The Mentor's Table: A Place for Women Desiring a Biblical Spiritual Mentor

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New to the Mentor's Table? Welcome!

Already have a seat at the table? Welcome back!

Here's a little preview of what we have planned for you this season. You'll notice we've shined up and polished a few things, giving you a better overall experience. I can't wait for you to join in on the conversation!

Let us know what discipleship hacks and pep talks you need right now, and we'll try to address them in an upcoming episode. 

Be sure to FOLLOW the show, and we'll see you back at the table for Season Two on October 1st, 2025!

Add your voice to the table here . . .

Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Website: JoyAbad.com

Email: [email protected]

Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to guide you to start a sabbath rhythm. 

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

On this final episode in our Summer REPLAY series, we're bringing you the most popular episode from season one. I was a little surprised by this choice, but it sent a loud-and-clear message to me that you want more discipleship hacks and tips to hold on to when life gets hard. So that's what our focus will be in season two--short, real-talk sessions about what to do when you don't know what to do. I'm excited to see where God will take us. Subscribe now so you don't miss an episode!

Next time on the pod we'll preview what Season Two will look like. I've spent the summer tweaking and refining this podcast so that it can better meet your needs, and I can't wait to share about what we'll be doing better here at the Table. 

SHOW NOTES

Links from this episode:

1. If you missed the first episode on silence, check it out here.

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• In the comments right here.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter. Our next episode will drop on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

If you've been playing around with the idea of starting a sabbath rhythm, but you're feeling tired, overwhelmed, or that it's impossible, then this is your sign to START LISTENING NOW. Listen to this episode and my small start, and listen for the kind invitation to start even smaller based on what works best for YOU.

Better yet, after listening, head to www.joyabad.com and sign up for my FREE Couch-to-Sabbath Guide. I've done all the thinking and planned out the teeny tiny steps to empower you to get started right away. 

Remember, Jesus' own words were that Sabbath was designed to MEET YOUR NEEDS. Full stop. It's not about a list of dos and don'ts, or a list of rules and obligations. It's a rhythm that meets your needs. I can hear a collective sigh just typing those words

Let's get started today!

Click below to listen to our three other episodes about SABBATH:

How to Start Your Own Sabbath Rhythm

The How & the Why of Our Family's Sabbath Rhythm

Reframing Resistance to Sabbath (a better title would've been--How to Deal With Resistance to Sabbath)

Here are some of my favorite resources I turned to when I began my sabbath rhythm: (contains affiliate links)

BOOKS

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. This is where sabbath all began for me! The book covers many spiritual disciplines, not just sabbath. It's my favorite gateway into making spiritual disciplines a life rhythm.

Subversive Sabbath by  A.J. Swoboda | This book has some fantastic teachings about sabbath, and it's a classic "eat the meat and spit out the bones" book. I suggest inviting the Spirit to guide you with discernment as you read.

The Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. | This is a fantastic starting point as well, beginning with establishing why spiritual disciplines are so foundational to living your best life. I personally plan to revisit this one again soon. 

PODCASTS

Sabbath 01: Stop from Rule of Life Podcast. This is the first in a series of four teachings that complements practicingtheway.org's free sabbath discipleship curriculum. Highly recommend the doing the discipleship series with a small group and complementing it with listening to this podcast series.

Sabbath (ft. Tyler Staton) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace from the John Mark Comer Teachings podcast. (There are many more JMC teachings about sabbath in this podcast playlist. When I need a refresher as to why we sabbath, this podcast is where I go for inspiration and motivation to get me back on track.)

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Text the show using the link above.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Next Summer REPLAY episode will drop September 3rd, 2025.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

Confession: I don't love this title. I don't think it accurately portrays this important discussion about sabbath that, honestly, I haven't heard much teaching on anywhere else. A better title would be "What To Do When You Face Resistance (from within or from other people) When You Begin a Sabbath Rhythm." That's a mouthful! Maybe that's why I chose the original title ;-)

Also, tune in for an important announcement at the beginning! <3

SHOW NOTES

Click below to listen to our other episodes about SABBATH from Season One:

The How & the Why of Our Family's Sabbath Rhythm

How I Began My Sabbath Rhythm

How to Start Your Own Sabbath Rhythm

Here are some of my favorite resources I turned to when I began my sabbath rhythm: (may contain affiliate links)

BOOKS

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. This is where sabbath all began for me! The book covers many spiritual disciplines, not just sabbath. It's my favorite gateway into making spiritual disciplines a life rhythm.

Subversive Sabbath by  A.J. Swoboda | This book has some fantastic teachings about sabbath, and it's a classic "eat the meat and spit out the bones" book. I suggest inviting the Spirit to guide you with discernment as you read.

The Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. | This is a fantastic starting point as well, beginning with establishing why spiritual disciplines are so foundational to living your best life. I personally plan to revisit this one again soon. 

PODCASTS

Sabbath 01: Stop from Rule of Life Podcast. This is the first in a series of four teachings that complements practicingtheway.org's free sabbath discipleship curriculum. Highly recommend the doing the discipleship series with a small group and complementing it with listening to this podcast series.

Sabbath (ft. Tyler Staton) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace from the John Mark Comer Teachings podcast. There are many more JMC teachings about sabbath in this podcast playlist. When I need a refresher as to why we sabbath, this podcast is where I go for inspiration and motivation to get me back on track.

*NEW PODCAST! As We Grow with Gretchen & Joy. Check it out!

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Text the show with the link at the top.
• Email me at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter and get my Couch-to-Sabbath guide for FREE. Our next episode will drop on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

Today I am sharing with you a new podcast I've been working on with someone I am so excited for you to meet--my friend Gretchen. You're going to love her! You're also going to love the different side of me that Gretchen brings out, our laughter, and the raw conversations and confessions we share each episode. 

Here's Episode One "On Being Loving & Finding Your Voice" of this bi-monthly (and then some) podcast for you to enjoy. Be sure to search for "As We Grow" with Gretchen & Joy wherever you listen to podcasts, and SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any episodes. (We've already released episode two as well!).

Let us know what you think! Find us on Instagram @aswegrowpod and leave us a comment.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

Over the summer we'll be re-releasing some of our most popular episodes from season one. This week we are revisiting "How to Start Your Own Sabbath Rhythm." This episode originally aired March 19, 2024. Pull up a chair.

Note: You can now support the show by clicking “Support the Show” in the show notes below. We are so thankful for any contribution that helps diffuse costs on our end so we can keep providing helpful content to you.

Show Notes:

You guys! If you've been playing around with the idea of starting a sabbath rhythm, but you're feeling tired, overwhelmed, or that it's impossible, then this is your sign to START LISTENING NOW. After listening to this episode, let me know if you still feel overwhelmed, or if you feel empowered to start small right away.

Better yet, after listening, head to www.joyabad.com and sign up for my FREE Couch-to-Sabbath Guide. I've done all the thinking and planned out the teeny tiny steps to empower you to get started right away. 

Remember, Jesus' own words were that Sabbath was designed to MEET YOUR NEEDS. Full stop. It's not about a list of dos and don'ts, or a list of rules and obligations. It's a rhythm that meets your needs. I can hear a collective sigh just typing those words

Let's get started today!

Click below to listen to our three previous episodes about SABBATH:

The How & the Why of Our Family's Sabbath Rhythm

How I Began My Sabbath Rhythm

Reframing Resistance to Sabbath (a better title would've been--How to Deal With Resistance to Sabbath)

Here are some of my favorite resources I turned to when I began my sabbath rhythm: (may contain affiliate links)

BOOKS

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. This is where sabbath all began for me! The book covers many spiritual disciplines, not just sabbath. It's my favorite gateway into making spiritual disciplines a life rhythm.

Subversive Sabbath by  A.J. Swoboda | This book has some fantastic teachings about sabbath, and it's a classic "eat the meat and spit out the bones" book. I suggest inviting the Spirit to guide you with discernment as you read.

The Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. | This is a fantastic starting point as well, beginning with establishing why spiritual disciplines are so foundational to living your best life. I personally plan to revisit this one again soon. 

PODCASTS

Sabbath 01: Stop from Rule of Life Podcast. This is the first in a series of four teachings that complements practicingtheway.org's free sabbath discipleship curriculum. Highly recommend the doing the discipleship series with a small group and complementing it with listening to this podcast series.

Sabbath (ft. Tyler Staton) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace from the John Mark Comer Teachings podcast. I referenced this teaching by Tyler Staton in the podcast today. Fantastic perspective shift for sabbath as a rhythm. (There are many more JMC teachings about sabbath in this podcast playlist. When I need a refresher as to why we sabbath, this podcast is where I go for inspiration and motivation to get me back on track.)

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Right here in the comments.
• Email at

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

Over the summer we'll be re-releasing some of our most popular episodes from season one. Next on the list is "A NEW Spiritual Discipline." This episode originally aired on December 4, 2024. Pull up a chair.

SHOW NOTES

This is a bold statement, but I think I've discovered a NEW spiritual discipline. What are your thoughts? How does this discipline help develop your surrender muscles? How has this discipline/practice helped you in the past? 

Links:

1. Finish this discussion by listening to PART 2 here.
2. The Bible Project's Hope video
3. My favorite book on spiritual disciplines 
4. My favorite resource for spiritual disciplines

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• In the comments on joyabad.com
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter on joyabad.com. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss it.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

Over the summer we'll be re-releasing some of our most popular episodes from season one. First on the list is "Surrendering Even When You 'Know' Better." This episode originally aired on November 20, 2024. Enjoy!

SHOW NOTES

In today’s episode, we’re going to step on some of my fellow recovering-control-freak’s toes. We’ll start with Jesus asking Simon (Peter) to lower his nets in the sea after he’s been fishing all night and caught nothing. As a fisherman by trade, Peter KNOWS BETTER, yet he answers, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5 esv).

When we’re talking about God’s invitation to surrender, there is no caveat that says we can wait until it starts to make sense to us.

How About You?

1. Which of your past experiences does Peter’s example trigger in your memory?
2. Do you still find yourself hung up on waiting for the understanding to come before the surrender?  
3. Are there any practices/habits you have implemented that have helped you be able to surrender before you understood the why?

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• In the comments on joyabad.com
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter on joyabad.com. Our next episode in our Summer Replay series will drop on Wednesday, July 9th. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss it.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

In this season finale, we jump in with questions about fasting that you’re afraid to ask. This episode is packed with powerful information that will keep you motivated on your fasting journey. As with all spiritual practices, we want to remind you that the goal is formation, and formation always takes time . . . lots of it. Start small, and like the other practices, begin with asking God what He wants you to do, and then follow that.

We’re signing off for the summer to focus on developing some other resources for you. Until then, take some time to catch up on episodes that you missed. But most importantly, please hit the subscribe button wherever you listen to this podcast. That will insure that our first episode of season two will automatically populate your feed when it drops. And if you wanted to get me a present for the summer, I sure would love it if you shared your favorite episode from this season with one of your friends. Let’s bring more voices around the table this fall.

Happy summer!

Fasting Resources to Get You Started: (may contain affiliate links)

BOOKS

God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis. This tiny but mighty book is life-changing! As the subtitle states, it's "a spiritual and practical guide to fasting." That's it. Order it now. You won't regret it.

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. “Fasting reveals the things that control us.”

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer.

PODCASTS

START HERE:

 “We Don’t Talk About Fasting, No, No” The first episode from this series. 

“Why We Fast Part 1: The One Where I Get Really Excited” — Our why is both spiritual and physical. In this first part, we talk about the first three reasons why we fast and dive into what’s going on physically in our bodies during a fast.

“Why We Fast Part 2: The One Where I Can’t Stop on Time”—This is part two of our “why” for fasting. We’ll explore more reasons why spiritually and physically we fast. Knowledge is power and can give you the motivation you need to stick out a longer fast.

“What Happens If You Don’t Eat For 72 Hours?!” by Dr. Mindy Pelz. This covers all the physical benefits of fasting and touches on how to break a fast. There’s a ton of great information in this one!

RESOURCES

Practicing the Way 4-week small group curriculum on fasting. This curriculum is completely free! It's beautiful, practical, and easy to navigate. Anyone can sign up (you don't have to lead a small group through it--but it does add more depth). You will have to create a login to be able to access it.

“Worst Mistake Women Make With Fasting” by Dr. Mindy Pelz This video covers three different age ranges (cycling, perimenopause, and postmenopause) for women and which days of your cycle you should/should not fast on. 

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Right here in the comments.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

I just can't stop talking about this! If you haven't already, start with Part One where we dig into the first two reasons why we fast, and today you can add on Part Two with even more biblical and scientific study behind the benefits of fasting. If you've never studied fasting, this is the episode for you to motivate you to start this rhythm.

Pull up a chair here at The Mentor's Table, and join the discussion as we continue this multi-part series on the spiritual discipline of fasting. 

Fasting Resources to Get You Started: (may contain affiliate links)

BOOKS

God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis. This tiny but mighty book is life-changing! As the subtitle states, it's "a spiritual and practical guide to fasting." That's it. Order it now. You won't regret it.

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. “Fasting reveals the things that control us.”

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer.

PODCASTS

START HERE: “We Don’t Talk About Fasting, No, No” The first episode from this series. 

“Why We Fast Part 1: The One Where I Get Really Excited” — part one of this episode.

"To Starve the Flesh and Feed the Spirit" on the John Mark Comer Teachings Podcast. You'll recognize a lot of this content because this is where I first learned it all! 

RESOURCES

Practicing the Way 4-week small group curriculum on fasting. This curriculum is completely free! It's beautiful, practical, and easy to navigate. Anyone can sign up (you don't have to lead a small group through it--but it does add more depth). You will have to create a login to be able to access it.

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Right here in the comments.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter and get my Couch-to-Sabbath guide for FREE. 

Our final episode of Season One will drop on May 21, 2025. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links