Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women

Beth doesn't need an introduction. But if you desire one you can go to Living Proof Ministries to find out about what she does and who she is.

Diane Langberg (Ph.D., Temple University) is an internationally recognized psychologist with more than 50 years of experience. Langberg is the author of seven books, including Redeeming Power. Her books have been translated into 10 languages. We will be talking to her today about her latest book, When the Church Harms God's People: Becoming Faith Communities that Resist Abuse, Pursue Truth, and Care for the Wounded (Brazos).

Short Bio: Colleen Ramser, M.A., is an EMDR-certified licensed professional counselor (LPC) specializing in trauma - particularly on issues of spiritual abuse and domestic abuse. She is a speaker and writer who meets Christ-followers at the intersection of trauma and faith and has appeared on podcasts such as Christianity Today's The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill and The Slow Work. As a survivor of trauma, Colleen is a compassionate witness on the journey, bringing a deep knowing of dark nights and new mercies.

Connect with Colleen at colleenramserlpc.com, on Facebook at @colleenramser, or Instagram at @colleen.m.ramser

Heather Matthews (D. Min. Fuller Seminary) is the doctor of ministry program manager at Wheaton College Graduate School. She has also worked as a pastor, church planter, nonprofit leader, and a global worker. She is the author of Confronting Sexism in the Church: How We Got Here and What We Can Do About It, an IVP publication.

Pastors' Wives Tell All — Jessica Taylor is a speaker, pastor's wife, and founder of Come Away Missions, a nonprofit serving the people of Rwanda. Jenna Allen is a creative, photographer, tech wiz, business owner, speaker, and discipleship/worship pastor's wife who brings beauty and a clear message into every project she touches. Stephanie Gilbert is a blogger, speaker, and youth minister's wife who has made it her life's mission to seek out joy amid the junk of everyday life. Collectively, through their Pastors' Wives Tell All ministry, they are breaking down walls within the church and crushing pastor wifey stereotypes with a little bit of ministry therapy and a whole lot of Jesus… plus epic belly laughs! They are the authors of Pastors' Wives Tell All: Navigating Real Church Life with Honesty and Humor. You can find out more about their ministry at their website, www.pastorswivestellall.com.

Jen Pollock Michel is a speaker and the author of numerous books. She is a regular contributor for Christianity Today. A wife and mother of five, Jen lives in Cincinnati where she moved to care for her mother. Jen first joined us in February of 2021. She is back with us today to talk about her new book Surprised by Paradox: The Promise of And in an Either-Or World (IVP).

Aubrey Sampson is passionate about helping hurting people find comfort and hope, walking with them as a fellow-traveler through pain. She is an award-nominated author, whose books include The Louder Song, a children's book Big Feelings Days, and her forthcoming book, What We Find in the Dark: Loss, Hope, and God's Presence in Grief (April, 2025, NavPress). Aubrey is also a church planter, teaching pastor at Renewal Church, and a cohost on the Nothing is Wasted Podcast. Learn more at aubreysampson.com.

In this bonus episode, Elyse interviews Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne about her new film, For Our Daughters. In this documentary, which is a collaboration between women who were sexually assaulted, shamed, and blamed by their churches, and attorney Rachael Denhollender, Du Mez connects the dots between toxic masculinity, the treatment of many women in the evangelical church, the lust for power resident in the Christian Nationalist movement, and our current political context.

Kristin Kobes Du Mez is a NYT best selling author and professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University. She holds a PhD from the University of Norte Dame and her research focuses on the intersection of gender, religion, and politics. Her most recent book is Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.