Unshakable Hope Podcast

Carol McCracken recounts her extraordinary journey through a myriad of challenging circumstances. From happily married to divorced single mom to happily remarried to the same man a decade later. Her journey includes parenting a son with multiple special needs, alcohol addiction, and healing in a grace-filled community of believers. God continues to anchor Carol through His promise to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

Verses: Ephesians 3:20; John 16:33

Connect: CarolMcCracken.com

Faith Over Fear Podcast

Your Daily Bible Verse Podcast

Connect: KellyHall.org

00:00 A Cry for Help

02:43 Introducing Carol McCracken

04:08 A Journey Through Marriage and Motherhood

06:32 Challenges with Connor

09:35 Seeking Professional Help

13:26 Struggles and Coping Mechanisms

15:55 A Humbling Experience

18:27 Embraced by the Church Community

19:22 Overcoming Personal Struggles

20:02 Guidance Through Scripture

23:40 Messages of Hope and Resilience

26:34 Rekindling a Relationship

Do you ever feel like you’re fighting for a seat at the table—striving for approval or battling comparison? Dr. Heather Holleman shares how one verb from Scripture transformed her perspective and set her free from jealousy, insecurity, and shame. Drawing from her book Seated with Christ: Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison, Heather shows us the freedom of knowing we already belong. Through her own stories of struggle and hope, she paints a picture of true acceptance and purpose. If you’ve ever wrestled with comparison or questioned your worth, this episode will remind you of a beautiful truth: you already have a seat at the table with Jesus.

Ephesians 1:20; Psalm 34:5; Philippians 4:19; 1 Timothy 6:17

Website: www.HeatherHolleman.com

Book: Seated with Christ: Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison

Connect with Kelly: https://www.KellyHall.org

03:33 Heather's Journey of Jealousy and Comparison

04:16 The Transformative Power of Ephesians 2:6

08:26 The Round Table Analogy

14:05 The Planetarium Lesson

20:34 Personal Insecurities and Compliments

22:56 Struggles and Realizations in Ministry

23:47 Finding Joy Beyond Wealth

25:24 Social Connections and Happiness

26:16 Dealing with Comparisons and Grief

29:30 4 Most Important Questions

31:03 Overcoming Fear and Trusting God

How do we learn to celebrate joy when pain has convinced us it's too risky? Nicole Zasowski encourages us: “Don’t miss out on your beautiful, God-given life because you’re busy preparing for the worst.” Drawing from her experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist and her own personal struggles to hold onto joy, she delves into practical ways to to live in the vulnerability of joy and experience the abundance Jesus promises. We draw from her new Lifeway Bible study, Daring Joy, as we explore the inspiring lessons and cautionary tales from several women in the Bible. 

Verses: Genesis 18:1-15; Lamentations 3:21-23; Luke 1:5-45; Numbers 12:1-3

00:55 Struggling to Hold on to Joy

01:59 Introducing Nicole Zasowski and Her Journey

02:43 The Vulnerability of Joy

04:42 Embracing Joy Despite Fear

11:26 The Practice of Joy with Elizabeth

25:41 Learning from a Choir Director

26:47 Practicing Joy in Difficult Times

29:51 The Power of Naming Your Pain

37:45 The Danger of Comparison

45:15 Trusting God's Heart in Hard Times

48:27 Replacing Comparison with Acceleration

Connect with Nicole: NicoleZasowski.com

Her book: Daring Joy: What Six Women in the Bible Teach Us About the Power of Celebration When it Feels Risky, Complicated, or Even Impossible

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

In this touching episode, Janell Neumann, shares her family’s extraordinary journey through intense loss, miraculous moments, and hard faith questions. She unfolds her tumultuous experiences of near-death encounters, multiple miscarriages, and spiritual lessons learned through times of desperate prayers. In a story only God could orchestrate, their family was completed with the adoption of a beautiful baby girl. Janell's story highlights God's nearness, faithfulness, the power of prayer, and the truth that God is writing a more beautiful story than we could ever imagine. 

01:23 Finding Joy in Parenting Chaos through Worship

03:15 Janelle's Family Story: Miracles and Faith

06:42 Early Marriage Challenges and God's Provision

09:21 Struggles with Pregnancy and Loss

19:54 A Miraculous Pregnancy and Renewed Hope

26:54 Unexpected Blessings: Welcoming Makia

28:07 A Tumultuous Journey: The Eighth Pregnancy

29:30 A Heart-Wrenching Decision

32:35 Finding Peace and Redemption

37:46 A Miraculous Adoption: Welcoming Mia

46:50 Reflections on Faith and God's Plan 

Verses referenced: Hebrews 13:5; Romans 8:28; Psalm 56:8

Related episodes:

• https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-59-god-i-didnt-sign-up-for-this-sarah-frazer/ 
• https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-54-how-do-i-trust-god-when-he-hurts-my-feelings-stacie-snell/
• https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-51-how-do-i-walk-through-suffering-without-giving-up-on-god/

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

Donna Jones shares her personal journey of navigating through a devastating conflict that not only shook her world but also led her to profound insights about handling conflict in healthy, holy, and God-honoring ways. We discover the number one character trait required to resolve conflict and Donna emphasizes the importance of communicating respect and managing expectations in relationships. Tune in for an enriching conversation that aims to renew hope and infuse peace in your relationships.

Verses mentioned: John 17; Ephesians 4:29

Website: DonnaJones.org

Socials: @DonnaAJones; Donna Jones on facebook

Book: Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide for Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

02:38 Donna's Personal Conflict Story

11:31 The Importance of Humility in Conflict Resolution

21:53 Managing Expectations in Relationships

23:15 The Emotional Nature of Conflict

23:45 Expectation Without Communication

24:12 Preventing Conflict Through Communication

25:06 A Story of Reintegration

26:35 The Importance of Timing in Discussions

27:21 Avoidance vs. Wisdom in Conflict

28:30 The Dangers of Being Dismissive

29:44 Effective Apologies and Reconciliation

31:13 Assuming the Best in Others

33:56 Speaking the Truth in Love

38:02 Hope and Restoration in Conflict

42:03 Understanding and Managing Triggers

Virginia Grounds shares how the Lord spoke and guided her through the loss of her husband then faithfully led her to write, launch a ministry, and wait for His perfect timing to move back to her home in Texas. Virginia highlights the power of God's voice and presence through our grief and the importance of embracing new growth seasons beyond widowhood.

She is the author of Wings: Hope for Widows in New Growth Seasons.

Verses mentioned: Psalm 29:4; John 10:3,27; Isaiah 30:21; Isaiah 43:18; Malachi 4:2

00:36 Hearing God's Voice in Times of Transition

03:28 Virginia's Ministry Journey

06:46 Miracles During Crisis Ministry

10:07 Virginia's Husband's Final Days

16:10 God's Guidance Through Grief

21:48 Moving Forward with New Purpose

Virginia's Website: https://www.hope4widows.com

Check out book: Wings: Hope for Widows in New Growth Seasons

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

Dawn Ward's story has been shaped by addictions of loved ones, beginning in her childhood and later affecting two of her children as well as her husband. God not only miraculously healed her husband but also rescued her from overwhelming guilt and shame and an obsessive tendency to “fix” the people in her family. I’m so inspired by her deep trust in God through some very hard surrenders and the beautiful discovery that God is faithful—even in the most broken places. She’s the author of From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children.

03:48 Dawn Ward’s Childhood and Early Exposure to Addiction

09:34 Struggle with Son’s Addiction

16:36 Second Son’s Battle with Addiction

20:54 Dawn’s Journey of Faith and Healing

39:20 Husband’s Battle with Substance Use and Miraculous Healing

Verses referenced: Matthew 10:29-31; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 Peter 5:14-15; James 1:5; Galatians 2:20; 2 Chronicles 20:12; Genesis 22

Dawn's website: TheFaithtoFlourish.com

Dawn's book: From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children

Kelly's Website: KellyHall.org

Karen Wingate, born legally blind, shares her inspirational story of faith and courage. As a young girl, her prayers for miraculous healing became humble prayers of surrender, asking the Lord to help her trust Him with her limited vision. Quite unexpectedly, another prayer and surgery in her fifties resulted in better than ever vision! Karen unfolds the powerful ways the Lord provided and prepared her for ministry. Drawing from her book, With Fresh Eyes, we discover the wonder of His miraculous presence in the ordinary beauty of daily life. 

Verses: Isaiah 46:9-11; Isaiah 42:16

Connect with Karen: KarenWingate.com

With Fresh Eyes: 60 Insights into the Miraculous Ordinary From a Woman Born Blind

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

Hope for the Weary Prayers (free offer KellyHall.org)

When we are crushed and brokenhearted, how do we find hope? Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus illuminate the deep biblical truths the Lord has built into their own lives through suffering. We'll discover how to cling to God when our dreams are shattered and how to persevere when we feel like giving up. Drawing from their book, Hope for My Hurting Heart, we'll gain practical help and inspiration for our own faith journeys.

Verses Mentioned: Isaiah 55:8-9; James 1:2-4; 1 Samuel 30:1-6

Hope For My Hurting Heart: Eight Heart Skills to Help You Cling to God and Not Give Up

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org

Related episodes: https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-51-how-do-i-walk-through-suffering-without-giving-up-on-god/

https://kellyhall.org/podcast/ep-80-finding-gods-presence-in-the-pain-of-injustice-luann-mire-and-patti-richter/

Cheryl Scanlan, Executive Coach and Founder of Promised Land Living, skillfully explains how a life of humility and receiving rescues our hearts from being stuck in the exhaustion of comparison, pretending, and performing. With vulnerability and wisdom, Cheryl opens up tender places of suffering in her own life and illustrates, with practical examples, how humility leads to the freedom and abundance Christ promises. Other questions we address: How do we faithfully support a friend walking through an unresolved story? How do we move beyond transparency into vulnerability?

Verses mentioned: Galatians 3:1; Romans 8:1;1 Peter 5:6; Isaiah 30:15, 40:31, 41:10, 55:8-9; 2 Corinthians 1:4; John 2:24-25; Matthew 12:20

Learn more about Cheryl and courses: PromisedLandLiving.com

Cheryl's coaching: CherylScanlan.com

KellyHall.org

Related episodes: https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-60-how-do-we-embrace-the-abundant-life-dr-tammy-smith/

https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-51-how-do-i-walk-through-suffering-without-giving-up-on-god/

02:54 Cheryl's Journey to Faith

04:34 Understanding Shalom

09:37 The Comparison Trap vs. Power of Humility

22:21 Struggles of Living a Hard Story

26:21 The Power of Isaiah's Words

29:07 Transparency vs. Vulnerability

37:54 Hard Surrenders with Children

42:30 Embracing Abundance in Christ