The Love Offering

Have you ever found yourself replaying someone else's words, assuming they were judging you? Or maybe you've caught yourself criticizing someone in your mind, convinced you're seeing the situation clearly.

If so, you're not alone.

This week on The Love Offering Podcast, I sat down with my friend Shannon Popkin to discuss her new book, Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible. Together, we explored a topic that many of us struggle with but rarely talk about openly—judgment.

What if the criticism we feel from others is often rooted in our own insecurities? What if the harsh standards we apply to others reveal places in our own hearts that need God's healing mercy?

Through powerful stories like Jonah, the thief on the cross, and the woman caught in adultery, Shannon reminds us that while God is a righteous Judge, He is also abundantly merciful. His mercy changes how we see ourselves and how we see others.

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation was this: we often feel judged and become judgy in response. But Jesus shows us a different way. Though He was wrongly judged, He responded with compassion, forgiveness, and grace.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why judgment and insecurity are often connected
• How contempt quietly damages our relationships
• What Jonah's story reveals about our own hearts
• How God's mercy transforms the way we treat others
• Why the cross is the ultimate picture of love and compassion

Friend, if you've ever struggled with being critical of yourself or others, this conversation will encourage you and point you back to the heart of God.

With love,

Rachael Adams

 

Connect with Shannon Popkin

Website: https://www.shannonpopkin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonpopkin

Book: Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible

 

Connect with Rachael Adams

Website: https://www.rachaelkadams.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachaeladamsauthor

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Some days, motherhood feels deeply meaningful. Other days, it feels like wiping counters, making lunches, repeating yourself for the hundredth time, and wondering if any of it really matters. If you’ve ever gone to bed thinking, “I’ll do better tomorrow,” this week’s conversation on The Love Offering Podcast is for you.

I had the joy of talking with bestselling author and speaker Rhonda Stoppe about her new book, Moms of the Bible: Life-Changing Lessons from the Fearless, Flawed, and Faithful. Together, we talked honestly about mom guilt, comparison, prodigals, spiritual motherhood, God’s grace, and the sacred significance of everyday faithfulness.

I especially loved how she reminded us that the women of Scripture were real women—fearless at times, flawed at times, but always deeply loved and used by God. Their stories remind us that God doesn’t require perfection from us as mothers. He simply asks for willing hearts surrendered to Him.

In this episode, we discuss:
• How God uses imperfect mothers
• The danger of comparison and control
• Why spiritual motherhood matters
• What to do with regret and mom guilt
• The quiet significance of ordinary faithfulness
• How loving God first shapes the way we love our families

Rhonda also shares beautiful encouragement for weary moms and reminds us that the greatest thing our children can witness is not perfection—but a mother who genuinely loves Jesus.

Whether you’re parenting little ones, teenagers, adult children, or simply pouring into the next generation spiritually, I think this conversation will encourage your heart.

Love,
Rachael

Connect with Rhonda Stoppe

Website: No Regrets Woman
Instagram: @rhondastoppe
Podcast: Old Ladies Know Stuff

Connect with Rachael Adams

Website: Rachael K. Adams
Instagram: @rachaeladamsauthor
Podcast: The Love Offering Podcast

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt like God placed a dream in your heart—but fear, insecurity, or self-doubt kept you from taking the next step?

Maybe you’ve wondered:
What if I fail?
What will people think?
What if I heard God wrong?

If any of those questions sound familiar, this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast will encourage your heart deeply.

I had the joy of talking with author and entrepreneur Taneshia Yerby about her book From Dreams to Drive: Trust God’s Plan, Embrace Your Gifts, and Walk in Purpose. Together, we had an honest conversation about overcoming fear, trusting God’s timing, and finding the courage to move forward—even when you still feel unsure.

Taneshia shares so much wisdom about:
• Moving from dreaming to actually doing
• Overcoming comparison and fear of failure
• Trusting God when the path feels unclear
• Using your gifts to serve others
• Staying faithful while you wait for what’s next

Friend, if God has placed something on your heart, don’t let fear keep you stuck. Your obedience may impact generations of people you’ll never even meet. I pray this conversation encourages you to trust God, take the next faithful step, and remember that He will guide you as you go.

With love,
Rachael

P.S. If this episode encourages you, would you share it with a friend? You never know who may need the reminder that it’s not too late to pursue what God has called them to do.

Connect with Taneshia Yerby

Website: CEO for Women
Instagram: @ceoforwomen
Facebook: CEO for Women on Facebook

Connect with Rachael Adams

Website: Rachael K. Adams
Instagram: @rachaeladamsauthor
Podcast: The Love Offering Podcast

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt like everything depends on you? Like if you stop striving, planning, fixing, organizing, or carrying it all… everything might fall apart? If so, this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast is especially for you.

I had the joy of sitting down with my friend Nichole J. Suvar to talk about her beautiful book, I Don’t Have to Hold It All Together: Cultivating the Peace of Eden When Feeling Overwhelmed. And honestly? This conversation ministered deeply to my own heart.

Nichole vulnerably shares her personal journey with anxiety, perfectionism, and the exhausting pressure to keep everything together. Together, we talked about:

• Why so many women feel overwhelmed and anxious today
• The illusion of control and the burden of perfectionism
• How God designed us for rest, peace, boundaries, and community
• What it looks like to release outcomes to God
• Why true peace isn’t something we create—it’s something we receive

One of my favorite reminders from our conversation was this:

“You don’t have to hold it all together. God is already holding you.”

What a freeing truth.

If you’ve been carrying too much, striving too hard, or feeling weary in this season, I pray this episode feels like a deep exhale for your soul. Friend, may you remember today: God never asked you to carry what only He was meant to hold.

With love,
Rachael

P.S. If this episode encouraged you, would you consider forwarding it to a friend who may need this reminder too? Sometimes the greatest gift we can offer someone is simply letting them know they’re not alone.

To connect with Nichole, visit her website at LiveWithIntent.org or follow her on Instagram at @nicholejsuvar where she regularly shares encouragement, practical mental health support, and faith-filled reminders that you don’t have to do life alone.

To connect with me, download free resources, and read the show notes, visit rachaelkadams.com and follow me on Instagram and Facebook @rachaeladamsauthor. 

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever wondered, “Am I the only one who feels this overwhelmed?” Or quietly questioned if you’re doing any of this motherhood thing “right”?

In this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast, I had the sweetest conversation with Andrea Fortenberry—author of Two Minute Timeouts for New Moms—and I think her words will feel like a deep breath for your soul.

Andrea gently reminds us that motherhood is both beautiful and hard. From the sleepless newborn days to the bittersweet seasons of letting go, every stage carries its own mix of joy and stretching. And yet, in all of it, you are not alone—and you were never meant to do this on your own.

We talked about:
• Why so many moms feel overwhelmed and isolated (and the truth that sets us free)
• How pride can quietly keep us from asking for the help we truly need
• Letting go of perfectionism and embracing “good enough” motherhood
• Finding meaningful moments with God—even in the middle of a full, busy day
• Releasing mom guilt and receiving God’s grace for yourself

One of my favorite reminders from our conversation is this: God knows your season. He sees the late nights, the messy middle, the quiet prayers whispered in the bathroom, and He meets you right there with love and grace.

If your heart feels a little tired or stretched thin, I pray this episode encourages you to pause, breathe, and remember that you are doing better than you think.

And if a friend comes to mind who might need this encouragement too, would you share it with her? Sometimes the smallest encouragement can make the biggest difference.

You are deeply loved, friend, and what you’re doing matters more than you know.

 

Connect with Andrea Fortenberry:

Website: https://www.andreafortenberry.com/

Book: Two Minute Timeouts for New Moms
Instagram: https://instagram.com/andreafortenberry

Connect with Rachael Adams:

Website: https://rachaelkadams.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/rachaeladamsauthor

Read the Show Notes:

https://rachaelkadams.com/writing/

Download Your Free Love Always Devotional:

https://rachaelkadams.com/free/

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt like life didn’t turn out the way you expected—or on the timeline you hoped for?

Maybe you’ve looked around and wondered if you’re somehow behind.

In this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast, I sat down with author and poet Tanner Olson to talk about his book Getting Through What You are Going Through and what it looks like to walk through seasons of uncertainty, waiting, and even grief while still holding onto hope.

Through his own story of infertility, waiting, and ultimately adoption, he reminds us that God is present—not just at the end of our story, but right in the middle of it. If you’re in a season that feels heavy or unclear, this conversation will gently encourage your heart.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What to do when life feels off track
• How to trust God’s timing when it’s different than yours
• Why we shouldn’t just get through hard seasons—but go through them
• Finding hope in the small, everyday moments

Friend, if you’re feeling behind today, I hope this reminds you—you’re not. God is still writing your story, and He hasn’t forgotten you.

With love,
Rachael

Connect with Tanner Olson

• Instagram: @tannerolson
• Books: Getting Through What You’re Going Through, Walk a Little Slower, Continue, and more
• Ministry: Written to Speak

Connect with Rachael Adams

• Website: rachaelkadams.com
• Instagram: @rachaeladamsauthor
• Books: Everyday Prayers for Love and A Little Goes a Long Way

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt like your time with God has become just another box to check?

I know I have.

In this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast, I sat down with my Cara Ray to talk about something that truly ministered to my own heart—the pursuit of holy leisure.

Cara shares her journey from a performance-driven faith—where quiet time felt like a duty—to discovering a peaceful, joyful presence with the Lord. And I’ll be honest, so much of her story felt like my own.

If you’ve ever felt like:

• Your spiritual life feels rushed or routine
• You’re striving to “get it right” instead of simply being with God
• You’re longing to actually enjoy your relationship with Him again

…this conversation is for you.

Together, we talk about what it means to shift from discipline to delight, and how enjoying God isn’t something we earn—it’s something we receive. We also explore how this can look in real, everyday life… in your home, your work, your relationships, and even in the smallest moments you might otherwise miss.

We don’t have to wait for perfect conditions to experience God’s presence. He is available to us right here—in the middle of our ordinary, beautiful, imperfect lives.

Friend, what if today you slowed down just enough to notice Him?

I’m praying this conversation helps you release the pressure to perform and gently invites you back into the joy of simply being with Him.

With love,
Rachael

Connect with Cara:

https://cara-ray.com/

Connect with Rachael:

https://rachaelkadams.com/

Download your Free Love Always Devotional:

https://rachaelkadams.com/free/

Read the Show Notes: 

https://rachaelkadams.com/writing/

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever found yourself running on empty—trying to hold everything together while quietly feeling like you’re falling apart? If so, you’re not alone. And today’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast was recorded with you in mind.

In this honest and hope-filled conversation, I sit down with author and speaker Vivian Cumins to talk about burnout, breakdown, and the beautiful way God meets us right in the middle of it all. In her book Break Down Better, Vivian shares her personal story of striving, exhaustion, and a breaking point that ultimately became the doorway to deep healing and restoration.

Together, we talk about why so many women feel overwhelmed, how perfectionism and control can keep us stuck, and what it looks like to surrender our lives back to the Lord—one step at a time.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
• The subtle warning signs of burnout you may be overlooking
• Why rest is not selfish—it’s biblical
• How surrender can lead to deeper freedom and peace
• Practical ways to invite God into your everyday life
• Encouragement for finding joy again, even in hard seasons

If you’ve been feeling exhausted, discouraged, or stretched too thin, I pray this conversation reminds you of this simple but powerful truth: God is near, and He longs to restore what feels worn down in you.

Friend, you don’t have to keep striving. You don’t have to carry it all. There is a better way—and it begins by turning back to Him.

With love,
Rachael

P.S. If this episode encourages you, would you share it with a friend who might need it too? You never know how God might use a simple invitation to bring someone hope.

 

Connect with Vivian:

Home | Vivian Cumins

Connect with Rachael:

https://rachaelkadams.com/

Download your Free Love Always Devotional:

https://rachaelkadams.com/free/

Read the Show Notes:

https://rachaelkadams.com/writing/

 

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever had everything you thought you wanted… and still felt unsatisfied?

Maybe your circumstances didn’t turn out the way you hoped.
Maybe you’re carrying disappointment, waiting on something, or wondering why contentment feels just out of reach.

If you’ve ever felt that tension, this week’s conversation on The Love Offering Podcast is for you.

I had the joy of sitting down with Joanna Kimbrel to talk about her new devotional, You Are Satisfied, and our conversation was both honest and hope-filled.

Joanna shares from her own story—walking through chronic illness, unmet expectations, and seasons that didn’t look anything like she planned—and how God gently revealed where she had been looking for satisfaction outside of Him.

Together, we talk about:
• Why our longings aren’t wrong—but where we take them matters
• How to recognize when we’re placing our hope in the wrong things
• The tension between enjoying God’s gifts and depending on them
• What it really looks like to trust God when life feels disappointing

Friend, if your heart feels restless today, you’re not alone—and you’re not without hope.

Your longing isn’t something to ignore…
it’s an invitation to come closer to the only One who can truly satisfy.

As you listen, my prayer is that you would experience the deep, steady peace that only comes from being rooted in Christ—no matter what your circumstances look like.

With love,
Rachael

 

Connect with Joanna:

https://www.joannakimbrel.com/

Connect with Rachael:

https://rachaelkadams.com/

Download your Love Always devotional:

https://rachaelkadams.com/free/

Read the Show Notes:

https://rachaelkadams.com/writing/

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever woken up already feeling behind… already carrying the weight of the day before your feet even hit the floor? Maybe your mornings feel rushed, chaotic, or even a little heavy. Or maybe you’ve wondered if you’re “doing it wrong” because your mornings don’t look like the picture-perfect routines we often see online. If that’s you, I think this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast will feel like a breath of fresh air.

I had the joy of talking with Jennifer Dukes Lee about her new book, How to Love Your Morning, and our conversation was both practical and deeply encouraging.

Jennifer reminded us that being a “morning person” isn’t about waking up at a certain time or having a perfect routine—it’s about how we begin and who we begin with.

We talked about:

• Why mornings matter so much in Scripture (and how they’re woven throughout God’s story)
• Letting go of pressure, comparison, and unrealistic expectations
• How your personality and season of life shape your morning rhythm
• Simple, grace-filled ways to meet with God—even on the busiest days

One of my favorite reminders from our conversation was this: you don’t need a perfect morning to meet with God. Even a whispered, “Lord, help me,” is enough.

Because the truth is—every morning is an invitation.

An invitation to receive God’s mercy again.

An invitation to begin again.

An invitation to trust that He is already with you in whatever the day holds.

Scripture tells us: “His mercies are new every morning.” So today or tomorrow, before you reach for your phone or rush into your to-do list, what if you simply pause and met Him there? I’m praying this conversation encourages you to start your day with a little more grace, a little more peace, and a whole lot more awareness of God’s presence.

 

Connect with Rachael:

https://rachaelkadams.com/

Connect with Jennifer:

Faith-Filled Encouragement for Life's Journey | Jennifer Dukes Lee

Download the Mother's Day Devotional:

https://rachaelkadams.com/free/

 

Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.