You Were Made for More

In this episode, Sammie talks with Chaney Mullins about lots of topics: sexuality and marriage, femininity, women’s healthcare, and the value, or sanctity, of human life. Chaney  serves as Development Coordinator for Divine Mercy Care, an educational and fundraising organization advancing pro-life health care.  There, she works to promote the next frontier in the pro-life movement:  inspiring pro-life OB/GYNs and building full medical centers that serve all women with good Christian health care – those with insurance and those without.  She is a champion for deeper partnerships between local churches and women in need. Chaney also serves on the board of the Healing Center International, which is dedicated to helping people find more joy in their relationships with God and others.  Additionally, Chaney is the co-founder of The Amore Project, which empowers deeper communities through viewing Christ as the intimate lover of our whole selves – body and soul. She’s also a special projects writer at Concerned Women of America.

Grab your coffee, turn up the volume, and hang out with us! I hope this episode inspires you to think... "Am I truly pursuing the woman God made me to be?"

Things we mention in this episode: 

• ChaneyMullins.Com
• Chaney's Instagram
• Theology of the Body
• Chaney's Email: [email protected]
• Biblical Femininity eBook (FREE!)

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

My twin sister Meesh is joining me today on the You Were Made for More Podcast, so we can talk a little bit more about who we are and our struggle with identity growing up! I’m so thankful that I’m a twin - and it’s also cool to have someone who grew up in the same environment as you, during the same time as you, but with a totally different personality and different perspective. Meesh and I are so similar, but we’re also so different - I hope that this conversation with Meesh enlightens your hearts about who I am and where I came from, and that you also learn from her struggle with trauma, identity, and how she’s leaned into God to make her a person capable of loving and being loved. If you know anything about my story, you know that Meesh and I didn’t speak English until we were 5, due to a disorder with our speech development. This affected both of us similarly, but also very differently, as you’ll hear us talk about throughout our conversation. 

Meesh currently lives in Sewickley, PA where she serves as the Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries at St. Stephen’s Church. Meesh is engaged to her fiance Caleb, and together, they love the kiddos of their community really well. I’m excited for you to hear this conversation because I think it’s really important - like I’ve said before, your struggle with identity may not look the same as mine, but I believe in some way, shape, or form, we all struggle with believing and living into who we were created to be. When we open up conversation about it, we’re inviting the light to come into dark places in our hearts where fear, insecurity, and trauma live and Satan thrives. 

I hope this episode feels like you're just sitting across the table from us at a coffee shop!

Things we mention in this episode: 

• Jess Connolly
• Meesh's Instagram and Facebook

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, Sammie talks with her best friend, Ally Carter. If you know Ally, you love her, and you're better for knowing her.

Ally Carter is a fierce woman who loves Jesus and loves people equally as well. I met Ally a few years ago through my twin sister, but we formed a relationship when I would go visit Meesh at college. Ally was on staff with Young Life, and we automatically hit it off. Ally’s passionate about loving people - she is one of the best humans I know at striking up conversation, being intentional, and asking good questions. She believes in the power of community and lives that out every day as she engages people in a secular workspace, cares for families in her community, and makes sure that each of her friends feels loved. I have been so blessed by Ally and I’ve learned a lot about how she does friendship - and I think it’s important for you guys to hear some of that reasoning. If you ever get the chance to meet Ally, she’ll probably take you out for a cup of coffee and spend hours getting to know your story. I hope this conversation with her gives you a snap shot at just how powerful it is to be thoughtful in conversation and to open your heart to friendships, and how they really do have the power to change your life.

Some things we mentioned on the episode:

• Ally's Instagram and Facebook
• Young Life
• PULSE
• Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

“Abortion is a breakdown in community. In our moment of greatest need for real, compassionate, empowering human relationship, there is a void of connection.”

— Josiah Friedman, CEO & Founder of Voices for the Voiceless

In this episode, you’re going to meet a legend - Josiah Friedman is the CEO of Voices for the Voiceless, an organization that spends every day advocating for the worth and dignity of human beings. Not only that, he spends each and everyday equipping others to do just that, through storytelling and real, raw conversations with real people.

Josiah is the visionary mastermind behind the #standbyher movement. A graduate of Arizona Christian University, he founded Voices for the Voiceless as a nonprofit in 2013 while pursuing double majors in Journalism and Political Science. He is widely known for his creative approach and compassionate cultural voice that reaches people from all sides of the issue. Josiah's lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife, Andrea, who partners with him as the Marketing Director of Voices for the Voiceless. 

I’m really excited for you to hear my conversation with Josiah, as we talk about his faith journey and how God has ignited his heart on fire for this movement. Josiah is a gifted communicator, has a heart for loving every single person that God has created, and I really admire the work he’s doing.

Here's some of the things we mention in the episode: 

• Voices for the Voiceless
• Josiah's TED Talk
• VOX Study
• The Voices Docuseries

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, Sammie sits down and talks to Ebie Hepworth; Ebie has a vulnerable and relatable heart that has allowed her to encourage countless women across the globe. You may know her from serving with an organization called Wipe Every Tear for five years, where she had the opportunity to be a part of bringing freedom and restoration to women trafficked in the sex trade. She's the author of a 30-day devotional, Fearless Girl, and is in the process of writing her second book!

Ebie is a woman passionate about cultivating healthy family, adoption, speaking identity and truth into women, and throwing away our masks so we can be honest about where we are at. She's the CEO and "Chief Dreamer" at Fearless Co, an organization that cultivates a movement of women unhindered by fear. She's a wife to her husband, Zac, and a mother to their two beautiful children, Birdie and Asa.

In this episode, we talk about her love story with her husband, her journey with infertility, and the international adoption story that God has authored for her family and how she is really all about loving the orphans like we are called to do in Scripture (even though she's in her mid-20's!). I love Ebie's heart, and I really think her family is a beautiful testament to how God writes more beautiful stories than we could even imagine, even in the hard moments. If you're curious about adoption, why it's important, or maybe you're thinking about adopting one day yourself, this conversation is something you don't want to miss.

Here are some things we mention in the episode:

• Ebie's book, Fearless Girl
• Fearless Co.
• Ebie's Website and Instagram

If Ebie's story touched you, please join me in praying for favor and healing over her family!

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog, or, send guest recommendations to us! If you liked what you heard, remember to give us a star rating and leave a review, so we know what you're loving! 

We love y'all! Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to follow us on social media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

On this episode of the You Were Made for More podcast, Sammie talks with Zach Verrett. Zach is currently living in Austin, TX working for Austin Stone Community Church as part of their Connections ministry, and he's a magnetic, Jesus-loving, driven guy, who is serving the Kingdom with everything He has. Zach has a passion for relationships and seeing young men and women live into the life that Jesus has called them to, which is why he spent a number of years touring around the country bringing a message of purity to MS and HS students with the Unaltered Tour (formerly known as the Silver Ring Thing).

I'm so excited for you guys to hear what he's learned about purity, and how it really is an IDENTITY, instead of a goal.

If Zach's wisdom hit home in your heart, visit his website or follow him on Instagram to keep up with how he's serving and what he's learning!

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog, or, send guest recommendations to us! If you liked what you heard, remember to give us a star rating and leave a review, so we know what you're loving! 

We love y'all! Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to follow us on social media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, Sammie chats with author Courtney Wilson, about the message in her book, It Is Written: Daily Truth to Face the Lies We Battle, and how to grab hold of our God-given identities. Courtney is passionate about sharing the Truth that's rooted in Scripture about who we are and developing dreams of this generation. Courtney's the founder of Trailblazer Journals, an online community that believes this generation is called to be trailblazers in the culture we're in. She's also the founder of the Little Creative Company, a small design agency dedicated to helping non-profits, Christian organizations, churches and dreamers develop their brand, websites, and dreams.

I'm thankful for Courtney's heart and her passion as she leads this movement of trailblazing for the glory of God, and I hope that through this conversation, you're reminded that God has a purpose for YOU in the midst of whatever season you're in.

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• The Enneagram 
• It Is Written: Daily Truth to Face the Lies We Battle
• Matthew 4 - The Temptation of Jesus
• Bible in a Year Plan (The Bible Project)
• Come Matter Here by Hannah Brencher 
• It's Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst

Here's Court's website & Instagram (@courthopewilson) so you can follow along with her journey!

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog, or, send guest recommendations to us! If you liked what you heard, remember to give us a star rating and leave a review, so we know what you're loving! 

We love y'all! Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to follow us on social media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, Sammie has a conversation with Rachel and Thomas Awtrey; two people who love Jesus, are chasing after Him, and just happen to have met in their high school youth group. Now, after years of dating and pursuing one another, they've been married for three years and share what they've learned through the love story that God has given them.

Rachel and Thomas live in Birmingham, Alabama, where they attend Church of the Highlands; Rachel spends her days sharing tips, tricks, and truth on social media through her blog and her podcast, Behind the Bliss. Thomas spends his days as a member of the Alabama Air National Guard, along with travelling and adventuring since he has his pilot's license! They also have a precious pup named Remi! They're full of energy, wisdom, and their love for one another shines through in my conversation with them.

We talk about so many things, ranging from how to keep Christ at the center of your relationship, how to trust Him even when things don't seem to be going your way, sexual purity + repentance, tips for engagement, all the way to how to champion one another in marriage and cultivate a friendship along with romance.

Here's some things we mentioned in this episode:

• Rachel's Website
• Behind the Bliss Podcast

To check out everything happening in their work, family, and life, head on over and follow @rachel.awtrey or @thomasawtrey on Instagram!

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog, or, send guest recommendations to us! If you liked what you heard, remember to give us a star rating and leave a review, so we know what you're loving! 

We love y'all! Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to follow us on social media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, Sammie interviews Dana Henry, a counselor and pastor's wife from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, who has dedicated her Kingdom calling to helping people find freedom from their traumas, so that they may live abundantly in their relationships. Dana has experience professionally handling traumas, as well as experience in doing the hard work of personal healing herself. If you want a run-down on what trauma is, and how the body scientifically responds to trauma, this is for YOU! We're so thankful for Dana's testimony and her willingness to share her story.

Here's some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• Dana's testimony about her abortion
• Inner Healing Prayer
• EDMR Technique
• The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
• The American Association of Christian Counselors

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog and send guest recommendations to us! If you liked what you heard, remember to give us a star rating and leave a review, so we know what you're loving!

We love y'all! Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to follow us on social media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

"While the mess I experienced, both the things that happened to me & the broken path I chose, was not His heart for my life, He has yet to waste a drop of it. Healing is mine for the taking, victory is mine for the taking, freedom is mine for the taking. And the same is true for you, wherever you are - no matter how heavy the mess you carry. He sees you, He holds you, and He loves you, so much. Do not let the lies you hear make you believe that you are too far from grace." -Nadine Mitchell, The Revival Folk Blog

In this episode, Sammie interviews Nadine Mitchell, a momma of four girls, blogger, wife, and owner of the brand, the Revival Folk, which creates and offers prints, posters, cards and a variety of events to help you uncover community. Through this episode, we hear a snapshot of Nadine's story from childhood to adulthood as she exemplifies who Jesus is through the redemptive work He has done in her life.

We cover topics like trauma, abuse, counseling, freedom, marriage, mental health, the importance of community and identity. This is one of our favorite episodes yet, and you do not want to miss it - so much wisdom and goodness!

Here are some of Nadine's Favorite things: 

• Sandals Church, California Region
• Her favorite current read, Jackie Hill Perry's Gay Girl, Good God
• The Revival Folk Website

To check out everything happening in her work, family, and life, head on over to her Instagram page for some daily encouragement!

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog and send guest recommendations to us! If you liked what you heard, remember to give us a star rating and leave a review, so we know what you're loving! 

We love y'all! Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to follow us on social media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram