won’t understand, Ellie encourages us to value their curiosity, invite their questions, and give them a voice in spiritual conversations.

Ellie also shares how her own faith journey has shaped the way she approaches ministry. Growing up, faith often felt black-and-white and focused more on rules than relationship. Eventually, she had to decide for herself what she believed—a reminder that while we can teach, model, and plant seeds of faith in children, ultimately their relationship with Jesus has to become their own.

At the heart of Ellie’s work is a desire to create spaces where kids feel safe, loved, heard, and free to be themselves. Whether she has years to invest in a child or just one Sunday morning, she asks: How can I be Jesus to this child in the time I have?

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing enough to shape a child’s faith, this episode will remind you that you don’t have to be a pastor or theologian. Listen. Ask questions. Love them well. And trust God with the seeds you’re planting.

Ellie Fowler is the Children’s Ministry Director at Christ the King Church in the Pacific Northwest. Before stepping into ministry, Ellie studied early childhood education and attended beauty school with dreams of working at Disneyland’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Today, she combines her love for kids, creativity, and faith to help children know Jesus and feel deeply valued.

Ellie loves glitter, Disney, colorful hair, tattoos, CrossFit, and creating spaces where kids can show up exactly as they are. Through her work, she’s discovered that one of her God-given gifts is simply loving other people’s children and being fully present with them.

• Listen before you teach: Kids don’t need you to have a perfect theological answer. They need adults who take their questions seriously.
• Ask questions about faith: Instead of only telling kids about Jesus, ask what they think about Him and give their spiritual voice value.
• Don’t underestimate kids: Invite them into meaningful conversations and explain unfamiliar ideas rather than assuming they won’t understand.
• Let faith become their own: Plant seeds, model your faith, love them well, and trust God with their individual journey.
• Focus on who Jesus is: Rather than simply teaching kids to “be good,” help them understand the character of Jesus and let kindness and generosity flow from knowing Him.
• Embrace questions you can’t answer: It’s okay to say, “I don’t know.” Kids’ curiosity can deepen our faith, too.
• Remember that every moment matters: Even if you only have one hour with a child, you have an opportunity to help them experience the love of Jesus.

You don’t have to create a perfect faith foundation for the children in your life. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, ministry volunteer, or trusted adult, you can create a space where kids know their questions matter, their voices have value, and they are deeply loved.

Sometimes sharing Jesus is as simple as sitting beside a child, listening carefully, asking a good question, and being present.

Plant the seeds. Love them well. And trust God with what grows.

Follow Willow: Website | Instagram | Facebook

💑Check out Collide’s website for info on upcoming conferences, events, and resources.

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Nina Hall is in the business of making things beautiful. Whether it’s the DIY projects she shares for her 1914 craftsman home, a special moment with her 1 year old, or a celebration to bless a friend or family member, Nina is passionate about investing time, talent, and energy into infusing spaces and relationships with meaningful intention. In this episode, we chat with Nina about the challenges and immense joy of motherhood, the power of creativity, and the beauty in making a house a home.

Collide Counseling Course - This online course tackles the 12 most common issues women face in counseling, offering practical tools, expert advice, and encouragement from licensed mental health professionals. The course also includes a beautifully designed printed workbook (mailed to your door) filled with exercises, reflection space, and helpful resources to guide your healing journey.

Follow Willow: Website | Instagram | Facebook

💑Check out Collide’s website for info on upcoming conferences, events, and resources.

📲Follow Collide on Facebook and Instagram for encouragement, inspo and a fun peek into our ministry.

📰Plus, subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all things Collide!

What if thriving isn’t about perfection—but about being brave enough to be known?

In this honest episode of the Collide Podcast, we sit down with Jillian DeBritz to talk about what it truly means to thrive. As a personal development coach and self-proclaimed recovering perfectionist, Jillian opens up about her own journey toward emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual wholeness. She shares powerful insights on shame, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to invite others into our “in-process” places. Whether you’re struggling to measure up, hiding parts of your story, or longing for deeper connection, this conversation will remind you that healing starts when we allow ourselves to be fully seen.

Jillian is a personal development coach who longs to offer hope and build courage through the words she writes and the stories she shares. She believes in the transformative power of vulnerability and the freedom that comes when we choose to disarm shame. Her voice is a gentle but bold invitation to redefine what it means to live whole, brave, and fully alive.

• Why perfectionism is often rooted in fear and shame
• How to courageously share your story without having it all figured out
• The power of vulnerability in cultivating authentic relationships
• What thriving really looks like in real life—not just on paper
• Why healing is found in the “in-process” places, not just the arrival points

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to perform, to hide your struggles, or to “get it together” before you can be loved, this episode will offer a refreshing breath of grace. You’ll be reminded that you don’t have to be perfect to be whole—and that being truly known is where the healing begins.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe to the Collide Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen.

Collide Counseling Bundle - This online course tackles the 12 most common issues women face in counseling, offering practical tools, expert advice, and encouragement from licensed mental health professionals. The course also includes a beautifully designed printed workbook (mailed to your door) filled with exercises, reflection space, and helpful resources to guide your healing journey.

Connect with Jillian - Website

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Stay Connected by visiting our website for info on upcoming conferences, helpful resources, and encouragement for women pursuing healing, purpose, and deeper faith.

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We all know those people who simply exude warmth and joy, and Theresa Butcher is one of those special humans. Theresa is one of the owners of Riverside Health Club in the Pacific Northwest in addition to being a passionate wife, mother, worship leader, and community member. In this conversation, Theresa shares about her heart for hurting children, the beauty of community, and the power of prayer.

Katy von Kuhn is the incredible gal behind the PNW food blog My Daily Delish. Katy loves to inspire readers to find more joy in their journey with cooking by making simple, easy-to-follow recipes that inspire, nourish, and satisfy the soul. In this episode we chat about the spirituality of hospitality, Katy’s upcoming cookbook release, and practical ways to find joy in cooking.

Have you ever wondered what you're supposed to do with your life—or felt pressure to figure out your calling before you're even sure what you're passionate about?

Kayla Swallow offers a different way to think about purpose: instead of starting with “What do I want to be?” start by asking, “What problems do I want to solve?”

Kayla never expected her path to lead her into child welfare. After earning a degree in Human Services and spending several years serving with Young Life, she eventually found herself working with children entering foster care. Today, she serves as the Program Manager of group care facilities for Skookum Kids, caring for children during some of the most vulnerable days of their lives.

In this conversation, Kayla shares how paying attention to what breaks her heart helped shape her calling. She talks about the courage it takes to try things that scare you, the importance of showing up for people in the middle of their mess, and how God can use the things we care deeply about to lead us toward purpose.

Kayla also shares how growing up with a single mom who had cancer shaped her understanding of community and taught her that people need people. Her story is a beautiful reminder that our passions don't have to be separate from our faith—they can become invitations to join God in the work He's already doing.

If you're feeling stuck, unsure of your purpose, or wondering how your passions fit into God's plan, this conversation will encourage you to stop demanding that you have the whole path figured out. Instead, pay attention to what moves you, what breaks your heart, and where you feel called to show up.

Your passion may be pointing you somewhere.

Kayla Swallow graduated from Western Washington University in 2015 with a degree in Human Services. She spent several years serving with Young Life, including at Malibu Club in British Columbia, before transitioning into child welfare.

Today, Kayla serves as the Program Manager of group care facilities for Skookum Kids, caring for children during their first few days in foster care. She's passionate about showing up for vulnerable people, creating community, and helping others discover where their gifts and passions can make a difference.

Kayla is also an avid outdoorswoman who loves walking her dog through her neighborhood and waving at her neighbors.

• When you're unsure of your calling: Instead of obsessing over what you should be, start paying attention to what you care deeply about.
• When something breaks your heart: Ask whether that passion might be pointing you toward a problem God is inviting you to help solve.
• When you're afraid to try something new: You won't know what you're capable of until you're willing to show up and try.
• When you feel like you need the whole plan: Remember that calling often unfolds through small steps, unexpected opportunities, and a willingness to say yes.
• When the world's problems feel overwhelming: You don't have to solve everything. Find where you can faithfully show up and make a difference.

You don't have to have your calling perfectly figured out. Start with what you're passionate about, pay attention to what breaks your heart, and ask God where He might be inviting you to show up. Your passion may be more connected to your purpose than you realize.

Skookum Kids

Follow Willow: Website | Instagram | Facebook

💑Check out Collide’s website for info on upcoming conferences, events, and resources.

📲Follow Collide on Facebook and Instagram for encouragement, inspo and a fun peek into our ministry.

📰Plus, subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all things Collide!