Date: August 29, 2025

Story Highlights:

Debra’s story begins with a life-changing moment as a teenager: while babysitting during a tornado, nearly every house around her was destroyed, yet she and the children survived unharmed. She says she “grew up that day,” and it became the first of many defining moments that shaped her strength and perseverance.

Her journey hasn’t been without pain. After enduring two failed marriages, one impacted by her husband’s alcoholism and the other shadowed by her daughter’s abuse, Debra chose not to let brokenness define her. Instead, she found healing and strength in her faith and determination to move forward.

From being bullied in school to navigating some of life’s hardest battles, Debra leaned into the encouragement of a teacher who once told her she could accomplish anything she put her hand to. That truth, coupled with her disciplined mindset developed through her service in the Marine Corps, helped her develop her personal motto: Just keep going.

In this heartfelt conversation, Debra shares how her faith in Christ, her commitment to perseverance, and her ability to find joy even in hardship have shaped her into a woman of endurance and hope. Listeners will be inspired to press on, no matter the challenges they face.

About Our Guest:

Debra is also a Marine Corps veteran, a mother of three adult children (each born in a different decade and state), and a grandmother of two. Her years living abroad in Europe, her military service, and her life experiences have all shaped her into the writer and editor she is today. A graduate of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Apprentice program and CLASSeminar, Debra continues to combine her passion for storytelling with her heart for helping others grow as writers.

Book Spotlight:

A secret beyond her wildest imagination. Will this fierce loner finally find love and acceptance?

Sally Clark, a fifty-eight-year-old Marine Corps veteran stuck in a publishing job she dreads, is praying for a fresh start. When she unexpectedly inherits a substantial sum of money, but with serious conditions attached, her life takes an unpredictable turn.

Traveling to a luxurious Montana ranch, Sally must work alongside the late multi-millionaire’s children and grandchildren for a month. But when suspicious accidents nearly cost her life, she realizes someone may want her gone. Despite her strong Christian faith and willingness to serve others, Sally wrestles with staying where she isn’t wanted.

Can she dig deep, lean on her faith, and find the courage to stay the course?

Claiming Her Inheritance is the fast-moving first book in the Her Inheritance Christian fiction series. Readers who love strong female characters, touches of humor, suspenseful twists, and faith-filled themes will be drawn into this unforgettable story.

Connect with Debra Butterfield:

Date: August 21, 2025

Episode Highlights:

Heather opens her heart about the realities of marriage, motherhood, special needs parenting, foster care, and adoption, weaving her story with the thread of God’s faithfulness through every season. With honesty and joy, she shares how obedience to God opens doors to opportunity, even when the path is hard and messy.

From her testimony of salvation to her ongoing journey as a mother of biological, adopted, foster, and special needs children, Heather’s story radiates God’s grace in action. Listeners will hear how the Lord transformed her bitterness into joy, equipped her to stand in her covenant marriage, and gave her the courage to parent through trials that would break many.

Highlights from this episode include:

The meaning behind the phrase obedience equals opportunity and how it has shaped Heather’s walk with God

The transformative moment of prayer that changed her life from bitterness to joy

How to view marriage as a covenant and mission field, even in seasons of struggle

The reality of raising a severely autistic son while still living with joy and purpose

The importance of godly female friendships, discipleship, and spiritual soldiers who pray with you in the night

Why fellowship in the home is vital for families and how it even transforms her son Isaiah’s worship

Parenting through hardship, including special needs advocacy, sibling struggles, and standing firm in prayer when life feels overwhelming

This heartfelt conversation will stir your faith, challenge your perspective on obedience and marriage, and remind you that God equips us to walk through the messiness of life with His joy, His grace, and His presence.

About Our Guest:

Professionally, Heather has served as a family peer advocate for mental health and prevention services in Albany, New York, and as part of the women’s emergency shelter staff at Capital City Rescue Mission. She previously worked as a registered respiratory therapist in multiple hospitals across upstate New York.

Heather and her husband currently live with their large, beautiful family in upstate New York in a home they see as a miracle from God. Her life is a testament to the power of faith, prayer, and choosing joy in the middle of challenges. 

Faith Spotlight:

Heather’s story is living proof that God meets us in the middle of life’s hardest places. From parenting children with special needs to navigating foster care and adoption, she reminds us that obedience to God brings new opportunities and that His grace equips us for the challenges we never thought we could face. Through Scriptures like Psalm 84:11 and Romans 15:13, Heather clings to God’s promises, choosing joy even when life feels overwhelming. Her encouragement is clear: pray over your children, honor your marriage covenant, and lean into fellowship that strengthens your walk with Christ.

Connect with Heather:

Closing Thought:

Date: August 15, 2025

Story Highlights:

Deb and Dana share a real-life moment that unfolded in the middle of Target when a last-minute family birthday party crisis hit. One daughter was exhausted with a house full of sick children and feeling overwhelmed by the promise to host that night. Dana, already fresh off a month of non-stop hosting her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren visiting from Switzerland, plus daily visits from her other children and grandchildren, was physically and emotionally drained. On top of that, she was still recovering from skin cancer surgery. When the request came for her to host, Dana took a quiet but firm “pause” to honor her limits.

Here’s the twist, after processing, she still said yes. But this time, it wasn’t at the expense of her health or her boundaries. The family rallied together, each person pitching in with food, setup, and cleanup so no one carried the burden alone. It became a powerful example of how protecting your well-being can still leave room for generosity, joy, and connection.

Together, Deb and Dana dive deep into the freedom that comes from knowing your capacity, setting healthy limits without guilt, and refusing to be swayed by the pressure of others’ expectations. They share how releasing the need for everyone to operate in the same gifting allows for more grace, understanding, and peace within relationships. Listeners will walk away with practical, faith-filled tools to protect their well-being, love others wholeheartedly, and live from a place of balance and joy.

About Our Guest:

Takeaway Topic:

While there’s no featured book in this episode, the conversation offers a living guide on setting boundaries with grace. Through their personal story, Deb and Dana highlight lessons every listener can apply: knowing when to pause, finding peace in saying no, and creating space for shared responsibility, principles that protect health, deepen relationships, and strengthen faith.

Connect with Dana:

Date: August 8, 2025

Story Highlights:

Born completely blind due to a medical error shortly after birth, Ann has lived her entire life without physical sight. Yet, what she shares in this episode goes far beyond the physical. Ann invites us into her world, a world where she “sees” through texture and shows us how God has shaped her creativity, calling, and purpose.

Ann recounts her early struggles with anxiety, her transition from fiction to poetry and devotionals, and the healing journey God took her on that changed everything. Her vulnerability is matched with wisdom as she describes the way God met her in her pain and gave her the words to minister to others.

We also take a look behind the scenes of her creative process as she explains how she uses screen reading software, structures her writing days, and stays connected to Scripture and the Spirit of God through journaling and prayer. One standout moment comes when she talks about the lasting influence of Mr. Rogers and the profound way he helped shape her perspective on life and faith.

This conversation is not just about overcoming challenges. It is about stepping into the unique calling God has placed on your life, no matter what stands in the way. If you have ever doubted your voice or your purpose, Ann’s story will remind you that God equips those He calls.

About Our Guest:

Her debut devotional, Praying Through the Seasons: Seven Aspects of Prayer and Communion with God, is a heart centered guide to building a meaningful prayer life. She is also the author of The Spirit of Creativity: Inspirational Poems for the Creative at Heart and is currently working on the second book in her devotional series, Walking With God Through The Chapters.

Ann’s work appears in several anthologies including God Things: Hope for the Hurting and the upcoming 540 Writers Community anthology. She serves as a professional writer and freelance content editor with Scrivenings Press and Elk Lake Publishing Inc. Ann lives with her daughter in a tiny house in Rochelle, Georgia, and continues to write stories, devotionals, and poetry that reflect God’s grace and creative power.

Book Spotlight:

Connect with Ann:

Closing Thought:

Date: August 1, 2025

Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Maureen Miller

Episode Highlights:

Through vulnerability and wisdom, Maureen invites us into the tension of living what you write. She shares the moment God whispered fiction into her heart, the obedience it took to begin, and the waiting that refined both her message and her character. From rewriting the manuscript entirely to wrestling with themes that mirrored her own life, Maureen’s story is one of transformation, trust, and hope for all of us navigating seasons of delay.

This conversation explores:

How God nudged Maureen to begin her first novel

Why fiction felt like a stretch and a surrender

The trials and delays that served as divine preparation

What Maureen learned about God, herself, and the creative process in the waiting

The moment she felt called to start the manuscript over completely

Whether Gideon’s Book will become part of a series

The real-life inspirations behind her characters and themes

Scriptures that carried her through the writing and rewriting process

How writing something so close to the heart makes it both harder and holier

Her prayer for how Gideon’s Book will impact readers and draw them closer to Jesus

If you’re a writer, a dreamer, or someone stuck in a long season of not yet, this episode will gently remind you the Author of your life is always writing and He finishes what He begins.

About Our Guest:

A teacher by degree and writer by calling, Maureen has been crafting stories, devotions, and essays for decades. She is an award-winning author featured in over twenty collaborative works including Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures and regularly contributes to both print and online publications including her own blog, Penning Pansies.

Though she identifies as an introvert, Maureen is known as a connector, someone who brings people together for God’s greater purpose. She is passionate about encouraging others to pursue their gifts and grow in their relationship with Jesus.

She is currently finishing her first novel Gideon’s Book and is the author of the children’s title Daisy the Circus Dog. Through all of her work, Maureen hopes to show others the extraordinary character of God revealed in the ordinary moments of life.

Book Spotlight: Gideon’s Book

2016: Cassie faces a daunting health diagnosis and lingering insecurities when she is given the chance to write a memoir for her friend’s parents. As hidden truths about her past come to light, she must confront where her worth truly lies.

Spring, 1969: Ava Jackson is 19 and in love with her best friend’s brother. A Spring Break trip to Myrtle Beach sets off a chain of events that will alter her future in ways she never expected.

Summer, 1969: Gideon Stallings is a successful architect battling inner doubts. But when he opens a Bible found in his room, a new story takes root in his heart, one that just might change everything.

From Myrtle Beach to Eden, North Carolina, Gideon’s Book is a sweeping tale of faith, self-discovery, and the impact of one life surrendered to God. Inspired by true events and real people, it’s a deeply emotional read that fans of The Notebook and Stepping Heavenward won’t want to miss.

Connect with Maureen Miller:

Books by Maureen Miller:

Daisy the Circus Dog (Children’s Book)

Gideon’s Book – Published May 2025

Contributor to 20+ devotionals and collaborative works including Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures

Closing Thought:

Next Week on the Podcast:

Date: July 18, 2025

Episode Highlights:

About the Guest:

Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success (co-authored with Lisa Burris Burns)

Flowers Find a Way: Resilient Blooms in Relentless Faith

Enough for Today: 30 Mana Moments, 24 Hours at a Time (coming 2025)

Book Spotlight: Flowers Find a Way: Resilient Blooms of Relentless Faith 

This devotional invites readers to cultivate resilience and uncover divine purpose through:

Biblical wisdom woven with Amber’s raw and relatable personal stories. Using the dandelion as a powerful metaphor, she reminds us that God often uses what the world sees as weeds, flawed, stubborn, out of place, as vessels for His light and growth.

Practical prompts that encourage readers to lean into God’s voice and listen for the nudges of the Holy Spirit. These exercises provide space to pause, reflect, and process what God may be speaking into your life today.

Encouragement to embrace imperfections and stop waiting to be “put together” before being used. Amber’s voice reminds us that our cracks are not flaws to hide but openings through which God’s light pours out.

Reflection questions designed to spark conversation, journaling, or small group dialogue. These questions help deepen your spiritual walk and foster authentic community, reminding us that our stories matter, and they’re meant to be shared.

From soft strength to holy defiance, Flowers Find a Way is a gentle but bold companion for any woman learning to rise, reach for the light, and trust that her brokenness is not a barrier to God’s purpose, it’s part of the bloom. 

Connect with Amber Weigand-Buckley:

Closing Thought:

Date: July 11, 2025

Episode Highlights:

Sheila recounts in vivid detail the near death experience that left her body broken but her spirit renewed. From being pinned between her motorcycle and a car to flying through the air and hearing the words, “Don’t be afraid. We got you. You’re going to be okay,” this story is nothing short of supernatural.

Listeners will hear how Jesus showed up, literally, to comfort her at the scene, and how the Holy Spirit wrapped her in what she describes as "butterfly blue," a color she says radiated the peace of heaven itself. Through over 11 surgeries, the eventual amputation of her leg, and an emotional road of recovery, Sheila emerged not as a victim, but as a radiant, joyful warrior with a powerful purpose.

This episode is overflowing with themes of:

Faith in the fire

Purpose through pain

Radical gratitude

Living anchored in the Lord

Victory over trauma

Healing through hope and prayer

Debbie and Sheila also talk about the release of Sheila’s brand new devotional, Foot Notes, and how God continues to use her story to transform lives. This is not just a story of survival. This is a call to trust, believe, and live fully even when life breaks your heart.

"I am not my limitations. This body is just an Earth suit. God didn’t just save my life. He gave me a new one."

Whether you're in the middle of your own shadow valley or searching for proof that God still performs miracles, this episode will leave you stirred, encouraged, and standing in awe of what happens when heaven touches earth.

About the Guest:

She is the author of One Foot in the Door: Finding Hope in the Hopeless and the brand new devotional series Foot Notes, which invites readers into a deeper understanding of God’s presence in every step of the journey. Sheila speaks to churches, women’s ministries, nonprofits, and schools, pouring her heart into helping others find strength in God through even the most crushing moments of life.

She lives just south of Nashville, Tennessee, where she finds joy in time with family and friends, writing, serving her church, and cuddling her beloved dog Heidi.

Book Spotlight: Foot Notes by Sheila Preston Fitzgerald

Published this week, Foot Notes is the long-anticipated devotional that invites readers into Sheila’s sacred conversations with Jesus. Through powerful storytelling, heartfelt prayers, and daily encouragement, Sheila opens a path for readers to experience hope, peace, and purpose no matter what they’re facing. Each devotional offers:

Personal reflections born out of deep trauma and divine encounters

Encouraging truths to help reframe pain through the lens of faith

Practical applications to walk forward with renewed strength

A radiant reminder that even when your journey includes loss or suffering, it is not without meaning

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to find light in the darkest valleys.

Also by Sheila: One Foot in the Door: Finding Hope in the Hopeless — Sheila’s powerful debut memoir that first introduced readers to her extraordinary story of survival after a devastating motorcycle accident. With raw honesty and vivid detail, she takes readers through the harrowing moments that nearly took her life, the long and painful recovery that followed, and the deeply personal spiritual encounters that transformed her from the inside out. This book is a testimony to God’s faithfulness in the darkest moments, showing how even the most hopeless situations can become platforms for healing, purpose, and radiant joy. Through every page, Sheila reminds us that when God opens a door, even one that leads through pain, it can bring you straight into His presence and plan.

Connect with Sheila:

Closing Thought:

Miracles still happen. And when we stay anchored in the Lord, even the most broken places of our lives can become the stage where God’s glory shines the brightest.

Date: July 5, 2025

Episode Highlights: In this heartfelt episode of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek welcomes author and illustrator Nancy Haack to share her beautiful journey of creativity, calling, and God’s perfect timing. Nancy opens up about the childhood passion for art that eventually blossomed into something more—writing stories that echo the legacy of faith she inherited from her grandmother.

Although Nancy never set out to become a writer, God used a lifetime of unexpected twists, jobs that seemed unrelated, seasons of quiet waiting, and a deepening walk with Him to prepare her for something new. With vulnerability and wisdom, she shares how her grandmother’s unwavering faith inspired her debut novel A Day to Remember and how she’s learned to trust God’s plan even when the road didn’t make sense.

This episode invites listeners into the beauty of waiting, the significance of finding a community of support, and the power of holding fast to Scripture during life’s transitions. Nancy’s story is one of surrender, hope, and the reminder that God never wastes our waiting.

Whether you’re stepping into a new calling or struggling to find clarity in your current season, Nancy’s testimony is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to begin again and that God truly uses all things for His glory.

About the Guest: Nancy Haack has spent her life in the Northeast where she married her best friend, raised two daughters, and now embraces her role as a proud grandmother. From a young age, Nancy’s artistic talent was nurtured in a home that celebrated children and creativity. Her passion for illustration took root in college where she discovered how artwork can reflect God’s heart.

Over the years, Nancy has worn many hats, from window washer to writing tutor, but each role served a purpose. Through conferences, Scripture study, and faithful obedience, her creative path unfolded. Now, as both a children’s illustrator and romance author, Nancy continues to follow God’s lead with an open heart and willing hands.

Book Spotlight: A Day to Remember

While trying to navigate this high-society life, Julia must choose between DJ McGrath, the grounded, sarcastic farmhand she can’t forget, and Jonathan Ashcroft, a wealthy suitor with a hidden past. Set in the 1920s, A Day to Remember follows Julia through loss, longing, and redemption as she discovers her identity, fights for hope, and learns to forgive.

This novel is ideal for readers who love faith-filled romances, historical settings, and strong, relatable women. With heartache, redemption, and God’s grace woven throughout, Nancy’s debut is a story that will leave you deeply moved and hopeful.

Connect with Nancy:

Closing Thought: Sometimes the calling you never imagined turns out to be the one God had planned all along. What part of your story is He preparing you to tell?

Date: June 28, 2025

Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Katelyn Adams

Story Highlight:

Following our recent conversation with my granddaughter, Shayna Morehouse—a dedicated homeschooling mama—I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue our focus on homeschooling during these summer months, a prime season for planning and inspiration. As a homeschooling veteran myself, I’m especially excited to introduce Katie and the incredible work she’s doing to serve homeschooling families through a Christ-centered classical model.

Katelyn shares the heart and vision behind Creo Classical Academy, a nonprofit hybrid program she helped establish in New York’s Capital District. Born out of a desire to support homeschool families with structured, high-quality academic support—especially for upper grades—Creo has become a vital resource for students and parents navigating the challenges of classical education.

Katie walks us through the academy’s founding, sharing how her passion for classical learning began and what sets this model apart. She defines classical education and explains how students can transition from a standard curriculum into this rich, time-tested approach that fosters creativity, wisdom, and a love for truth, beauty, and goodness.

We also explore the hybrid model Creo offers—a two-day drop-off structure that blends the strengths of home education with the benefits of a classroom setting. Katie explains how this unique rhythm supports both students and parents, making upper-level learning accessible and effective while meeting all New York State academic requirements. From lab-based sciences and Latin to Socratic discussions and college credit opportunities, Creo is equipping students not only with academic excellence but also with spiritual grounding, leadership skills, and strong character formation.

Katie introduces us to Creo’s mission and vision—rooted in pointing students toward their Creator and helping them fulfill their God-given purpose. She shares how the program’s qualified, mission-driven faculty walk alongside families to provide support, mentorship, and structure. Whether it’s preparing students for college and careers or helping them grow in wisdom and virtue, Creo is truly building a community where students can thrive intellectually and spiritually.

We also get a peek into Katie’s own homeschooling life—what her home days look like and how Creo partners with parents to ensure continuity between classroom and at-home learning. She addresses common questions about curriculum, parent preparation, and how families can get started with the program. Katie highlights the relational and personalized approach Creo takes, beginning with an online application, a thoughtful family interview, and continued support throughout the school year.

This conversation is packed with practical insight, heartfelt encouragement, and a beautiful testimony of what can happen when education is centered on Christ and built in community. If you’re a homeschooling mom, grandma, educator, or simply curious about classical education, you won’t want to miss this episode. Be sure to share it with other homeschoolers you know and reach out to Katie directly for more information—her contact details and social media links are in the show notes below.

About Our Guest:

She co-founded Creo Classical Academy alongside a dedicated team, establishing it as a nonprofit hybrid program that serves homeschooling families throughout the Capital District.

After successfully completing the academy’s launch year, she is now eagerly preparing for Creo’s second year of growth and impact.

Her leadership is grounded in a passion for classical education, a commitment to Christ-centered growth, and a deep desire to cultivate an environment where both families and students can flourish.

A dedicated homeschooling parent and educator for more than ten years, Katelyn has directed and taught entire grade levels (7th–9th) in a local homeschool group—managing admissions, student and parent relations, curriculum planning, and instruction across all subjects.

Her work has included writing community policies, overseeing classroom structure, managing conflict, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all students in her care.

With a heart for service, Katelyn spent over a decade leading youth ministry alongside her husband and also served her community as a registered nurse for 14 years. During that time, she taught childbirth classes, attended births, and worked for three years as a SANE RN at St. Peter’s Health Partners.

Katelyn has been joyfully married for 19 years and is the mother of five children. She and her family live on a farm, where she enjoys watching things grow—both in the soil and in the hearts and minds of students.

Connect with Katelyn:

Creo Classical Academy

Date: June 13, 2025

Episode Highlights:

Shayna shares why she titled this episode Finding Joy in Spinning Plates, and how the Lord is teaching her that joy is not found after the chaos settles—it’s a calling to be lived out in the chaos. She speaks candidly about the pressures of motherhood, homeschooling, and running a small business, and how the Holy Spirit meets her in the mess with daily grace and peace.

Together, Debbie and Shayna explore:

Why joy is a calling, not a circumstance

What to do when your “plates” crash

How to find joy in the mundane

The importance of recognizing God's presence in every task—from lesson plans to laundry

Shayna’s sweet “Happy New Day” tradition with her boys

Practical encouragement for homeschooling moms who feel overwhelmed or stuck in comparison

The sacredness of ordinary moments and small faithfulness

If you're a busy woman, a homeschool mom, or someone trying to hold it all together, this episode will gently remind you: you’re not alone, and joy is yours for the taking—right now.

About the Guest:

The Vintage Life: Curated with Joy at Vessel

Connect with Shayna:

Shayna Morehouse is the owner of Vessel Vintage, a curated vintage shop that can be found on Instagram @vessel_vintage and part of the global marketplace Vintage Keepers.

She sells locally at Pickers Nation in Ravena, New York, and also runs an eBay store for ReFurnishings, with all proceeds going to Justice for Orphans. 

Shayna is passionate about giving old things new life and connecting with others through the stories vintage pieces tell.

You can find all her links and social media below. 

Instagram is @vessel_vintage and 

Instagram personal @shayna.morehouse 

Email: [email protected] 

Shayna is apart of Vintage Keepers Marketplace, her shop page is, https://www.vintage-keepers.com/shops/vessel/ 

Closing Thought: