The Saltworks

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Valorie Lurry is on the podcast this week, and it is an incredible and powerful story. Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, Val’s story took a turn when she was kidnapped from her home at age 14. The horror of the next 24 hours is one that Val never thought she’d find herself in. A survivor of the trauma she experienced, she now had a long road of healing ahead. What many may not expect is the powerful forgiveness and grace that would follow. 

Val recently launched her book of her story called ‘Round the Bend: A Memoir of Survival, Forgiveness, and Grace. The book is just so well written with multiple perspectives given by friends and family that have walked alongside Val through this journey. Make sure you grab your copy today by clicking the links below, and give Val a follow to see where her story takes her next. 

Trigger warnings: For those listening with little ears or those who may be triggered by topics surrounding kidnapping and assault, we will be discussing these topics today, but Val handles all of it with such care and honesty. 

For Val’s website and to order a copy of your book, click here. 

For more information, follow Val on Facebook and Instagram to see what the Lord’s doing through her story. 

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If you know her, you love her already! Ashley Minor is on the podcast this week, and as always she is just a delight. Today we are finally getting to sit down and talk all about Ashley’s debut book Aisle 29: Where Heaven Met My Hurry. Well acquainted with waiting seasons, Ashley shares with us her story of finding herself in a place she didn’t want to be wondering what the purpose was. We talk about her time at Walmart and how what felt forgotten really prompted her purpose– writing her book for the world to read. Ashley goes into breaking down different places we can be in our waiting, the lies we can feel tempted to believe here, and what’s actually true in each. It’s a great read and a great conversation– we hope you enjoy and find encouragement today that He sees you and you are never forgotten nor forsaken. 

If you haven’t already, make sure you order a copy (or two) of Ashley’s book here. 

And don’t forget to follow Ashley in all the places she’s sharing and pointing others to Christ!

Ashley's Website 

Ashley's Instagram

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We have a great episode for you today, because Patricia Niswanger is on the Saltworks, and she is just a gem! Today, Patricia shares her story with us growing up in church as the baby of four kids, marrying her high school sweetheart, and beginning a family while he played in the NFL. Patricia is a mom of 5 great kids, she’s the director of the Monroe co-op, and she has homeschooled all of her children. Patricia always shares the grief they experienced as a family when they lost their beautiful daughter at 21 weeks. Patricia’s spirit of joy and peace amidst the deep heartache is such a testament to the Lord. As you’ll hear in this episode, Patricia has a heart for ministry, raising kids, and encouraging other moms who find themselves struggling with purpose, comparison, or need for grace. No matter where you are in life or what your life choices, Patricia just brings a deep breath into these questions we carry as moms and a balm to your spirit. So pull up a chair, press play, and be encouraged.

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This week Lindsay swapped into the role of host, and we are talking all about countercultural choices in parenting and family choices. Today, Lindsay interviews me largely on what led us to homeschool and the reasons behind that decision. I honestly expected it to be more on homeschool topics, but truthfully it just ended up being an honest and vulnerable conversation about what it looks like to try and intentionally parent and disciple your kids in this busy, chaotic world. If you aren’t a homeschool parent and aren’t interested in homeschooling, don’t worry– this conversation is still for you. If you are interested in homeschooling, we cover plenty of questions in that realm as well. We enjoyed this conversation and we hope it challenges you and pushes you to pray intentionally over parenting decisions– it certainly did for us! And if steps on your toes, know that we are right there with you trying to navigate these choices as best we can too. 

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With every new introduction in technology, opinions run the gamut. Is this bad, good, helpful, or somewhere in between? What are the dangers? Capabilities? These are all good questions to ask, so today, we’re asking them about AI with Jordy McKaskle, a pastor at North Monroe Baptist Church. Like all conversations we have on the Saltworks, this is not one meant to tell anyone what to do or how to use any of the tools we discuss. This conversation is simply to pose questions and challenge our thinking as we all step forward in the newest technological advancements together. We’re discussing pros and cons of AI, specific uses, personal boundaries, the importance of human connection, and ultimately, our call to heed the Spirit as Christians. I hope you’ll find this conversation to be very balanced and thought provoking as you consider your own personal convictions with technology. We certainly had fun recording it! And if we happened to discuss Disney an inordinate amount, well that’s just a bonus. 

If you’re curious about the video we reference with statistics we shared today, you can watch it for yourself right here.

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If you’ve been following the Saltworks for a while, then you’re in for a treat because Phyllis Thomas is back today sharing her wisdom and all about her new book I Never Knew: Finding Healing and Renewal After Trauma. If you know her, then you know that Phyllis is an open book and she never does anything halfway. Today, we talk about everything from roles she’s had, her story, her family, and the shock and surprise of finding out her father was Phil Robertson. I don’t care how many times I’ve heard it, I cry every time she tells it. I always learn so much from Phyllis, but what struck me most in this week’s conversation was the veracity in which she attacks each assignment God places in front of her. Whether it’s a job, a ministry, or simply her role as a daughter or grandparent. She just sees the world differently, and I love getting to see it through her eyes. It’s through this same lens that Phyllis shares with us the hope we have in Jesus Christ, and that there is indeed healing and renewal after trauma through Him, Christian counseling, and forgiveness.

If you’ve ever struggled with parenting out of anxiety or fear, this episode is for you. If you’ve needed family reconciliation or blending a family, this episode is for you. If you have past trauma that you don’t know what to do with, this episode is for you. If you hear about counseling but don’t know when it’s time to go, this episode is for you. We hope you enjoy and please click the link below to preorder your copy today! 

I Never Knew: Finding Healing and Renewal After Trauma by Phyllis Robertson Thomas. 

Be sure to check out Phyllis’s website here for more information, and follow her journey on Instagram!

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Welcome back to the Saltworks podcast! It’s so good to say those words again. We have missed y'all and being you every week, and now it is officially Season FIVE which is absolutely insane to us! To kick off this season, Lindsay and I are sharing today what we’ve lovingly been calling the state of the podcast episode. We realize we had a somewhat abrupt end to Season 4 followed by silence, so today we’re sharing where we went, what we’ve been up to, what we’re learning from the Lord, and what’s going on with the Saltworks. We’re covering it all from newborn days and adjusting to having three children to lingering burnout and questioning where the Lord has you. We are so excited you’re here, the new season is beginning, and what God has in store for all of us. We hope you enjoy and that you will reach out so we can hear from you!

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Today’s episode is a live recording from Abide in the Word Conference. Jesus promises us that in this life, we will have trouble. Some seasons of loss, grief, waiting, and heartache can feel like we are just ready to walk away from hope or faith. If that’s where you are today, you’re not alone. In today’s message, we are digging deep into the life of John the Baptist and that one poignant question he would ask Jesus in his darkest moment of despair, “are you the one?” Truthfully, we’ve all had moments of asking that in some way or another, and this story has been one I’ve wrestled with in the past. But today, instead of being discouraged from John’s story, there is much to take hope in when we stop to listen to Jesus’s response– not just to John, but to all who come to Him. 

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Rachael Alaia is on the podcast this week, friends, and you do not want to miss this episode! You may know her on Instagram as the Kingdom Mother where she’s writing Christian content that brings encouragement to moms and women everywhere. But today, Rachael is sharing her story of how she once sought to find meaning in witchcraft, rituals, spells, and divinations. It was such a rich conversation getting to hear Rachael’s story but also the compassionate truth she brings into each area. The truth is, no matter what we’ve sought to fill our lives with, we’ve all sought purpose outside of Jesus Christ.

Rachael boldly shares how vulnerable and destabilizing it felt to begin to question her beliefs she’d held for so long—and the fears she wrestled as she secretly read the Bible. Rachael tells about a pivotal moment in her world beliefs when she found herself in the hospital with her son, and feeling helpless to save him, called upon the name of Jesus.

Lastly, Rachael shares the tools she’s created to help moms regulate their nervous systems by pointing back to Christ in every step of the way. She’s answering questions like: why isn’t this self-help, how is this biblical, and where we can find more information from her. Trust me—just press play and be blessed!

For more from Rachael Alaia, make sure you are following her on Instagram as the Kingdom Mother or you can follow her on Substack for more updates and writing here.

To access the resource Rachael has created for help regulating our nervous system, click here.

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Andrew Dodson is on the podcast this week sharing his story and passion in life. Andrew is a husband, father, and a partner at Banner Institute with his doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy. Andrew takes us through his story today as a child raised in church, but a teen who followed his own path until he surrendered his life at age 18 in his grandfather’s attic.

Beginning to follow the Lord’s call, Andrew knew early on that he felt passionate about seeing people become who they were called to be. Today, he takes us through that journey and how each transition in programs, careers, and moves felt like jumping off a cliff. Andrew’s story is relatable and convicting as it showcases the trust and faith each new step takes. 

In today’s episode, Andrew also encourages parents with children wandering similar paths, shares poignant truths about sanctification, his heart for the world of counseling, and what God’s doing in his life. We can’t wait for you to listen! 

For resources from today’s episode, make sure to check out the following links!

Banner Institute - Counseling, Victim Advocacy, Neurofeedback, Intensives, and Coaching 

The Carpenter’s Shed - Where Young Men Find Purpose, Meaning, and Direction