Unshakable Hope Podcast

Michelle Rahal, award-winning author and storyteller, strengthens our faith with modern-day stories of God’s miraculous care, healing, presence, and power. We’ll be drawing from her research and weekly newsletter, A Glimpse of Holy, as well as a few jaw-dropping stories from her own life. These God-stories will fill our hearts with a biblical view of the greatness and nearness of our holy God.

Verses referenced: Jeremiah 29:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 3:20; Romans 8:28; Joel 2:25

Connect: Michelle Layer Rahal

Sign up for Michelle's: A Glimpse of Holy

Connect: KellyHall.org Email: [email protected]

Do you need to be reminded how much God loves you? Check out this free devo: Held in the Wilderness: 31 Stories to Secure My Worth in God's Love

00:00 Miracle Healing Testimony

01:19 Meet Michelle Rahal

02:49 From Ritual to Relationship

04:21 Divorce and Bible Awakening

08:14 2014 Crisis and Stroke

10:20 Gratitude in Hard Times

12:02 Healed Brain Scan Surprise

12:55 Why Share God Stories

14:36 Glimpse of Holy Favorites

15:20 Barbara’s Prayer Rescue

19:50 Pastor David’s Mexico Calling

20:51 Mexico Mission Full Circle

23:35 Seeing Hidden Impact

24:21 Wilms Tumor Breakthrough

27:51 Everyday Miracle Rescue

30:17 Healing From MS

36:05 Prayer Beyond Our Will

37:52 Miracle Working God

Lori Armstrong describes God’s faithfulness and countless answers to prayer following her baby’s diagnosis with retinoblastoma. Although he was expected to lose his eyes and his life, God miraculously preserves both. He also blessed her son with a precious childlike faith that continues into adulthood. Lori describes how God provided treasures in the darkness after the loss of her husband and both her parents. Her journey helps us trust the constant love of God who holds us in His steadfast love and redeems our hard stories.

Verses referenced: John 9:1-3; Ephesians 3:20; Isaiah 45:3; Isaiah 44:1-5; Psalm 16:11; John 16:33; John 10:10

00:00 Finding Comfort In Darkness

01:11 How Do We Trust God’s love in Ongoing Hardship?

04:39 How Does God Prepare Us For Hardship?

07:25 Devastating Diagnosis

09:31 John 9 Promise

12:37 Miracles And Survival

13:44 Praying For Brad

23:49 Treasures In Darkness

27:09 Clinging To Scripture

30:04 Isaiah 44 Confirmation

37:46 Joy In God’s Presence

42:15 Abundant Life In Opposition

If you are searching for treasures in a dark season, consider meditating on God's love for you through this free devotional: Held in the Wilderness: 31 Stories to Secure Your Worth in God's Love

I'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

Lara Silverman, a Stanford Law graduate and former U.S. Attorney’s Office hire, shares how a sudden, rare neurological illness left her mostly bedridden for eight years, forcing her to resign and endure years of misdiagnoses, failed treatments, and isolation while God repeatedly comforted her through Scripture and community. In a story only God could write, Matt, newly diagnosed with stage four intestinal cancer, became her husband. In their brief marriage, they modeled “joy in grief" and served others through music and biblical teaching. Lara later found renewed joy through comedy, wrote the memoir Singing Through Fire from her bed, and emphasizes trusting God’s higher ways and eternal purpose in suffering.

01:13 Meet Laura Silverman

03:17 Laura Finds The Show

05:14 Dream Career Derailed

10:46 God Speaks In Suffering

17:15 When God Says No

21:39 Surrendering The Why

24:51 Chemo Pump Plot Twist

27:39 Joy in Grief Ministry

30:15 Wrestling Toward Surrender

36:35 Finding Joy After Matt Died

42:42 Holding Joy and Grief Together

45:41 Eternal Weight of Glory

Verses Referenced: 2 Timothy 2:13; Job 3:15; Isaiah 55:8-9; Psalm 34:18; Philippians 1:24-25; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 5:16; Ephesians 2:10; John 11:25

Connect: Watch the Singing Through Fire podcast on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/5n8y76dn

Listen on your favorite podcast streaming platform: https://tinyurl.com/2td8xd9x

Connect on Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/536k9x8u

Connect on Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/23v3mdfu

Book: Singing Through Fire: Finding Surprising Joy in Life's Darkest Trials

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

Email: [email protected]

Free 31-day devo: KellyHall.org/resources

Cara Shine grew up as the only Jewish child in her area where antisemitic bullying left her feeling rejected not only by peers, but also by Jesus. Her perspective shifted years later during the terrifying Beltway sniper attacks. Overwhelmed by fear, a simple prayer offered by a colleague opened her heart to Jesus' love. Cara describes her awe and joy as she came to know and fall in love with the one true Jesus, her Jewish Messiah. This story of redemption offers profound hope, particularly as we celebrate the miracle of Easter.

Verses referenced: Isaiah 41:10; Genesis 50:20; Matt 22:38-40

03:44 Growing Up Jewish

05:23 Bus Bullying Scars

09:09 Sniper Fear Begins

13:17 Hallway Prayer Moment

19:36 Telling Husband Jeff

24:20 Words in Red and Shema

26:03 Forgiveness Breakthrough

26:39 Telling Her Parents

37:54 “It would be enough”

Connect with Cara: CaraShine.com

Cara's Book: The Hallway Miracle

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

Free 31 Day Devotional: Held in the Wilderness

Redemptive Wrestling Bible story series:

• 1) How do I heal when I’m angry at God?
• 2) How do I cultivate hope during seasons of disappointment?
• 3) How do I follow God when it’s hard?
• 4) How do I walk through suffering without giving up on God?
• 5) How do I pray through a crisis? (pt1)
• 6) How do I pray through a crisis? (pt2)
• 7) How do I trust God when He hurts my feelings?
• 8) How do I trust God when I’m depleted or overwhelmed?

Hope for the Weary Series:

• https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-11-hope-for-the-weary-from-a-tsunami-part-3/
• https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-38-hope-for-the-weary-from-the-wilderness-part-4/
• https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-07-hope-for-the-weary-from-a-mountaineering-crisis-part-2/
• https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-06-hope-for-the-weary-from-a-boat-accident-part-1/

Jodi Allen shares her story of a marriage impacted by her husband’s long-term pornography struggle, culminating in a two-year attempt at healing and eventual divorce. Learning that “shame is a choice” empowered her to step out of hiding and trust her faith community with their story. Jody highlights God’s miraculous provisions for their family and the emphasizes God’s presence, kindness, and gentle healing in suffering.

Verses: Proverbs 3:5,6; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 4:12; Jeremiah 29:11; Exodus 12:36; Matthew 19:26

Connect with Jody: JodyAllenWrites.com

Book: Hidden Heartache: Finding Courage When Your Husband Struggles with Pornography

Kelly's Free Devo: Held in the Wilderness

00:00 Rock Bottom God Near

00:20 Podcast Welcome and Hope

02:14 Meet Jodi Allen

03:14 Why We Hide in Shame

03:57 Her Marriage Story Unravels

05:47 Woman at the Well Healing

08:11 Choosing Freedom from Shame

09:11 God Fights for Us

11:04 Counseling and Praying Scripture

12:48 Anchor Verses for Courage

13:49 Anxiety Sleep and Practical Tools

17:51 Caring for Kids in Crisis

20:30 Co Parenting and Impossible Hope

21:59 Purpose and Hope After Loss

24:50 Miraculous Financial Provision

27:16 What She Learned About God

29:34 Freebies

Cheryl Scanlan shares powerful and practical examples of how we can live a life of rest and how we can access all of Christ's spiritual blessings in our everyday. We'll discover how to intentionally open our hearts and receive God's peace, comfort, and guiding voice rather than rush past these divine invitations. Cheryl describes peace as "resident" but not always "president" and helps us explore how our journey to rest includes practices of "go slow to go fast." Cheryl is the founder of Promised Land Living, author of The Way of Rest, and sought-after Executive Coach.

Verses: John 10:27, John 10:10; Isaiah 30:21; Exodus 33:18-23

00:00 Serve A Living God

01:48 The Way Of Rest

04:45 Peace You Can Feel

05:49 Lost Glasses Lesson

07:33 Peace Resident President

11:35 Go Slow Go Fast

14:01 Grief And Comfort

19:25 Slow Strength Analogy

22:09 Morning Intervention

22:47 Hearing Gods Voice

23:50 Forming the Right Question

26:03 Pause to Access Peace

28:01 Access God’s Guidance

31:13 Disappointment and Expectations

34:26 Rock and Hard Place Practice

36:19 Unhurried Grief Healing

38:47 The Shift Story

Learn more about Cheryl and courses: PromisedLandLiving.com

Cheryl's coaching: CherylScanlan.com

Connect: KellyHall.org

Receive free Held in the Wilderness devo

Previous Episode: https://kellyhall.org/podcast/receiving-rescues-us-from-being-stuck-cheryl-scanlon/

Amber Smith—wife of former country music artist Granger Smith and author of The Girl on the Bathroom Floor—shares the heartbreaking and hope-filled story of losing their three-year-old son, River, to a drowning in 2019. She highlights the tender and powerful ways the Lord ministered to their family, grew their faith, and restored hope. She helps us enlarge our view of God and uncover the power of faith in the darkest of times. 

Verses: Romans 12:12; Proverbs 3:5-6

00:00 Choosing Each Other

03:48 Remembering River

04:54 The Night Everything Changed

07:53 Helping Kids Grieve

09:51 Finding Joy Again

15:01 Fighting for Marriage

17:45 Truths That Anchored Her

20:03 Enough Seek Me

22:27 Comparison and Gratitude

24:55 Hope for the Bathroom Floor

27:39 Scriptures to Hold Onto

Connect with Amber: ArisewithAmber.com Instagram: @AmberEmilySmith

Book: The Girl on the Bathroom Floor

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

Free Held in the Wilderness devo

Rosann Coulon, in an unguarded moment, admitted she was struggling to trust God with the devastation of her pastor dad's addiction to medication. This loss was piled on top of debilitating chronic illness, the loss of her career, and the realization she could not have children. Rosann shares the tender ways the Lord met her with the power of His healing love. She discovered that although life had deeply disappointed her, Jesus never disappoints.

Verses referenced: Psalm 84:6; Numbers 23:19; Lam 3:22-23; Isaiah 43:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

01:53 Leaving A Well: Psalm 84:6

03:25 Rosann’s Faith Journey/ Struggle

07:04 Do You Trust God?

09:35 Lord, Give Me Fresh Eyes to See You

12:00 Tell the Truth. Name the Grief.

13:13 First Lesson of God’s Healing Love

21:00 The Power of Praise in Dark Times

23:00 Trusting God's Faithfulness in the Storm

27:28 Losses of Dreams

29:00 How to Pray in our Grief

31:00 Read the First Chapter Free

Roseann's Website: LeavingAWell.com

Rosann's Book: 40 Days to God, My Father: Finding Shelter in the Heart of God

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

Email: [email protected]

Receive your free devo: "Held in the Wilderness: 30 Stories to Secure Your Worth in God's Love"

Angela Donadio, an anointed ministry leader, author, and podcaster, shares profound lessons of dependency and surrender that help us cultivate fierce faith when life doesn’t make sense. Out of her near-death experience, she shares two questions that reframe our suffering as well as deep insights from the faith-in-action stories of Rahab and the bleeding woman. We discover the power of God to transform our lives and our stories as we remember that God’s unwavering love is with us in our suffering. She also enriches our understanding of the Bible with fresh insights from her recent time in Greece. We’re drawing from her book Fearless: Ordinary Women of the Bible Who Dared to Do Extraordinary Things.

Verses: Romans 12:1-2; John 16:33; Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25; Mark 5:25-34

00:00 Living in Dependency on God

04:02 Angela's Insights from Greece: “Follow Me”

09:32 Angela's Near-Death Experience

19:40 Which Biblical Women Encourage Faith?

27:12 Rahab’s Story of Redemption

29:20 Faith in Action: Rahab's Courage

32:08 The Scarlet Thread: Symbol of Salvation

34:47 The Bleeding Woman: Packed with Hope

42:24 Living in God's Love When We Suffer

48:25 Obedience as Worship: A Life of Faith

Connect with Angela: AngelaDonadio.com

Angela's book: Fearless: Ordinary Women of the Bible Who Dared to Do Extraordinary Things.

Receive Free 31 Day Devo: KellyHall.org/resources

Dr. Michelle Bengtson, a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and bestselling author, discusses how to navigate pain, suffering, and emotional scars through faith and resilience. She shares her personal journey of overcoming physical and emotional challenges, including childhood illness, miscarriage, depression, and cancer. Michelle highlights how God can redeem our pain for a greater purpose, encouraging listeners with real-life examples and practical advice on dealing with shame and embracing God's love. We’re drawing from her wonderful book, Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise that Your Past is Not Wasted.

Verses Referenced: 2 Corinthians 12:9; Romans 12:2; James 1:2-4; Psalm 34:18 

01:25 Free Devo: 31 Stories of Hope

05:21 Michelle's Early Life Struggles

08:01 Finding Purpose in Suffering

11:21 Developing Resilience Through Faith

14:28 The Redemptive Power of Scars

18:52 God's Transformative Power in Our Lives

26:10 How Does Shame Impact Our Lives?

28:39 How Do We Rewire Our Brains with God's Truth?

37:18 Can We Find Strength in Our Scars?

38:42 Embracing God’s Redemption

44:55 Practical Steps to Remember God's Faithfulness

Michelle's Website: DrMichelleBengtson.com

Sacred Scars: Resting in God's Promise that Your Past is Not Wasted

Free Devotional: KellyHall.org/resources