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The story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well is familiar to many, but what if everything we thought we knew about her was filtered through centuries of misinterpretation? Dr. Caryn Reeder joins us for a paradigm-shifting conversation that challenges traditional views of this remarkable biblical figure.

For generations, sermons have painted the Samaritan woman as a sexual sinner—a prostitute, a fallen woman. Yet as Dr. Reeder points out, the text of John 4 never once mentions sin or forgiveness. This deliberate sexualization and minimization of her story has had far-reaching consequences, contributing to the silencing of women's voices in Christian communities.

What emerges instead is the portrait of a theological intellectual who engages Jesus in the longest recorded conversation in the Gospel of John. Unlike Nicodemus—the powerful, educated man who meets Jesus in darkness and leaves confused—this nameless Samaritan woman meets Jesus in broad daylight and demonstrates remarkable spiritual insight. She becomes what Dr. Reeder calls a "paragon"—a touchstone against which discipleship should be measured.

The contrast couldn't be more striking: a marginalized woman becomes the first evangelist while the religious elite remain in darkness. This reversal challenges everything we think we know about spiritual authority and who God chooses to work through. When understood in its historical context, the Samaritan woman's marital history reflects the harsh realities that women faced in the ancient world, rather than a moral failure.

This conversation invites us to reconsider how we read scripture and how we value voices in our communities. What might happen if we recognized the theological contributions of those we've overlooked? How might our understanding of leadership transform if we truly saw this woman as Jesus saw her?

Learn more about Dr. Reeder's work: Westmont 

Order Caryn's book: The Samaritan Woman's Story

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Dorcas Cheng-Tozun joins us to discuss her new Bible study, "Mental Health: Experiencing God's Care for Our Mind, Body, and Spirit," and shares her personal journey through burnout, depression, and healing. We explore how faith communities can better respond to mental health needs with compassion rather than judgment, while discovering how scripture reveals God's deep understanding of our struggles.

• Made for Pax creates resources for millennials and Gen Z that incorporate art, justice, and contemplative practices
• The harmful myth that "faith is all I need" equates mental health struggles with spiritual failure
• Jesus himself experienced trauma throughout his life, giving him a profound understanding of our suffering
• Caring for our mental health is a sacred practice that increases our capacity to care for others
• Beauty and brokenness coexist in our stories, making space for both healing and struggle
• Contemplative practices like loving-kindness meditation can ground us in challenging times

Find "Mental Health: A Six-Week Interactive Bible Study" by Dorcas Chang-Tozin, published by IVY Press, available soon wherever books are sold.

Learn more about Made for Pax 

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Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
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Dr. Dru Johnson, author of What Hath Darwin To Do With Scripture? challenges our understanding of creation, evolution, and faith through an intellectually curious exploration of Darwin's observations and biblical narratives. This conversation bridges seemingly opposing worldviews by examining how Genesis might be the most Darwinian text of the ancient world.

• Creation stories in Genesis focus on habitats and inhabitants with concern for proper fit to the environment.
• Biblical authors call us beyond simplistic views of creation to understand our moral connection to the land.
• Darwin's observations about natural selection aren't inherently incompatible with biblical thinking.
• The Bible doesn't claim "as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be" but rather envisions a future reorientation of creation.
• Procreation in Scripture isn't just about making babies but about great-great-grandchildren we'll never meet.
• Parents and grandparents should create "fields with clear fences" where children can explore ideas freely, rather than following intellectual ruts.
• Christians are called to "do the work" of understanding for themselves rather than uncritically accepting what others say.

Get to know Dr. Dru Johnson: Meet Dr. Dru

Intellectually and Spiritually Curious? Order Dr. Dru's book

Learn more about The Institute of Creation Research

Creation Kids Magazine and Fabulous Resources

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Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
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Marine biologist Rachel G. Jordan explores the intersection of faith and science through her experiences studying ocean life. Her book "If the Ocean has a Soul: A Marine Biologist's Pursuit of Truth through Deep Waters of Faith and Science" reveals profound spiritual insights discovered in underwater ecosystems while challenging readers to embrace both scientific curiosity and deep faith.

• Biodiversity in marine ecosystems demonstrates how differences strengthen communities rather than divide them.
• Faith and science both seek answers to "why" questions, driven by wonder and curiosity.
• Topics like evolution and climate change aren't salvation issues, but can become unnecessary barriers to faith.
• Rachel's research on sea anemones taught her gratitude for all living things and their capacity to praise God.
• Every creature, even seemingly annoying ones like mosquitoes, has a unique way of praising its Creator.
• The kingdom of God may include incredible biodiversity - past, present, and future creatures all praising together.

Join me at Heartlift Central on Substack, where we'll continue this conversation with Rachel G. Jordan about her beautiful book "If the Ocean has a Soul."

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Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
6. Make a tax-deductible donation through Heartlift International

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What are you chasing? The elusive promise of fulfillment through success, recognition, relationships, or material possessions? Mikella Van Dyke is well acquainted with this pursuit. Growing up as the daughter of Bible translators in Thailand, she experienced firsthand the challenge of finding her identity amid cultural transitions before discovering that while she thought she was chasing God, He had actually been chasing her all along.

Mikella's perspective on Scripture and motherhood brings fresh inspiration to those feeling overwhelmed by life's demands. Drawing from Psalm 23:6, where she discovered that "follow" actually means "to chase," she reveals how God's goodness and mercy have been pursuing us with extravagant love. This revelation transformed her understanding of spiritual growth and her approach to raising five children, ages two to ten, while maintaining her ministry.

Order Mikella's book: Chasing Sacred

Find Mikella on Instagram: @chasingsacred and @mikellavandyke

Visit her website and learn more about her work: Mikella Van Dyke 

Revisit Episode 330 and join the August Social Media Reset Challenge with Janell and Author, Allie Marie Smith.

Find Allie Marie on Instagram: @alliemariesmith

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Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
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A Summer Replay of One of Our Favorite Conversations here on the podcast: Episode 108. Dr. Alison Cook guides us and helps us understand:

1. What if the overwhelming thoughts and feelings you've been trying to suppress, ignore, or overcome could actually become your greatest allies? In this profound conversation with Dr. Allison Cook, PhD, we delve into a revolutionary approach to emotional health through the concept of internal boundaries.
   
   
2. Dr. Cook introduces us to the Internal Family Systems model, which recognizes the various "parts" within our souls. These managers keep us organized and productive, the firefighters who rush to numb our pain, and the exiles who carry our deepest hurts. Rather than viewing these parts as enemies to be conquered, she teaches us how to set compassionate boundaries with them and transform them into valuable allies.
   
   
3. At the heart of this conversation is a radical truth: you get a say in your own life. For many of us, especially women, we've been conditioned to trust others' voices over our own. Dr. Cook challenges this pattern by showing how spirit-led self-leadership empowers us to honor our God-given voice while maintaining healthy relationships. This isn't selfish—it's stewardship of the unique self God created you to be.
   
   
4. We dive deep into the practical "U-turn" process—Focus, Befriend, Invite God, Unburden, and Integrate—that helps us approach overwhelming emotions with curiosity rather than condemnation. Through stories, examples, and theological insights, Dr. Cook demonstrates how this approach differs from spiritual bypassing, offering instead a truly integrated path to healing that honors both psychology and faith.
   
   
5. Perhaps most beautifully, Dr. Cook introduces us to the concept of "baptized imagination"—engaging our creative right brain alongside our analytical left brain in our healing journey. Like Jesus teaching through parables, sometimes our most profound transformation comes through imagery and narrative rather than mere logic.
   
   Whether you've struggled with people-pleasing, anger, anxiety, or any overwhelming emotion, this conversation offers hope. There's a path to freedom that doesn't require silencing parts of yourself, but instead welcoming them home. Ready to rewrite your story and discover the allies waiting within your soul? Listen now, and take your first step toward inner boundaries that truly set you free.

Visit Dr. Alison Cook's website: Boundaries for Your Soul

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Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
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The power of protective maternal love transforms families, communities, and ultimately our world. When Tara Hackney adopted her daughter from India, a transformative realization occurred during a tender moment of singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" to her traumatized toddler. The beloved song's lyrics—"red and yellow, black and white"—suddenly felt exclusionary. Where was brown? This gap inspired Tara to reimagine the lyrics to "every color, every shade, just exactly as He made," creating a beautiful children's board book that celebrates diversity as an intentional part of God's grand design.

Tara's story weaves together adoption, diversity, and spiritual formation in profound ways. After raising three biological sons, she and her husband adopted two Indian girls, creating what she lovingly describes as twins born "not from my body, but in my heart." The adoption process—what she calls a "paper pregnancy"—required intentionality, sacrifice, and family-wide commitment. Rather than diminishing her relationship with her sons, adoption enriched their family dynamic and cultivated compassion and nurturing qualities in her boys.

This conversation offers a refreshing perspective on the transformative power of motherhood, whether through biological, adoptive, or mentoring relationships. As we embrace diversity and nurture faith in the next generation, we participate in God's grand design—creating a world where every child feels represented, valued, and deeply loved. Ready to explore how your maternal influence can change lives? Listen now and discover how to unleash the power of your presence into the world.

Learn more about Tara Hackney's Work: Jesus Loves

Listen to Jesus Loves the Little Children Adaptation: Jesus Loves on Spotify

Read more on Tara's Blog: Tara Hackney

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Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
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5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
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What if the moments spent endlessly scrolling are robbing you of the life you were meant to live? In this eye-opening conversation, Janell welcomes Allie Marie Smith, founder of Wonderfully Made and author of "Social Media Reset: A 30-Day Guided Journey to Unplug, Reconnect with God and Reclaim Your Joy."

Allie shares her profound personal story of battling severe depression as a teenager that led to hospitalization and a suicide attempt at the Golden Gate Bridge. Through a miraculous encounter with God's love, she found purpose in founding a ministry dedicated to helping women know their God-given value. Now, she's tackling one of the biggest threats to women's mental health today: our relationship with social media.

The numbers are sobering. Spending just two to three hours daily on social media equates to losing six to eight years of your precious life to scrolling. "We can now die with more memories of other people's lives than of our own," Allie cautions. She challenges us to consider what we're seeking inside our digital worlds and offers practical boundaries that have helped her overcome addiction while still using social media positively.

Most exciting is Allie's invitation to join the "Unplugged and Flourishing Movement" this August - a simultaneous 30-day reset for women of all ages to unplug, reconnect with God, and pray for the young girls whose mental health is being devastated by social media.

Join us for this transformative conversation, and discover how unplugging might be your path to rediscovering joy. Learn more and join the movement at alliemariesmith.com.

Order Allie's new book: Social Media Reset

Take Allie's Quiz: Social Media + Your Wellbeing

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Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
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What happens when society values people solely by their economic output? In this powerful conversation, Janell welcomes classics scholar Nadya Williams, author of "Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic: Ancient Christianity and the Recovery of Human Dignity" (IVP), to explore how our modern devaluation of motherhood parallels pre-Christian attitudes toward women and children. Prepare to have your perspective challenged.

Nadia's book "Mothers, Children and the Body Politic: Ancient Christianity and the Recovery of Human Dignity" examines the striking similarities between ancient Greco-Roman views of women as "intellectually lightweight" and "vessels" for children, and today's cultural messages suggesting women without children are happier and wealthier. When presidential candidates on both sides agree that stay-at-home mothers are "bad for the GDP," we must ask: Have we lost sight of human dignity?

Order Nadya's new book: Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic

Learn more from Nadya: Nadya Williams

Read The Bloomberg Report: Women Who Stay Single and Don't Have Kids Are Getting Richer.

Read "Does Having Children Make You Happier?"

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Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
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 Dr. Holly Catterton Allen reveals that spirituality is crucial to childhood resilience. She explains that children are born as spiritual beings with an inherent capacity for deep relationships with self, others, and God. She challenges traditional approaches to children's faith formation by emphasizing contemplative practices and "wondering questions" instead of formulaic answers.

• Children are born spiritual beings, not just physical, emotional, and intellectual ones.
• Spirituality encompasses three essential relationships: with self, others, and God.
• Research shows spirituality ranks as a key protective factor in childhood resilience.
• Creating space for questions without immediate answers builds authentic spiritual growth.
• Simple practices like asking "Who are you in the story?" can open meaningful spiritual conversations.
• Children don't need all protective factors to be resilient if they have a meaningful connection to God.
• Knowing God as present, understanding, and healing provides "the most powerful resilience armor."

Try asking the children in your life open-ended "wondering questions" this week, and see how it enriches your conversations and deepens your connections.

Visit Dr. Holly Catterton Allen here: InterGenerate Conference

Order "Forming Resilient Children."

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Begin Your Heartlifter's Journey:

1. Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide.
2. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY
3. Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon
4. Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW
5. Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon
6. Make a tax-deductible donation through Heartlift International