Worth Your Time

Here's a special, pop-up episode of the Worth Your Time podcast! spoke with Herbie Newell, President of Lifeline Children's Services about the Dobbs decision and what things may look like after it drops.

In this conversation we discuss myths about the pro-life movement and pregnancy centers, public policy options and how churches are an essential part of caring for women.

What I think you'll find is that regardless of what happens, pro-lifers want to make abortion "unthinkable." We want every woman to have the network of support she needs and never feel like she needs to end the life of her child to survive.

Both Herbie and I (along with millions of others) are workign to make that a reality each day.

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Kelly Speck never dreamed her newborn son would be anything but perfect, but just after birth he was taken to the NICU and thus began "a nightmare journey.” She was told her son wouldn't live long, but he overcame the odds.

That doesn't mean everything has been smooth, however. Bennett has quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. Despite the struggles this has brought to the family, Kelly has a message for everyone: there is hope in the heartache. In her new memoir, Hope in the Heartache, she details the memoir of her life as Bennett's mom and what it's been like to fight along side him.

In this interview, we talk about the full experience of this motherhood journey, including how Kelly has consistently clung to God through it all. Kelly wants everyone to know that no matter what you're going through, there is hope in Jesus.

Recent episodes:

Nancy Pearcey: Christianity and the Human Body

Chelsey Youman: Pro-Life, Holistic, Comprehensive Care

Christie Thomas: Developing Deep Faith Roots in Your Kids

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In this episode, we hear from Nancy Pearcey, a prolific and inspiring Christian author who wrote the acclaimed book, "Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions About Life and Sexuality." When so many of today's sex and body issues are confusing, Pearcey gets directly to the point of our bodies, sexuality and existence as beings made in God's image.

As her book's description reads, it aims "to counter the hostility toward the human body and the biological facts of life that drives many of today’s heart-wrenching headline stories."

She covers abortion, transgenderism, homosexuality, hook-up culture and so much more. I was honored to get to speak with this incredible woman, once dubbed “America’s preeminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual.” I have learned so much from her and I know you will too!

Recent episodes:

Chelsey Youman: The Human Coalition

Christie Thomas: Developing Deep Faith Roots in Your Kids

Joni Earekeson Tada: Joy, Heaven and Quadriplegia

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In this episode, I speak with Chelsey Youman, Texas State Director and National Legislative Advisor for the Human Coalition.

Chelsey has been on the frontlines of the abortion fight and THC represents thousands of women who have chosen life for their babies. Here, we discuss how pro lifers are coming together to make even more provisions and legisltion to help vulnerable women in this precarious time.

Chelsey debunks myths about abortion facilities and pro lifers in general. She tells us about some of the awesome work on the table right now to help empower women to choose life!

My favorite stat is that 75% of women surveyed (who are considering abortion say they would prefer to parent, rather than have an abortion, if life circumstances were different. What's awesome is that prolife orgs like the Human Coalition are ensuring these women have what they need to change those circumstances for the better!

Recent episodes:

Christie Thomas: Developing Deep Faith Roots in Your Kids

Joni Earekeson Tada: Joy, Heaven and Quadriplegia

Hannah Keeley: Christian Mom Coach

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Christie Thomas knows what it takes to help you disciple your children well. As the mother of three boys and a former children's ministry director, she also knows it can be overwhelming.

When I discovered Christie's work last year, I was taken in a second. As I struggled to teach my littles about faith, I found her resources, which include devotional books, children's books and an online community, an answer to prayer.

In this interview, I speak with Christie about how she developed such an awesome curriciulum, how moms can more easily help grow deep faith roots in their kids (even really little ones) and why it doesn't have to be as "hard" as it may seem at first.

I use Christie's books every single day in my family and have bought ALL of her devotionals and books so it's safe to say I am a huge fan!

Recent episodes:

Joni Earekeson Tada: Joy, Heaven and Quadriplegia

Hannah Keeley: Christian Mom Coach

Dr. Christina Francis: American Association for Pro-Life OB-GYNs

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Joni Earekson Tada is a name I've known for most of my life. I remember her book sitting on a bookshelf in my childhood church, her story of becoming a quadrapilegic at 17 years old after a diving accident. And yet, in the midst of this personal tragedy, she reached out to God and He has worked through her life in the most incredible ways.

When I saw her new children's book, The Awesome Super Fantastic Forever Party Storybook, I knew I had to ask if I could interview her. I am so thankful she said yes and gave me her precious time for this interview.

Here, we talk about what it was like right after her accident, how she felt and how God moved in her life over time. We talk about her amazing ministry, Joni and Friends, which provides wheelchairs & ministry to people who are disabled across the world. She reveals how she stays joyful in chronic pain and what heaven really means to her.

It was truly an honor to chat with this amazing woman of God. I learned so much about how to handle suffering, even the little bit I have in my own life. I encourage to take the 25 minutes of this episode and listen closely. God will speak to you too, I'm sure of it!

Recent episodes:

Hannah Keeley: Christian Mom Coach

Dr. Christina Francis: American Association for Pro-Life OB-GYNs

Amanda Held Opelt: Faith, Grief & Grace

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Hannah Keeley is known as America's #1 Mom Coach (don't we all need one of those?!) She has created Mom Mastery University with all kinds of classes and resources for moms and she trains Christian life coaches around the world. Oh -- did I mention she's a mom of 7 children? Yup -- she's got ALL the experience.

That experience is hard-won, however. After getting overwhelmed in early motherhood, she knew something had to change. She prayed and asked God to help her dig out of the pit. With "bull-headed determination," she began to create a better life and a better motherhood.

Don't miss our conversation, where Hannah also discusses her most recent book, Mom Fog: 8 Steps to Overcoming Mom Fatigue Syndrome.

Recent episodes:

Dr. Christina Francis: American Association for Pro-Life OB-GYNs

Amanda Held Opelt: Faith, Grief & Grace

Erin Wheeler: The True Beauty of the Church

Jennie Allen: Saying ‘Yes’ to God

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Dr. Christina Francis is the Chairman of the Board of the American Association of Pro-Life OB-GYNs. I spoke with her for a story, but her answers were so incredible that I just had to deliver this interview as a podcast episode as well.

In this episode, Dr. Francis answers questions about her reaction to Roe v. Wade possibly being overturned, and speaks to some of the myths that have been circulating since the news came out. We speak about: '

Could ectopic pregnancies and miscarriage somehow be criminalized? How is medical treatment different than abortion?

The dangers of the abortion pill and self-managed abortions at home (complications are 4x higher and she speaks to this.)

The abortion pill reversal program (they've seen over 3,000 babies delivered to women who changed their minds after taking their first abortion pill)

The truth behind 2nd & 3rd trimester abortions

How often do fetal anomalies make it "necessary" to have an abortion?

How does abortion harm women in ways beyond the actual procedure?

This is not easy subject matter, but I hope it's clear from this conversation that those of us who are pro-life are genuine and compassionate about our care for both women and children. Dr. Francis does an incredible job clarifying some information that I think gets clouded in media circles. I hope you'll consider what she has to say!

Related episodes:

Claire Culwell: An Abortion Survivor's Story

Lila Rose: Founder of Live Action

Monica Kelsey: Safe Haven Baby Boxes

Kelly Clemente: A Birth Mom Shares Her Story

Destiny Herndon De La Rosa: Pro-Life Feminism

Brooke Martin: Surviving Infant Loss

Lauren Enriquez: The Human Coalition

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In this episode, I speak with Amanda Held Opelt, an author, mother and songwriter who lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her husband and two daughters.

Amanda's upcoming book, A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Meaning, she dives into her own grief over her miscarriages, the unexpected death of her sister, Rachel Held Evans and her grandmother.

She asks and answers questions that plagued her: What does it mean to truly grieve and to grieve well? Why is it so hard to move on? Why didn’t my faith prepare me for this kind of pain? And what am I supposed to do now?

In this beautiful memoir and in our conversation, Amanda speaks about her own grief, the legacy of her sister and more broadly, the wider world of human grief practices in different cultures and eras. It was an honor to speak with Amanda and I encourage you check out her upcoming book.

Recent episodes:

Jennie Allen: Saying ‘Yes’ to God

Mikayla Albertson: Family Doctor & Mom of 5 Living “Ordinary on Purpose”

Hunter Beless: Helping Women Know & Love God Better

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Erin Wheeler is a gem and her love for the Christian Church is contagious! After I heard Erin on another podcast, I immediately knew I had to interview her. She's written a beautiful book on the Church, why it matters, what it's purpose is and she's participating in her local church in admirable ways as well.

Her message is one of truth, good doctrine and deep understanding of God's beloved, His Church -- in the form of the local church and the universal Church around the world.

Whether you are new to church or grew up going, you'll learn something from Erin in this episode. As someone who did grow up in church, I'm shocked by how much I never knew until recently! The more you understand about the purpose of the Church, the more appreciation and understanding you have for it's incredible value. I consider Erin a partner in this ministry to advocate on behalf of the Bride of Christ, His imperfect but beloved church body!

Recent episodes:

Jennie Allen: Saying 'Yes' to God

Mikayla Albertson: Family Doctor & Mom of 5 Living "Ordinary on Purpose"

Hunter Beless: Helping Women Know & Love God Better

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