As we draw closer to Christmas, host Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by two women raising children who aren't biologically their own to discuss the blessings and challenges that brings. What is it really like to be part of a blended family - especially at Christmas? What does it look like to parent children you didn't give birth to, and do you love them any differently?

Amy Ellison is a proud stepmother to two boys. Her new book Help! I'm a Step Parent will be available in the new year from Day One publications.

Rhiannon Goulding is juggling two biological children, two stepchildren and two adopted children. Her new parenting column for Premier Woman Alive magazine starts in 2025.

Our Great Sexpectations dilemma this episode is: 'I feel like Bridget Jones at Christmas'

womanalive.co.uk/opinion/great-sexpectations-i-feel-like-bridget-jones-at-christmas/18588.article

The producer of the Woman Alive podcast is Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

The Woman Alive podcast is back with a fifth series. In the first episode host Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by three women who are considering whether we should all be giving - and generally doing - less this Christmas. Are Christmas cards worth the effort? How important is gift giving and is a focus on this incredibly busy season just stressing us all out?

Amari Yogendran is a photographer and writer. You can find her work at mariphotographer.uk.

Becca Ehrlich is also known as the Christian Minimalist and hosts a blog exploring our relationship with 'stuff'. Christianminimalism.com

Rachel Allcock is school teacher and librarian and also works for Activate Your Life, an annual conference dedicated to helping Christian women share God's love. Find Rachel on Instagram @weetabixglue.words

Our Great Sexpectations dilemma this episode is: 'I've fallen out of love with my husband when is it ok to get a divorce?'

womanalive.co.uk/opinion/great-sexpectations-i-have-fallen-out-of-love-with-my-husband-when-is-it-ok-to-get-a-divorce/18115.article

The producer of the Woman Alive podcast is Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

In this episode host Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by two guests to talk about the practical ways we can have hope in God during difficult seasons.

Danielle Strickland is an author, spiritual leader, and justice advocate. She has authored several books including 'The Other Side of Hope'. daniellestrickland.com

Rachel Otterson is a Northern creative artist and teacher who explores life's meaning through creative and political practices. Her spoken word piece about the UK riots in August 2024 went viral and reached thousands. Find her work on Instagram @rachelotterson Our Great Sexpectations dilemma this week is: I want to marry a Christian man, but there are not many!

The producers of the Woman Alive podcast are Chantelle Johnson and Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

In this episode host Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by Woman Alive writers, to discuss stories of having hope in God during difficult seasons.

Ruth Clemence is a freelance writer living in Cardiff, Wales. She writes about faith, suffering, additional needs and motherhood. Find her work at ruthclemence.com

Steph Porter is a community youth worker for a charity called Urban Devotion Birmingham, as well as a songwriter, artist and worship leader. Find her work at linktr.ee/sroseporter

Our Great Sexpectations dilemma this week is: How many dates does it take to know if there’s real potential?

The producers of the Woman Alive podcast are Chantelle Johnson and Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

In this episode host Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by two women who are therapists, to discuss the intersection of science with the word of God.

Jo Hargreaves is a pastor and psychotherapist. Jo is passionate about integrating theology and therapy; scripture and neuroscience and placing God right in the center of our conversations on mental health and wholeness. Find her work at johargreavestherapy.com

Monique Thomas is a singer, songwriter, recently trained therapist and author of the book ‘Pressure Off’, an incredible reminder to take the pressure off so that we can better understand and embrace the gift of God’s grace. spckpublishing.co.uk/pressure-off

Our Great Sexpectations dilemma this week is: 'My best friend is marrying my ex-boyfriend, how is that fair?’

The producers of the Woman Alive podcast are Chantelle Johnson and Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

In this episode we're talking about sexism. Host Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by two women who have become leaders in their respective fields, to discuss what gender inequality looks like both in the Church and in the workplace, and how it affects women specifically.

Lizzie Hutchison is an advertising copywriter with a passion for Jesus and advocate for women in the workplace. Find her work at thinkoutsidethehutch.com/

Judith Davey-Cole is the CEO of Girls' Brigade Ministries and her work focuses on empowering young women and girls to live life to the full, blending her professional expertise with her Christian faith. Find out more at girlsbrigadeministries.org.uk/

Our Great Sexpectations dilemma this week is: 'I am scared of childbirth, but want children - what can I do?’

The producers of the Woman Alive podcast are Chantelle Johnson and Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

In this episode we're asking whether you can be both rich and a Christian? Host Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by three self-made women who are serious about wealth, but give glory to God first.

Camilita Nuttall is a property developer and businesswoman. She guides entrepreneurs on how to grow their brands and is the founder of Exalted London, an event for Christians to learn more about business, money, profit, and finance. Find her at camilita.com

Rev Wendy Pawsey is Head of Giving at the Evangelical Alliance and author of Generous with a Capital G which is out in September.

Mary Okoroafor co-founded The Humble Penny with her husband Ken. Together they offer advice on how to become financially independent and have written a book called Financial Joy. Find them at thehumblepenny.com

Our Great Sexpectations dilemma this week is: 'Where does this association between sexuality and shame come from?'

The producers of the Woman Alive podcast are Chantelle Johnson and Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

In the latest episode of the Woman Alive podcast, Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by two women who didn't wait for husbands to start a family. Both are single and fostering children long-term.

Kobie Abrie is a foster mother to two children, a 14-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl. You can follow her on Instagram @a_fostermama_journey.

Edme Brink has been fostering her 7-year-old boy for two years. She is also on Instagram and LinkedIn under EdmeBrink.

Our Great Sexpectations dilemma this episode is: 'I've just moved in with my Christian partner, are we living in sin?'

The producers of the Woman Alive podcast are Chantelle Johnson and Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Subscribe today and you'll get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: https://account.womanalive.co.uk/subscribe?sourcecode=pod23

In this episode of the Woman Alive podcast Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by two coaches to discuss imposter syndrome; the familiar feeling of self-doubt and insecurity that can rise up regardless of our skills and achievements.

Peggy Bodde is an empowerment coach and the founder of Sacred Work, an organisation that gives free leadership support to Christian women at work. You can find her at peggybodde.com

Arit Eminue is a career coach and consultant with an MBE for her work in the creative industries. You can find her on Instagram and LinkedIn and at her website ariteminue.com

Our Great Sexpectations dilemma this episode is: 'My Christian boyfriend was a narcissist'

The producers of the Woman Alive podcast are Chantelle Johnson and Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Subscribe to Premier Woman Alive today and you'll get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: https://account.womanalive.co.uk/subscribe?sourcecode=pod23

Woman Alive is into its third episode and we're talking about whether you can be 'called' to be childfree. Host Tola-Doll Fisher is joined by two women who both feel there is a lack of women in The Church that don't have children but are happy that way.

Alex Noel is a writer whose work can be found at https://flexanoel.co.uk/

And Denise Lee Yohn is a business consultant and a brand leadership expert. You can find more about her at https://deniseleeyohn.com/

Our Great Sexpectations question this episode is: I'm getting married but have no idea about contraception.

The producers of the Woman Alive podcast are Chantelle Johnson and Rachel Huston.

Special offer! Subscribe to Premier Woman Alive today and you'll get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: https://account.womanalive.co.uk/subscribe?sourcecode=pod23