The Small Town Girl Podcast with Jenn VanHekken

Craig Denison, the Founder of First15, shares how God led him into ministry and called him to create space and tools for himself and others to spend time in His presence.

He shares why silence and contemplation are core practices for growing in our relationship with Christ, why book-ending our days with prayer and scripture are integral to our faith, and how making space for God to fill is changing hearts and lives across the country and across the world.

Plus we talk about Stephen King, the intersection of culture and Christianity, and...of course...the Enneagram.

Where to Find Craig:

First 15

The Denison Forum

Facebook

What he recommends: 

On Writing by Stephen King

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

The Cloud of Unknowing

Stefany Gretzinger

Johnny Stimson

JOAN

How I Built This Podcast

Building a Storybrand with Donald Miller

What he said: 

"He [God] was inviting me into an opportunity to step away from seeking affirmation, and affection, and identity from the world, and instead, find those things in him."

"I'm finding a lot of fruit within the practice of Christian contemplation...not trying to get revelation from Him [God], but simply being with Him."

"If everything else goes away, I'm content to just be in His [God's] presence."

"There's actual scientific studies surrounding the power of silence and meditation.  It helps us to control the brain mass around our amygdala and empowers us to control our emotions and anxiety more, empowers you to be present in the day so that you can think more, have better clarity, help you enjoy your life more.  There's incredible study around silence."

"Church is meant to simply be a gathering where we celebrate what God has already done throughout the week, not a time that is our connection point with Him...I think we have that completely twisted and backward."

"What is most important is leading with a personal, authentic faith ourselves and letting our Christianity be thriving and vibrant on Monday just as much as it is on Sunday."

"What if we began to lead with asking good questions and listening and sharing our own stories, instead of giving answers? I think it would cultivate relationships and produce far better fruit than what we are currently doing."

"God is not a God that needs us, but He wants us.  He doesn't need us to advance His kingdom, but he wants to co-labor with us in the process."

Chuck DeGroat Chuck is Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary in Holland MI, and Co-Founder and a Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco. He is a licensed therapist, author, retreat leader, and spiritual director. 

Chuck’s first book is Leaving Egypt: Finding God in the Wilderness Places (Square Inch), a look at how the Exodus story meets us in our stories of fear to freedom. His second book, The Toughest People to Love (Eerdmans) focuses on caring for the most difficult people we encounter. His third book Wholeheartedness (Eerdmans) brings a vision of wholeness amidst our perfectionism and shame-based culture. His self-published Lenten devotional is Falling Into Goodness.

An anticipated next book due in early 2020 is called When Narcissism Comes to Church (IVP).

Where to find him:

Website: Chuck DeGroat

Facebook

Twitter: @chuckdegroat

What He Recommends:

Books:

The Heart of Trauma by Bonnie Badenoch

The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut

Leadership and the Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut

The Science Behind Tapping

Shows to Watch:

Limetown on Facebook Watch

Castle Rock on Hulu

The Man in the Highcastle on Amazon Prime

The Crown on Netflix

Podcasts:

The Leader's Journey

What He Said:

"I started to realize that I was the one teaching this stuff, but really I was the one that needed it."

"At the heart of counseling, we just want to be known...I'm about cultivating a life of being known, and it happ

Rabbi Michael Schadick, of Temple Emanuel, sits down and talks about his faith, his community, and the importance of seeing others as being created in God's image. 

He shares the story of Hanukkah and explains its role in Jewish culture.  He also shares about his favorite holiday, Sukkot, and gives us a picture of what it truly means to celebrate the gifts we have been given.

Plus...he reminds us that we are all more alike than we are different, and encourages us to embrace each other as tzelem Elohim.

Where you can find him:

Temple Emanuel

Facebook

What he recommends:

The Meaning of God in Modern Jewish Religion by Mordecai Kaplan

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin

Hotel California by The Eagles

News of the World by Queen

Chopped on the Food Network

What he says:

"When I hold up a Jewish Bible and when I hold up a Christian Bible, I have to remind people that the text itself...2/3 of the words...are exactly the same."

"We're not all the same, but people should look at the differences and say: If I learn about someone else's faith, it might enhance my own faith." 

"We believe unequivocally that we are all created in God's image."

"Even if the story [of Chanukah] isn't exactly true, it's a story of fighting for the right to worship in the way we want to, and that is why it is so important."

"Both Christmas and Chanukah remind us to bring light to the world that is filled with darkness, hate, and animosity...it's up to us to spread that light."

"When I talk about faith, I talk about strengthening your relationship with God...I like to remind people that the best time to establish that relationship is when things are good, and not only when times are tough."

Dr. Tabatha Barber of PrivaMD sits down and shares her personal journey of health, and the way that functional medicine changed her life.  She shares the way that our daily habits and our mental health are affecting our physical health and the simple changes we can make to begin to heal.

She shares the way that her life story influenced her journey into medicine, why chronic illness is on the rise, and why we should allow our kids to play in the dirt.  Plus, she reminds us of the importance of slowing down, and why we need to embrace our worth as children of God.

Where to Find Her:

PrivaMD

Facebook

Instagram

What She's Reading:

Beyond Fasting by Dr. Daniel Pompa

The Wizard of Us by Jean Huston Brene Brown

What She's Listening To:

Luke Bryan

What She's Watching:

Big Little Lies

What She Said:

18:36 "Once patients understand it [functional medicine], it's so rewarding. This is real healing."

22:40 "I think so many women need to hear that change is OK.  You gave everything you had, and it was good, but change is OK."

23:22 "Your emotional and spiritual health are just as important as your physical health."

31:10 "We have all of these bacteria in our body that keep us healthy and protect us, but we have wiped them out.  We have sanitized our lives to the point that we have killed all of the good bacteria that were protecting us. We've over-sterilized our lives."

35:08 "Just because we are always busy from dusk 'til dawn, doesn't mean it's normal or OK.  We've created this crazy society where we need to be go-go-go, but that is not how our bodies were created to function."

36:26 "Quit drinking so much alcohol. We drink alcohol like it's just a regular drink, and it's affecting our health."

38:48 "We slip into these bad habits, but because everybody is doing it, we don't realize the damage that it's causing."

47:52 "What do you have to lose? You're already in pain, you're already miserable, you're already overweight, you're already not sleeping...so that's either going to continue or you're actually going to feel differently."

Josh & Jenn's Enneagram Gift-Giving Guide 2019:

Listen in as Josh and Jenn share their gift selections for each number of the Enneagram.  From espresso makers to chenille blankets and dance lessons to cash, you'll find something for everyone...and by using the Enneagram, you'll be sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

Enneagram 1: The Perfectionist / The Reformer:

• IRobot Roomba 675 - Target $249.99
• Nespresso by D'Longhi Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee & Espresso Maker with Frother - Macy's $124.99
• Gift card to the Container Store
• Away Luggage - awayluggage.com - From $325.00

Enneagram 2: The Helper

• Donation to a favorite charity in their name:
  • Mel Trotter Ministries
  • World Vision
  • Every Woman's Place
• Personalized work bag / Stationery - Vistaprint
• Art 101 Wooden 142 piece art set - amazon.com $24.99

Enneagram 3: The Achiever / The Performer

• Apple Watch Series 5 - Best Buy $349.99
• Personalized Erin Condren Day Planner - erincondren.com from $35.00
• Cosori coffee mug and warmer set - amazon.com $39.99
• Hello Fresh / Amazon Prime / Housekeeping services

Enneagram 4: The Individualist / The Creative<

Angie Leigh Monroe sits down and shares her story of overcoming the message that she wasn't good enough in order to have a voice to reach the nations.  She shares how she started DIVAS Impact and the work that they are doing to empower and equip women to share their stories and recognize that they are enough. Plus...we talk about why our words toward other women matter and how we can each be a voice that others long to hear.

Find Angie Here:

Facebook

Instagram

Warrior DIVAS podcast

Women Equipping Women

Angie's Recommendations:

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

Sergeant York

What she said:

20:40 "You can't teach the Bible unless you're committed to learning it for yourself first."

22:54 "A lot of times we're struggling with everyone else's success, and we've got to get over that mentality."

24:35 "We just want to be real with women and talk with them about the things that they need to talk about."

29:48 "The weight of being able to walk more freely, more boldly, and more confidently without having to stuff and suppress your emotions is huge."

41:40 "I refuse to address how men speak about us until we do better speaking about ourselves and others...we have to start shifting the current with our own tongues."

52:10 "Embrace the moments you're in because you have a significant impact right where you're at."

Jenny Randle sits down and chats about what it means to be a Courageous Creative, and how creativity brings us closer to the creator.  She shares the journey that brought her from New York to Hollywood and now down to Florida as she follows God's leading on her life, and why it's so important to find our identity in Christ as we pursue his purpose for us.  Plus...we talk about our parallel journeys that have led us to this point in life, AND...we talk about her EMMY (and how much she had to pay for it!) 

Find Jenny Here:

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Courageous Creative Book

Recommendations:

Refine and Restore by Rachel Swanson

Logos Software

What she said: 

"Understanding your identity in Christ is foundational stuff.  If you don't have that foundation, when you step into your calling, it's going to be really wobbly."

"The idea of my purpose being to glorify and enjoy God took the pressure off of every area of performance that I felt called to."

"You're discrediting God when you're not giving him honor for the things he's doing in your life."

"We are meant to be leaders and influencers in the sphere that we are placed in...Understanding creativity and how it applies to us, directly impacts the influence and the levels of influence that we have in those spaces."

"If we're creating from a healthy space, it's actually an act of worship."

"I want a full picture of the gospel and how I relate to it. Not in a self-centered way, but in a Christ-centered way."

"My circumstances don't define who He is, but it's the other way around."

Author and Speaker Kat Armstrong sits down and shares her desire to embolden women to be all in for Jesus.  She shares how her organization, Polished Ministries, is reaching a demographic of women that the church is missing, and why marriage and family does not have to be our highest call.  Plus...she shares her desire to help women understand Jesus's heart for them, and the amazing mentor that started her on her journey...hint, hint...it's BETH MOORE!

Find Kat Here:

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Polished Ministries

Recommendations:

Advent by Fleming Rutledge

U2

Hillsong

What she said:

13:56 "Because many of our traditional church models are focused on marriage and motherhood, I felt a little bit displaced."

14:48 "The only religious behavior that has increased among women over the last 25 years is becoming unchurched."

24:56 "I raised my hand and said: I am afraid. I am afraid of learning too much about Jesus because I am a woman."

27:45 "The church has gendered the greatest commandment.  We have made loving God with our heart and soul women's work, and we have made loving God with our mind and strength men's work. And that is not how God designed it."

32:30 "God is for women, he has always been for women."

42:41 "I am putting all of my eggs in this basket: God will make all things new."

Yonathan Moya, Founder and Director of Border Perspective, shares his ministry journey from growing up in an immigrant family to now serving those who live and struggle along the Mexican-American border.  He shares the way that his parents' faithfulness to serving along the border has shaped his perspective, and the way that an 800 mile road trip with his brother changed his entire life.

Find Yonathan here:

Instagram

Facebook

Border Perspective Website

Yonathan's Recommendations:

The Way of the Warrior by Erwin McManus

What he said:

13:05 "Because we grew up on the border, we felt like growing up we were very misunderstood."

14:00 "The border is full of culture, and richness, and people and beauty. It's full of different languages and different ethnicities...there's so much there that is more than just to categorize it under this national security situation."

18:34 "I want to become more and more like Jesus. In not only the things that I preach, but in the things that I do."

34:00 "Why is it easy for us to fund a $100,000 trip to Honduras, but not come to the aid of that same Honduran who is in reach of our border?"

39:42 "[The Political climate] has caused challenges, but it's also caused opportunities."

47:52 "I was looking for the church to lead me...but my church and my leaders were not leading me...so Border Perspective came about as I wrestled with that." 

Christy Pacanowski sits down and shares her heart for living, inspiring, and empowering a life of purpose in herself and others.  She shares how she's helping women discover who they were created to be, embrace their talents, and live into their mission.  Plus, we talk about raising teens, embracing our own personality types, and why finding an accountability partner is a priority.

Find Christy here:

Cultivate Purpose

Instagram

Embolden Studio

Christy's recommendations:

What They Meant for Evil by Rebecca Deng

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

Educated by Tara Westover

Andy Stanley

For the Love with Jen Hatmaker

What she said: 

18:28 "It's so easy for us as women to look at other people and think: I want to be like them!"

21:10 "When you are living outside of your path, you are going to get worn out and tired and frazzled."

21:16 "I love to help people connect to what their purpose is and what their mission is, and what it looks like for them to live it out."

28:47 "Saying yes to something, means saying no to something else."

38:00 "Women embracing who they really are and giving their time to their mission, and saying no to the things they shouldn't be doing, all of a sudden frees up the space and the mental capacity and the time to walk in what it is and really live it out."

45:45 "You're not exhausted when you're not chasing someone else's purpose or following in someone else's path."