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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

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We have been trying to make this episode happen for– no lie– probably over a year now. But without schedule conflicts, sickness, and even technology barriers, it is finally in your hands. Parents of teens, grandparents of teens– this one’s for you. But parents of younger kids, this is not one to sleep on, as many of these topics will begin forming far before the teen years. 

Lindsay King, my sister, and a mother of three teenagers is on the show today sharing some points that she sat down and intentionally wrote out just for herself one day on how she wanted to be present in this season of having teens. From what teens need to what we can expect in these years, we’re covering conversations on identity, friendship, discernment, and moving towards making big life decisions. 

It is SO good– but before you think this is only a parenting conversation, what I love about Lindsay and this conversation is that she takes everything inward first. Yes, we want to teach these to our kids, but are we walking them out? Yes, we want to be intentional in these areas and topics with our teens, but are they catching it in the way we live just as much as we’re speaking it? 

It’s an episode of encouragement, laughter, wisdom, direction, grace, and soul-searching as parents. We had so much fun discussing it all, and I know it will spark so many thoughts for you as well.

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You love her and we have her back— Dr. Emily Jones is on the podcast with us this week to tackle another conversation on an uncomfortable topic: grief. 

Like every other topic, Emily brings wisdom, truth, grace, and even humor into these topics that can feel heavy and uncomfortable, and grief is no different. 

While walking us through lessons and truths about grief Emily shares her personal stories and experiences through family crisis and ultimately, in the passing of her Dad. 

In all of this, what I kept feeling through Emily’s story and insight is that we have permission to grieve. Unlike parenting and other uncomfortable conversations we might have, Emily leaves room today for what grief can look like in so many different experiences— and in so many different hearts. Because grief shouldn’t be compared. 

Whether you are grieving right now, you love someone who is, or if grief is an old friend, we hope you find solace in today’s episode that grief shouldn’t be compared, God is still good, joy still exists and even commingles with our sorrow, and that grief can actually be an act of worship through lament.

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It’s still January, and we’re all still dreaming of the blank slate before us. We wanted to take this week to talk with you on planning your year with intentionality. Naturally, we had to revisit the topic of word of the year– covering what it is, what it isn’t, what it can be, and why it’s so helpful. We also share encouragement and advice on setting better rhythms and habits for ourselves and our families, as scripture beckons us to live wisely and purposefully. What I love about this episode is that we get the opportunity to talk about how having clean closets and better morning routines won’t make us more godly, but without as much distractions and busyness, it can help us to live more presently in the purposes God has for us. We hope you enjoy it and leave today feeling encouraged and empowered to make even the smallest changes to create margin for the most important parts of life– loving God and loving people. 

For the Power Sheets Goal Planner we talked about in this episode as well as many other helpful resources, check out Cultivate What Matters. 

If you haven’t read Habits of the Household, make sure you get your copy!

To grab the study on Rest Lindsay mentioned or check out many other great topical studies, check out Daily Grace Co.

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Happy New Year and welcome back, friends! I can’t believe it’s already 2026, and that will for sure take me a month or two to get used to writing. We are starting this new year together with a wonderful episode I just know you’re going to love. Nicole Gregory is on the podcast with Lindsay and myself, and you won’t want to miss it. If you don’t know Nicole, she is so much fun, but she is just full of authenticity and an open book when it comes to just about anything— her story included. Nicole talks about growing up with a great childhood and how her parents divorce began the habit of building a wall of protection around her that led to self-sufficiency in so many areas. Through heartbreak,  marriage, making her 5 year plan, seeking for identity in work, and raising + protecting her kids, Nicole illustrates how so many things led to her continuing to build her walls around her heart and those she loved. But the beautiful part is hearing how the Lord used His word, people, and EMDR counseling to break down those walls. It’s relatable, convicting, and the perfect start to our new year together– we can’t wait for you to listen!

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If we’re being honest, sometimes we can secretly feel like the Christmas story is so well-known that we don’t really need to spend time with it during the season. In an application-heavy culture, we can question the necessity of sitting in the story again and again. But perhaps that’s why we need to. Because the Christmas story was the beginning of the fulfilment of prophecy. It was the Gospel unfolding. And maybe what we need more than another how-to is simply to sit in wonder and awe at His feet. So today, we want to do that with you. 

In a Christmas Favorites episode, Lindsay and I participate in a This or That Christmas edition challenge, compare notes on favorite traditions, movies, and foods– but most importantly, we dive into our favorite parts of this miraculous story we call Christmas as we sit in wonder at all God’s done and who He is.

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Despite all of the magical things that Christmas time brings each year, this season can often be characterized as busy, stressful, and tiring. We’ve all felt it— some might even call it holiday burnout. But I want to reframe our perspective today by going back to the first Christmas in hopes to persuade you that no matter what our circumstances, Christmas can and should still be one of the sweetest times for us as believers. A time that instead of everything depending entirely on us— something we simply get to receive. This was a topic I got the privilege to share at the North Monroe Christmas Gathering recently, and I wanted to share it with you here as you prepare for the holidays in your home.

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We have a great show for you this week! Hannah Hughes is on the podcast, and she is sharing her story about growing up with common misconceptions about what a “good” Christian is. Hannah is a wife, mom, author, podcaster, and barista in Denver, Colorado. She is passionate about sharing what God has taught her in her story. As a teen in church dealing with taboo topics like mental health, depression, and suicidal ideation, Hannah vulnerably shares her story of dismantling what she thought the Christian walk should look like as she shares her incredibly engaging story of what her Christian walk has looked like. Hannah brings truth and wisdom to hard topics like the science and spirituality in mental health, striving versus abiding, and redefining purpose in God’s terms. Hannah shares stories from her life in seasons of depression, miscarriage, mentorship, and ministry as she illustrates God’s perfect love and redemption in it all. Trust me, make sure to listen and share it with a friend who needs it, because Hannah brings powerful and much-needed truths to these conversations. 

For more from Hannah Hughes, make sure you check out her show and give her a follow so you can stay in the loop of what comes next!

Podcast: https://thehannahhughes.my.canva.site/by-words-links

Instagram: @thehannahhughes

YouTube Channel: @thebywordsshow

Check out Hannah’s book Waking Up: Living Open.