Christian Writing & Speaking (CWS) with Jacqui Wilson: Recent Episodes

Jacqui Wilson

We are empowering people who desire to walk the Christian road of faith, bringing them powerful testimonies and stories of victory, and helping them solidify the foundation for those who are exploring the possibility of traveling this road. Hear the transformative stories and testimonies of the Christian authors and speakers affecting the Christian world. Explore their messages, learn about their books and products, and how what they do changes your life and those you love. The message you hear today will change someone’s life tomorrow. Become a part of the CWS podcast family. We would love to have you.

Her daughter touched her neck and asked, "Mommy, why did daddy hurt your neck?" She decided that this would not be a part of her children's story. Stacy Barnes was a devout Christian who became pregnant out of wedlock. Instead of her church members helping to restore her to the fellowship, she became the object of gossip, no one talked to her, and she felt ashamed that she had destroyed her Christian witness. Yet, hoping to move on, she married the child's father. After they married, his abusive tendencies revealed themselves. Eventually, she divorced, but during this tumultuous time, she went on a journey to restore her relationship with God. When she married a second time, it was right. Stacy wrote the book Damage Goods: A Devotional for the Slightly Imperfect to share her testimony of how God restored her and hopes that others who have had similar experiences will see how God can restore them to a right relationship with Him.

Laying at the bottom of the stairs, her daughter asked, “Mommy, are you okay?” Knowing she was not okay, she sought to reassure her daughter that everything was fine, but everything was not fine. After falling down the stairs, she sustained a back injury and developed CRPS. The pain was crippling, leaving her bedridden. Then, miraculously she started recovering. She went from being bedridden to a wheelchair to walking again. However, nine years later due to an accident with a falling chair, her journey would start again. This time Darci Steiner decided to share her story in the book Beauty Beyond the Thorns: Discovering Gifts in Suffering. Tune in to hear more.

At the age of seven, his father asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Gregory Williams prophetically responded that he wanted to be a sheepherder. At thirteen, he knew he had a call to the ministry and later entered seminary only to realize that the truth he had known was not the truth, leaving him with many questions. Life continued, and eventually, he found himself married, raising a family, and living in the desert as a sheepherder. One day, as he herded sheep, he fell to the ground to ask God what was missing. The door was open for the truth to unfold. Tune in to hear the full story and what he discovered.

Is your faith with you on the field, the court, the track, or even in the stands? Speaker and host of the Catholic Sports Radio show, Bruce Wawrzyniak, has interviewed some of the biggest names, but the challenge he issues is the same for all. Let us not be Sunday morning only Christians but allow our faith to intersect our sports activities to lift the name of Jesus Christ, change us internally, and serve as beacons of light for others to draw toward Christ. He emphasizes that we should DO it with boldness. Dare to be different in how we choose to speak and act toward others during sports activities. Utilize the symbols that connect us to our faith as introductions and reminders of our faith to others. Tune in now to hear more.

catholic #sports #sportsradio #christianpodcast #thecwspod

If you are someone who has had their heart smashed, did not know how you would brave through the situation, felt angry and abandoned by God, or found yourself struggling to get out of bed, this episode is for you. Pastor, speaker, and author Brenda Seedfelt Amodea shares her story of the difficulties she faced,, how she has dealt with the pain, and continued to work with people as a part of the spiritual formation. You can dive deeper by reading her book, I Wish I could Take Away Your Pain, or visiting her website Bravester.com. Tune in now for the interview, and don’t forget to like this episode and subscribe to our podcast.

Is God speaking to you? Do you recognize when He is speaking to you? What if healing and changing lives were tethered to your ability to hear Him? In this episode, we explore how God speaks to us with Rev. Dr. David Chotka, founder and director of Spirit-Equip Ministries and co-author of Healing Prayer: God's Idea For Restoring Body, Mind and Spirit. Dr. Chotka recounts his first experience of healing prayer and the challenges that led to him finally listening to God to have a supernatural experience that would change his and others' lives. Tune in, and hear more.

godisspeaking #prayer #HolySpiritencounter #resurrection #christianpodcast

*Trigger Warning: This episode's subject matter may cause strong emotional reactions.

What can grow out of darkness? What can life look like after being trafficked? Where does God fit into it all? In this episode, we answer these questions with Amanda Blackwood. Author, speaker, artist, and podcaster, Amanda shares what human trafficking is, the misconceptions, and the discovery of knowing a name existed for her experiences. We delve further to talk about what it looks like to overcome and how forgiveness is a key component in not only surviving but thriving. Tune in to hear more.

Have you ever felt so desperate that you asked God for death? Aaron Guyett, the founder of the Discipled in Christ app, asked God for death while serving overseas. Discouraged by what he saw in certain "Christians' behaviors" while also questioning whether God existed led him on a journey to determine the truth. He explored other religions, but still found no satisfaction until he found his lifeline in Christ. When he did, God answered his prayer for death but not in the way he expected. Now, he is helping others to connect and live like Christ through his app. Listen to his story, and if you discover that you are dying to find Christ, reach out to us.

How important is diversity to your church or Christian ministry? Are you meeting the spiritual and cultural needs of your congregation and those you serve? In this episode, we talk with Andrena Sawyer, founder of the Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network (MCWEN) and author of The Misadventures of a New Entrepreneur: 5 Things They Won’t Teach You in Business School. Andrena and I delve into what diversity should look like, concerns, and whether space is being made for diversity to sit at the table. Tune in to hear more, and be sure to comment your thoughts.

What does life look like after you have gambled it all away? The Rev. Dr. James W. Smith can answer that question for you. He was a young prominent attorney, but he had a problem. Fears railed at him. He felt urged not to lose or disappoint isolating himself, and he fell into a game that ultimately became his reality of risks, leading him to the other side of the law. However, that was not his end, and in this interview, you will hear about the fall, the hope, and the courage to start life again. Now, he is an author and uses his story as a beacon of light for those who have fallen and must get up again. Tune in to listen.

sexualabuse #healing #survivor #christianpodcast #TheCWSpod

When does the hiding start? According to Catherine Cooper, author of It’s Time Out for Hiding, the hiding starts when we protect the secret. Shame and fear DRIVE the hiding, but even with the secret hidden, something inside of you will feel broken until you release. This is what happened with Catherine. For years she hid her childhood sexual abuse. Though she was saved, she knew something was wrong because she had mood swings. She wanted God to fix it, and He did. When she attended a T.D. Jakes Conference, she released it all, and the chains of shame and fear broke. Learn more about her story and how you can release too.

How would you feel if you did not know the other half of you? Do you think God cares? Richard Kweku EzeAgu Akinyemi, author of Found My People, went to a Nigerian wedding with hopes of learning more about the people and the culture, but during his journey, questions sparked him to learn more about his roots. When the DNA test revealed his ancestry, it changed his life. He says God led him to the right connections and provided the opportunity that pushed him to learn more. Just as God uses Jesus's genealogy as a connection point, God is using Richard Kweku EzeAgu Akinyemi's story. Tune in to learn more.

How do you deeply and compellingly experience God through nature? Photojournalist Pasquale "Pat" Mingarelli gives us insights into his journey to experiencing God more deeply through his photographic devotional book Drawing Near: Meeting God in His Creation. He goes beyond the well-known creation story and delves into other biblical stories to provide another connection perspective. If you crave a deeper connection to God, tune in and learn more. We will meet you at the intersection of God, photography, and the outdoors.

Can we bridge the gap between science and Christianity? Poet and author Cynthia Wilkening, who has a background in science, is on a mission to show how the science and Christian communities can benefit from one another and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of what the other has to offer. Often, a war has been waged between the communities as scientists define what is by the evidence they can hold and see while the Christian faith explores what can happen even when the evidence is not there. As a lover of both science and the Christian faith, Cynthia connects the two through the use of haiku and hopes others can do the same.

What would you do if you could no longer do what you love? The life of award-winning ceramic artist Morgan McCarver was drastically different ten years ago. As a child, she was fully immersed in the dance culture, but after her scoliosis diagnosis, failed treatment, and eventual spinal fusion surgery, she could no longer continue. A young teenager with a long road of recovery, her mother placed her in a ceramics class to help ease the loss. She fell in love. The artistic beauty she could no longer display through dance shaped its way into her art. At the same time, she realized she needed to go deeper in her faith walk. Thus, she eased away from being dependent upon her parent’s faith and developed her relationship with God instead. Now, she has released her first book, God the Artist: Revealing God’s Creative Side through Pottery. Tune in to hear the rest of Morgan's story and walk away inspired as you gain insight into how God may be reworking your life.

Is God done with you? If not, what is He teaching you through your situation? Bible teacher and counselor Shellie Wilson received a devastating medical diagnosis. One day, the doctor said nothing was wrong, and the next day, she was told to go to the hospital. Eventually, she learned she would need a new kidney. Flabbergasted by the news, she went to her porch and cried out to the Lord. She was at peace with dying if that was what God intended, but He was not done with her yet. Instead, the Holy Spirit directed her to focus on four disciplines that would strengthen her in her faith walk. As she focused on what God was teaching her, she joyfully shared the word of God with people who were receiving treatment alongside her. Tune in to find out what God said to her concerning the four disciplines. *At the time of this recording, someone had volunteered a kidney. Our prayers are with them.

Did you have one image of God in your mind, but later that imagery was shattered when you were confronted with the ugliness of the world? After joining the military, famous novelist and Navy veteran Jeffrey Wilson found himself face-to-face with a very different faith reality than what he had known in his youth. He questioned how a good God could allow such evil to manifest. He responded by digging deeper into his Word. However, even after God provided the necessary answers, he recognized that he struggled with issues that only he and others who had faced similar circumstances could understand. Thus, he and a friend launched a men's ministry specifically focused on those with a military history. Eventually, the group's growth exploded as they shared common experiences and explored where God was among all the terror. Tune in to learn what Jeffrey came to understand and why the formation of a ministry for those with a military history mattered.

Do you have a Christian parenting plan? Derek and Amy Weichel, authors of A Chance to Change and Founders of Faithful Parent, Questioned how they should raise their children. Viewing the statistics, acknowledging their inconsistencies, and dealing with the everyday overwhelm of raising four children age five and younger set them in motion to discover the best plan for their family. When they could not find what they wanted, they studied and developed what they needed. After implementing their plan, their family feels more focused, connected, and fun. Now, they are sharing what they learned with others. Tune in to discover more.

What is the culture of your workplace, and how are your leaders shaping it? Kerry L. Bass, CEO and Founder of Potential to Reality Consulting and a senior member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), initially struggled with the call on his life and wondered how he could meld his spiritual call with his job. However, he yielded to God’s will. Through his work, He repeatedly found that Christians must exhibit their faith in the workplace, especially those within leadership roles. Integrity, being true to who you are, is foundational in shaping the workplace environment. You determine whether it is a family or only a team. You determine the level of excellence and driving factors. Poor work environments yield inconsistencies, and employees will reflect what is set, not yielding more than what is asked. Thus, he urges people to be salt and light. Tune in to learn more.

Do you know how to invest in a biblically responsible way? Known as a financial rock star, Darryl Lyons, CEO and co-founder of PAX Financial Group, LLC, started his biblically responsible investment strategy simply. He gave and trusted God, even when he had needs. As he did, he experienced an increase. He dove deeper by determining whether his financial investments in other companies aligned with what he believed and made appropriate changes. Now, he is helping others do the same. If you want your faith and financial investments to align, tune in to learn more and start your biblically responsible investment journey today.

Have you ever been told that you need to keep your faith under wraps in the workplace? Katie Hornor, author of The Flamingo Advantage, took an unexpected detour from missionary work to entrepreneurship at the behest of God. As she delved into this unexpected call, she realized that the largest mission field was within the workplace perhaps. While Christians often settle into the background, she says we were meant to stand out and allow our actions to demonstrate our faith. It starts with a biblical mindset. Having a biblical mindset will affect what you do and how people view you, but it is even larger than this. Katie emphasizes that acting in faith is a form of worship. Thus, she helps people maximize the impact of their expertise without compromising their faith, core values, or non-negotiables. Tune in.

When you do mission work, do you see the people you serve, or do you see another project to be fixed? DeAnna Sanders, author of Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with Your Neighbors and the Nations, realized that she was not seeing the people. Although she loved mission work, busyness ruled her days, and she found herself completing projects rather than being with the people. She says that when you do not see the people, you lose the joy of the mission and the opportunity to form deeper connections. Now, she shares powerful stories about the importance of seeing the people. Listen to learn more.

Moms, are you feeling overwhelmed, questioning whether you are getting it right, or experiencing mom guilt? You are not alone. Life coach and author Mirella Acebo understands. As she was becoming a mom, she lost her mom and often felt overwhelmed by her emotions as a new mom. Later, she discovered that it was natural for her to experience her feelings, she acknowledged them, but at the same time, she stood on God's truth to navigate her through. Now, you can learn more about how she did it in this episode and through her book, SOS for the MOM, and receive guidance as to how you can navigate it all. Tune in now.

Is your soul satisfied? Author, pastor, and pursuer of truth Cory Rosenke says our souls are craving. Although an avid lover of philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, he knows these mechanisms can never fulfill the appetite of the soul, and often we fail to recognize the hunger in our soul because our attitudes toward its existence are passive and mute instead of bold and lively, as God intended. He says we must go beyond the biology of who we are to embrace what God wants to give us, communion with Him. Tune in to learn more. #soul #spiritualgrowth #christianpodcast #thecwspod #EMPREPINC

How do you imagine life after a heavenly encounter? To most looking at the fiery crash scene, Calvin Cassady's life would seem over, but God had a different plan. After the fiery crash, he and his friends were rescued. On his way to the hospital, Calvin died and encountered heaven. However, he could not stay. God sent him back to earth to carry out his divine appointment. Since then, he has learned that divine appointment arises even in the everyday tasks of blessing people. You can read about his story in his book Bridging the Gap, but most importantly, you can hear his story and decide to walk in your divine appointment. Learn how.

When you can feel the trauma and pain of others, what do you do? Suzy Ryan is the author of the book Saving Summer, and she knew exactly what she needed to do. She needed to share her story and help others overcome. Saving Summer is a novelized coming-of-age version of her story, which relays the woes of poor parenting and poor decision-making by a teen. Despite the woes, Suzy declares her book a “Jesus story” because she realizes how God was with her through it all. Now, she shares her book with other hurting teens and parents, so they will know that they are not alone in their struggles. Tune in now.

Have you ever avoided receiving help because you could not find someone who seemed to understand or respect your values? Johnny Sanders found himself wrestling within the counseling profession until he decided to become more blatant about his Christian faith. Since then, he has found that many respect him for his statement of faith while he continues to provide the standard of care required within his profession. He is known as a “Conservative Christian” counselor which attracts a demographic of the population who may not normally seek counseling, broadening the road to more people receiving the help they need.

Most have heard about Dr. Gary Chapman's five love languages, but what if you grew up in a home where love was skewed due to generational trauma? What if people don't understand what they truly need and find themselves lighting up for a love language different from what they expected? What if you can learn it all through a game? Paul Zolman takes learning about love languages to the next level by teaching people to better recognize love regardless of the type and further improving their love language skills through a game. Tune in to learn why he developed this methodology and how practicing it can help change lives.

In our spirituality, two types of fear exist. One type of fear is a choice in recognizing the power of God and respecting who He is. The other type of fear involves a perceived threat that will harm you. As Nicole grew up, her understanding of God was the second type of fear, thus, propelling her to be a rule follower and people pleaser for fear of breaking the rules and going to hell. However, a near-death accident led her to discover that God was not a harsh ruler but one who sought to build a loving relationship with his children. Now, she is on a journey, unraveling the false narrative to embrace who He is for her life.

After graduating from pharmaceutical school, getting married, and having her first child, Robyn's life was mapped out. However, when her husband’s job decided to move him to another state, she had to start over. In the process, she was dealing with anxiety and working a lackluster job. Her husband encouraged her to work in photography, which she enjoyed. She took his advice, and as she built her photography business, she felt God calling her to something bigger. She leaned into her faith and grew through her anxiety issues, eventually becoming a Christian business coach, helping clients navigate their business growth. Listen now.

Rock bottom was not enough for Doug Sweeney, but the accident jolted him to the reality of his situation. He was driving and survived, but his passenger was killed instantly. Doug started drinking alcohol at a young age, using it as a coping tool, following in the footsteps of the alcoholic, abusive, and absentee father he despised. However, the accident positioned him where he could no longer escape. It was time to deal with the pain of the past, forgiving his father and ultimately accepting forgiveness from the Father. Tune in to hear his story.

In this interview, Author Katrina Robertson dives into the struggles Christians face because many falsely believe they should be able to handle whatever life throws at them. However, if we could handle everything, what would be the point of God? In her award-winning book Juror #11, she explores the difficulty of navigating a broken justice system and how she maintained her faith. She wants people to understand that some situations are beyond our ability to manage, but not God’s. She encourages Christians to stop pretending they are "fine," honestly assess and express where they are, and look to God for help. Tune in.

The week Ahmard Vital released his first book, his father passed away, changing his spiritual life permanently. Though he pleaded with God to save his father, it was not a part of the plan. He was angry with God. He felt unprepared. However, God reassured him that he was with him and challenged him to leave the hospital representing heaven and all the good his earthly father had poured into him. He took that challenge. Later, he realized that he was spiritually arrogant and learned to lean into his faith more deeply, becoming humble and fully embracing his father’s teaching -- live your best life and give it all away.

Even when we don’t know what will happen, Jesus knows, and remembering the truth and anchor of God’s word is crucial to making it through the storm. This is what art lover and author Donny Abbott emphasizes. Struggles in our faith are natural and provide pivotal junctures where we can choose to grow. Writing the book Christ in the Storm: Keeping Faith in the Face of the Unknown, Donny understands well how those challenges pull at us, e.g., the death of his mother to COVID-19 and depression as a pastor, but if we choose to allow the situations to push us closer to Jesus rather than pull away, we will have a greater faith walk.

Marine Corps veteran and author John Jarman took control of his life at the age of twelve. That’s when his father, who was an abusive alcoholic, left the family. Every life decision he made kept him in the driver’s seat until he realized how broken and in need of redemption he was. He didn't grow up in a Christian home. Initially, he used attending church to get away from his drill sergeant. A seed was planted, and gradually, he came into the knowledge of Christ. Eventually, he surrendered his life completely, recognizing his need for humility. Now, you can read a bit about his story in his award-winning book, Broken & Redeemed. Tune in.

CEO, coach, and national best-selling author Shannon Rhodes desires to see people, especially women, walk in their purpose. Not only does she cheer them toward their purpose, but she also exemplifies what living in your purpose looks like. For example, her company, Pure Rhodes, ladens every one of their soap bars with a scripture. Often, you will find her in deep conversation with someone as she coaches them through difficulty and navigates them toward greater. She expounds rays of joy wherever she goes. An encounter with her will cause you to wear your sunglasses because she radiates brightly. Special offer available for listeners of this episode. Tune In to hear more.

If you want to increase your impact, influence, and income as a Christian executive, you must shift your mind. Former producer Elizabeth Louis felt mentally tortured as she sought ways to move past her childhood trauma. Then, she heard about positive psychology emphasizing coaching and decided that was what she needed to learn to help herself. So, she reenrolled in school. One day, while reading the bible, she realized positive psychology was laid out in the scriptures. After transforming her thinking, she shifted to helping others. Now, she helps Christian executives increase their impact, influence, and income.

Sharon Huges is a confidence coach and the award-winning author of "The Girl in the Garage: 3 Steps to Letting Go of Your Past," a faith-based book for breaking free from a lack of confidence, self-worth issues, and a painful past. Growing up, she suffered abuse, emotional neglect, and a barrage of negative incidents, including date rape, which left her believing she was not good enough. However, an encounter with a book started her journey to discovering who she was meant to be, and now, she is using her experiences to ignite confidence in those she meets. Learn more about her and her story in this podcast episode.

confidence #confidencebuilding #overcome #christianpodcast #thecwspod

Everyone looks forward to the wedding date, the beautiful decorations, flowers, cake, the groom in his tux, and the first appearance of the bride in her dress, but let’s back it up. That’s only the wedding date. Do you know the questions you and your fiancé should ask before you say I do? Are you only looking for the red flags, or have you noticed some pink flags? Wedding officiant Aaron Smith shares insights about what couples should ask and do before they say I do, as well as what they should consider doing long after the wedding date is over. Tune in.

wedding #engagement #christiancouples #christianpodcast #thecwspod

She had the education, the charisma, and the perfect model, but she still struggled to communicate as she executed God's plan for her life. She stepped back, pointed the finger at herself, and dove into communication methodology. She realized that communication was more than the words she said, and it included purpose, tonality, mindset, and body language. A better understanding of communication caused her to listen on a deeper level, thus making her more effective with people. Now, she is helping others do the same. How we communicate will determine whether someone will receive the message we desire to give.

Have you ever started reading a story to a child but paused because there was something more to the story? Carrie Pierce, children's author, reminisces about a time when children's books were free of agenda, pure, only providing essential lessons a child needed to learn. Recognizing a need for that, she delved into writing children's books focused on overcoming and taking leaps of faith. She urges other Christian writers to take up this mantle too. If we ever needed light, we need it now. She furthers this message as she works with authors through her publishing company.

Cindy Rand is affectionally known as the Busy Woman's Cheerleader. She coaches women on breaking outside the boxes that society, family, and even friends seek to place them in because she knows that God has made women for greater. Emphasizing the importance of never becoming complacent, she cautions that we must remain wary of the limiting beliefs that we allow others to speak into our lives and prophecy what we desire for our lives. Amid women acknowledging what they want, Cindy helps them balance all aspects of their lives, mind, body, spirit, and finances, giving them the 360-experience. Tune in.

International best-selling author and coach Sylvia Worsham says she sought significance through her corporate job and accomplishments. However, a life-threatening situation with a twenty-percent survival rate refocused her eyes on whom God said she was in Him. Her journey led her to discover her soul identity, and she authored the book Journey to Me: Trust the Wisdom of Change, sharing her story and emphasizing the importance of letting go of our ego-identities. Daily, she invokes a spirit of gratefulness because she knows her harrowing journey guided her to where she needed to be, living her divine calling. Tune in!

At nineteen, Wendy Zahorjanski's life took an unexpected turn. After completing one year of college, she still did not know what she wanted to do with her life. Then, while praying about it, her older brother invited her to visit him in Kyrgyzstan. During her time there, she realized she needed more biblical training to be sure of her beliefs. So, God led her to a bible college in Hungary, where she met her husband. Together, they returned to his home country of Serbia to minister. Reflecting, she realizes that the seeds of missionary work were planted as a child, and she shares her story in the upcoming book Hard Is Only Half the Story.

As an investigative journalist and advocate for victims of cold cases, Ladonna Humphrey fully understands the need for hope in this dark world. Investigating some of the most gruesome crimes, she says it is her active faith in God that helps her serve in this untapped mission field. Often, she finds herself sitting with the victims' families. Although she cannot remove their pain, showing up is one of the most crucial steps for someone who has suffered a loss. As Christians, we have multiple opportunities to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ, but we must recognize the opportunities and show up. Tune in to hear more of her story!

Born to an impoverished teen mom, placed in foster care by age one, and transferred to another state to live with a distant aunt, Steven Snook's start in life was not ideal. He was involved in crime at an early age, eventually leading him to federal prison. While there, he discovered his younger brother was fighting for his life because of his continued involvement in crime. Desperate for his brother to live, he turned to God, starting his Christian journey. He grew exponentially, helping others similarly situated, and it was during solitude that he began to write his upcoming book. Tune in for more!

His teachers said he would never amount to anything. He did not fit into the traditional educational curriculum, and while people rejected him, he rejected the educational standards of the time, eventually dropping out of school. In the process, he drifted from God, maintaining a belief but not living as he should. But suddenly, his life changed. His mother died by suicide, and with his father's prompting, he returned to church to find answers. From that point, he chose to live with purpose, asking God to work through his hands and standing on his pillars of faith, family, fitness, and finance. Tune in to this empowering episode.

One day, Johnathan Drayton was struck by Proverbs 9:10, which says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (KJV). He wanted to live more wisely and realized he had to have a more intimate and intentional relationship with God to achieve his goal. Previously, his relationship with God hinged on his parents' relationship, but he knew he had to have his own. So, he started by reading the bible and having deeper conversations about God with others. These deep conversations would develop into a podcast, and today, he is known as the Christian Philosopher.

Marnie Swedberg says you should experience excitement about who you are as a person. God created you uniquely, and if you can embrace this truth, giving yourself over to your uniqueness and God's plan, you will receive the well done intended for you. Marnie is the founder and director of WomenSpeakers.com. She has given her life over to God to follow the unique plan He has for her life. As a result, He has expanded her territory mightily, affecting thousands through her obedience. Are you ready to do the same? Tune in to learn more.

CPS #justice #christianpodcast #publishing #TheCWSpod False accusations became the propeller she needed to answer the most significant call in her life. Experiencing traumatic events with child protective services made Susan question whether God was real, and He didn't let her down in providing proof. Gradually, He revealed through her situation that He was real, opening her up to the greater possibilities He had for her life. She wrote a book detailing her experience with child protective services, but that was not the end of her journey in the publishing world. God wanted her to go further and start a publishing company that is now producing more extraordinary acts of service to others. Tune in.

christianpodcast #christianmarriage #church #intimacy #TheCWSpod

When we hear the word intimacy, its meaning is often fast-tracked to the word sex. However, according to Dr. April Brown, intimacy is much more than the physical act of sex. In this interview, we explore the definition of intimacy, how the lack of intimacy affects Christian marriage, the "taboos" around sex for Christian women, how the lack of intimacy in couples' lives affects their worship and service, and how the church can assist. Tune in.

christianpodcast #TheCWSpod #drugaddiction #prison #overcome

What is the truth? According to Nikole Thompson, the truth is knowing you need a relationship with Jesus. She and her husband experienced great success through God's blessings but allowed idol influences to enter their lives through friends. Soon, they experienced rapid downfall, fighting to overcome drug addiction, alcoholism, and general sinful living. Finally, a determination to settle into what they knew to be truth fueled them to victory. So now, they help others through their ministry, Prison 2 Preacher, and book, 50 Shades of Truth, to overcome as they did.

*Trigger Warning: Graphic description of child and sexual abuse shared in this interview. Mark Sowersby's abuser left him broken, insecure, and searching for dignity and value. A mountain of pain before him, an invitation to church set him on the path to healing. While on a church youth trip, he chose Christ as his Savior. Step by step, God helped him experience healing. Eventually, he was able to write his book Forgiving the Nightmare, outlining his story and the hope one can find after abuse. Tune in to listen to this episode.

Michael DeLon's joy in the Lord is infectious! He understands how God is concerned even when you need to find the job that best fits you. When he didn't know what to do about his career, God told him to go, and he established himself as an expert in what he already knew. He launched his book On Marketing: The Definitive Guide for Small Business Owners, becoming an Amazon #1 best-selling author. However, he did not keep that talent to himself. He went on to help multiple small business owners establish themselves as experts through authorship. His best tip is to show up as yourself and impact people. They want the authentic you! Tune in!

When Sandy Kirkham went to church at age eight, she fell in love with it. But at age sixteen, this innocent bright-eyed child would face the unthinkable. In the "safest place on earth, " she would encounter a wolf in sheep's clothing who would abuse her sexually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Even though he was a known predator, the church elders would force her to leave while this wolf continued to serve in a different congregation. Over twenty years later, she spoke up, and now, she has given voice to her story through her book, Let Me Prey Upon You, bringing hope, healing, and empowerment to help you overcome.

sexualabuse #rape #clergy #church #hope #healing #overcome #TheCWSpod #christianpodcast

Are you wearing the mask? Jocelyn Jones, the author of Breaking the Power of the Mask, shares her story about developing and protecting a persona that did not serve her. The pressure of perfection led her everyday life until she walked away and did the deep work necessary to overcome and become vulnerable in a way that God could fully use her. However, perfectionism is not the only avenue in which a mask can develop. Through the discussion, we reveal how the disadvantage and even the church can create masks, avoiding the deeper issues that propel us in directions not aligned with our purposes. Tune in.

When does a boy become a man? Is it when the world tells him? Is it when he becomes a husband, or is it when he becomes a father? According to Steven Arms, a boy should receive his rite of passage to manhood from his father, as he did from his. However, with so many broken homes, many seek societal or environmental standards to define their manhood. His father's fatherless experience influenced the development of the rite of passage in their book Milestone to Manhood. No matter their circumstances, any boy can properly experience their rite of passage to manhood. You are invited to learn how through this interview. When a boy has a stronger sense of identity, it leads to stronger families, communities, and churches. Join us.

Did you know that approximately fifty-five percent of married Christian men have admitted to watching porn regularly? Unfortunately, it is the hidden epidemic many churches choose not to address. Our inability to sit in uncomfortable feelings, shame, and its addictive nature further drive this epidemic's reach into the Christian household. Shockingly, it does not start in adulthood. The average age of first exposure is eleven. It's time for the church to wake up and be at the forefront of this battle to protect our children, marriages, and families. Learn how in this interview with Isaiah Cruz.

Broken internally by trauma and faced with a mental health diagnosis, Lyn Barrett epitomizes how we can exhibit strength in God through our weaknesses. Lyn grew up as an atheist under the guidance of her parents. However, as she faced an ugly divorce and was later diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, now known as dissociative identity disorder (DID), it opened the pathway to her learning about God. In this episode, we talk about how she faced her diagnosis, God changed her life amid the chaos, and she uses her "weakness" to change other people's lives.

*Trigger warning. This episode contains details about a sexual assault. If you have had an experience regarding sexual assault, this episode may cause you to experience emotional overwhelm. Please proceed with caution. On the verge of suicide, former police officer Greta McClain felt helpless after her sexual assault. However, near her end, she discovered the Me Too Movement, and by the grace of God, she found her way back to hope one day at a time. Now, she is helping others to discover the hope she has experienced. Tune in to hear her story and share in her triumph.

Are you a professional overthinker? Is your life seemingly in constant chaos? Maybe, you need a life edit. Life Coach Tabatha Perry helps people make small edits to life to create the life they desire. She wants you to stop comparing yourself with others, know what to prioritize, and unclutter your mind. So, join us for this episode to receive tips on editing your life in small ways to receive what you truly desire.

*Trigger Warning. This episode contains a brief graphic description of someone experiencing a traumatic death. Listening can possibly trigger an extreme emotional response. If you have had an experience involving a traumatic death, please proceed with caution in listening to this episode. A family vacation turned tragic would be the summation some news outlets provide for the listeners. However, we would summarize it as a tragedy turned into a beautiful mission to help others walk victoriously through grief and find hope. Listen to Kim Peacock's story now.

Christian #podcast #theCWSpod #deathofachild #victoriousheart

Spiritual warfare? Can you recognize when it is happening? Do you know how to prepare for it? What should you do amid the battle? In this episode, meet Mrs. Rawls, who shares the answers to these questions. As Christians, we will face spiritual warfare because the enemy does not want us to fulfill our call and purpose, but we have an opportunity to prepare for the fight and triumph in the battle. If you are ready for triumph, listen to this episode.

Everyone she knew as a church friend turned her away, even her church's senior elder. Fleeing from her abusive husband, who had determined to kill her, the only one who would take in her and her baby is the woman she and her "holier than thou" friends had ridiculed. Safe but shattered, it was the start of a journey that would lead to spiritual breaking. She connected to God, learned humility, and for the first time, she encountered God's love through the tears of another. *Trigger Warning: The story's recounting may lead to emotional overwhelm if you have encountered domestic abuse.

Trigger Warning In this episode, we discuss predatory practices. The discussion may trigger an individual who has been a victim of past predatory behavior. Saving our children goes beyond telling them about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Literally, saving our children could be the difference between them holding to their Christian faith and walking away. In this interview, we host Human Trafficking Educator Charity Parenzini. We answer how you can protect children from predatory behavior, the triple threat to watch for, how the church can help take up the mantle of protection, and preventing future predators.

At first, Carolina Duarte questioned what God was saying to her, but she had heard Him clearly. Thus, she took a leap of faith and followed the path before her. She started writing, and God developed these messages of love and peace. Carolina wants people to know that they are loved no matter what they hear from the world. Tune in to hear her story of faith and how she affects people with her message.

A rising star, Ashton Martin exhibits the fortitude needed in today's modern culture because he understands that change must happen on the inside to reflect on the outside. That is precisely what he chose to do to be a positive influence in the hip-hop industry and among the youth. In this interview, he shares his story of how he changed and how he hopes to influence through his brand. Awaken. Motivate. Educate.

Karen Gray is an Executive Business Coach & Brand Consultant helping high-profile leaders scale up or off the corporate ladder to create a life they don't need to escape from. Many times, those who function in executive positions choose not to be whom they desire, and instead, encapsulate those desires in whom they are expected to be. However, Karen helps them tap into their faith, engaging in whom God calls them to be.

Author, speaker, podcast creator, and educator Yvette Walker says joy is a personal choice. No, we will not experience happiness all the time, but God will be with us as a part of our faith walk. To experience joy daily, we must abide in God's love and do His will. How? Well, that is what she shares in this interview. Join us because you can find joy in the everyday aspects of life.

Does God care more about boys than girls? This is the question Lauren's then seven-year-old daughter raised. Not long after, Lauren Nelson would delve into the bible to discover the sheroes that existed and, in return, change the lives of her seven-year-old and many other girls who would find that girls certainly mattered to God. Join us for this interview as she unfolds her story and shares the impact her book, Sheroes of the Bible, has made.

Throughout our youth, we have heard phrases such as the following. Do all the right things, and you will have success. How about the following? As you climb the corporate ladder and make more money, you will find happiness. However, what if you are dying on the inside because who you are is not aligning with what God wants for you? That is part of Debby Kruszewski's story. Yet, when she listened to God and aligned her life with his call, she walked into an amazing new venture and became a dream pollinator. Learn more about her story by listening to this episode.

According to Dr. Emily Kirkwold, many women feel stuck taking medicine, but it was not until her personal family planning experience that she discovered that other options exist. In this episode, she shares her story of facing delayed fertility concerning her second pregnancy, which prompted her to explore options outside traditional medicine. Now, she is sharing what women can do naturally in family planning and encourages them to be thankful and embrace the bodies God gave us as women.

Are you grieving? What if you can rewrite the one you lost back into your life? This is what Sonya Mack chose to do. Sonya Mack is the CEO of Live Joy Life. After her mom passed, God told her that a purpose would come forth from her pain, and it did. She learned that death does not have the final say, and now, she is sharing her story with others to show them how they can find purpose in pain, no matter the cause. Tune in.

She is an international best-selling author of eighteen books, a speaker, a writing coach, and a course creator who is pushing past her disabilities to author an exceptional life. At a young age, Tracee Garner was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but her parents instilled the importance of looking beyond the disability to embrace her abilities. She carried this lesson into adulthood, which ultimately led her to her current career path. She exemplifies what it is to live life on purpose and helps others do the same through her books, speaking, humor, and can-do attitude. Tune in.

When you're continuously facing circumstances of uncertainty, Roman Prokopchuk certainly has the prescription to handle it. From fleeing his home country of Ukraine at a young age due to religious persecution to suffering devastating job loss and more, his faith has been key to surviving it all. All of the uncertainty and demonstration of faith in response to the uncertainty helped create who he is today. In turn, he and his wife strive to provide certainty for youth who are facing devastating circumstances of their own by providing a safe home through foster care. Tune in.

You matter, and how you show up for people matters because your actions can unknowingly help save someone's life. You are the turnaround for whom someone has waited. In this episode, international best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and CEO Nicky Billou shares how his demonstrated Christian beliefs changed the life of a family. Yes, he preaches about believing in the win before you win and that God is on your side, but how he thinks and interacts with people started with his father who instilled Christian principles and demonstrated them in his life. Tune in now.

By the time she was diagnosed with dyslexia, the damage to her self-esteem was done. Yet, she still had a yearning to deeply connect with others and help them. As she prayed, God opened the opportunity for her to return to school and obtain her degree in counseling. She became a licensed therapist and eventually rounded it out with a certification as a life coach. Now, she helps women live joy-filled life by encouraging them to allow God access to all aspects of their identity, so they can experience the small wins He gives to us daily.

Creativity lives in all of us according to Jonathan Cottrell. However, at first glance, it seems this author, entrepreneur, and serial starter challenges us to do nothing, yet a deeper look into his book, Do Nothing: The Simple Principles of Jesus to Accomplish Anything, takes us on a journey to explore what it is to truly do nothing apart from the vine. Further, he challenges us to expand our focus beyond what God can do through us to what He is doing in us as we dwell in Him. Tune into this episode to hear more.

Do you seek to understand more than you desire to be understood? This episode features author, pastor, and Anti-oppression consultant Sandhya Jha whom you may find in the pulpit or on the picket line. At a young age, she experienced the love Jesus has for the foreigner through the actions of her pastor. An unforgettable moment allowed her to know she mattered as much as others Despite being in a religiously diverse household and not looking like others in her community. Today, that Christian act is reflective of everything she does and how she is changing the world.

From a homeless drug addict to a best-selling author and thriving entrepreneur, Adam Gunton epitomizes what happens when we surrender to God and allow Him to set us free. Unhealthy habits, emotional trauma due to a friend's suicide, and the weight of the guilt led to Adam's life spiraling completely out of control. Countless times, he tried to clean his life up by "doing all the right things". However, it was not until his complete surrender to God that life changed. He stopped trying to do it and allowed God to do it. Now, he coaches others to experience the freedom he lives daily.

One day, Melanie Gall found herself not wanting to get out of bed. Her life was not what she had imagined, and her constant concern for her child's medical condition left her in a spiraling tunnel. It was not until a friend shared that every aspect of her life affected the other that she took a hard look at her life and started making changes. As she made changes, she felt better, realizing that God had indeed made us intricate creatures. Today, she shares her story with others and guides them as a life and soul coach, desiring that all feel less alone in the world.

Comedian, author, and speaker Kelly Bandas has some pretty funny things to say about life, but really, she is sharing that we all need a little grace. She expresses that through our mistakes we see our imperfections as well as our need for God. Sharing about a mistake she once made, she talks about embracing the responsibility and learning, but ultimately, she hopes her works will help lift other people as they seek to recover from their failures. You can learn even more from her book Rookie Mistakes: A Grown-Up's Field Guide for Getting Your Act Together.

Author Dwight Heck wants people to know that life success is not about just having enough money, but also it is learning what you truly want and taking ownership of those desires. In this episode, he talks about how his life was flipped upside down, and his errant choice to live a façade that led to quiet desperation. But through it all, he maintained his faith, eventually letting go of the facade, remembered what he had done for others, implementing it for himself, and overcame his situation. He shares that what happened to him can happen to anyone and warns people to not ignore the signs.

Are you tired of utilizing pushy sales pitches? Do you truly desire to meet people's needs? Meet Deb Brown Maher, author and relationship catalyst. She encourages people to sell like Jesus by helping entrepreneurs change their sales approach, shifting their perspective of sales from convincing a prospect to buy to being of service to them. Her combination of coaching, creative listening, and supportive guidance ultimately enables her clients to gain an increase in sales and business growth success. She especially wants Christians to know that they bring something extra to the marketplace.

She has helped give voice to our military leaders, prayed for our nation's teens, and stood on the TEDx stage to share about the power of human-to-human connection. Cassandra Smith is giving voice to generations, and it all started with her love for books as a child. She says that stories connect us, and as we share our stories, we can see how God is interwoven throughout it all. Her specialty is helping others launch their message to focus on what matters. Tune in to hear her story.

Imagine bringing the bible to life by walking in the steps of an apostle. That is the journey John Christopher Frame is on. Currently living in Turkey, he is on a journey to walk in the steps of the Apostle Paul according to the book of Acts. A couple of the places he has already visited include Ephesus and Troas. Eventually, he will share his entire journey in an upcoming devotional. His goal in sharing his journey is that people will grow closer to God.

It is a story we often hear, a story Cassandra Crawley Mayo lived. This former global fortune 500 vice-president was a workaholic, neglecting her needs, self-sabotaging, experiencing imposter syndrome, and burning out all to prove she belonged. God had given her the opportunities, but she treated life outside of work like it was inopportune. However, she realized that she did not want to have regret at the end of her life. So, she has taken action to not only live life but started a mission to help over one hundred professional women live their best life at work and outside of work. Listen to her story.

In this episode, inspirational speaker, trainer, and coach Andrew Calderella expresses his views about how Christians can live their best lives and significantly impact the world. Through his studies, he has determined a set of laws he feels all can live by and help in the journey to unite us as a peaceful world. He wants Christians to avoid being sheep, think, and use their moral consciousness. *Disclaimer: All views shared in this interview are not shared by CWS (Christian Writing & Speaking), and as the audience listens, they should allow the Holy Spirit to guide them.

Kyle Gillette is on a mission to help thousands of business owners shift their mindsets and habits, so God can transform their hearts. This Mindset Coach challenges his clients to be a people-first type of leader, and his forthcoming book, SAGE Leadership: A 4-Part Framework for Becoming a People First Leader, shares exactly how. Along with prayer with and for his clients, he is seeing how these leaders are building firm foundations through self-awareness, accountability, growth, and empowerment.

As she recovered from a near-fatal car crash, God allowed her to start recovering from a different trauma. Years before, she had been groomed into an inappropriate relationship with a teacher. The aftermath was one that no sixteen-year-old could have imagined. Feeling alone and abandoned, questioning her worth, she delved into "Christian works" to show her worthiness to God, to show that she was worth loving and doing his works. However, during her recovery, God reminded her that she was always loved and He could always use her for His work. Listen to Angie's story.

How can technology and the church continue to advance the message of the kingdom together? Brandon Leibowitz's solution Is search engine optimization. When a person uses Google to search for a church near them, will your church pop up on the first page? If not, start following Brandon's tips for how you can optimize your church's website and connect with more people in your area, which can eventually lead to increased membership.

Do we have the power to unlock the golden handcuffs holding us back from whom we want to be in life? Scott Maderer's message is that we do. Everyone has time, talent, and treasures, but how we allocate these will determine whether we can fulfill our why and reach our goals. Oftentimes, we may feel that the lack of time, talent, and treasures are the restricting factors, but have we asked whether it is a "you" problem i.e. how we steward what we have? Scott has issued the challenge to take a closer look and learn how you can live the life you truly want. Tune in to learn more.

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains the retelling of traumatic events. While we feel all episodes are helpful, we encourage those who have suffered previous trauma to proceed with caution in listening.

Complex traumatic history is how Teri Wellbrock's past has been defined, but she is redefining her history by helping others tunnel through the darkness toward light. Because through it all, God was saying to her you got this kid. As a result, she is living healing and hope. Her message is that you can too. The same thing that God did for her, He can do for you. You got this.

If you are doing all the "right things" as a Christian but you still find yourself overwhelmed and without peace, you are missing the "peace" that only an intimate relationship with God can provide. This was Kristin Chadwick's experience. When she attended a retreat, she realized that she was not fully engaging God in her life. The retreat leaders invited her to go deeper, so she could connect. However, they did it unexpectedly-- through her imagination. Since her experience, she has taken up the banner to help others do the same, sharing visions of how to encounter God daily.

If you're feeling a little crazy with life, have you slowed down and asked if you've invited God in to do life with you? El Edwards shares how often we forget that God wants to be an intricate part of our daily lives. Like she previously thought, we may think of God as untouchable, but He's not. When we invite God to be a part of our life interactions, we start becoming who God intended us to be, shirking off the expectations of society and embracing an intentional and expectant relationship with Him to reveal our greater selves. Tune in now to hear more.

Who wants more confidence? If you raised your hand, you are like most who want to have the assurance of whom they are as a person and their purpose. More confidence is exactly what Rich Lewis received as he centered himself through prayer. When he began his journey of centering prayer, he found it quite difficult. However, through consistent practice, he expanded his ability to sit in silence. As a result, he heard from God, gained more confidence, and discovered whom God meant for him to be. He says it is important to discover your future self, so you can impact the world.

Most know him for his role as officer Randy Goode on the hit TV show In The Heat of the Night, but Randall Franks is very clear about how he was able to become a part of one of the most popular shows on TV at that time. He said his opportunities have been God-given. Exercising humility, no matter how small the role or task, has allowed him to continue his greatest purpose, being a servant of God and reflecting that in his daily life. He reminds us that God has something for everyone to do. Every call is a chance to share whose you are. Tune into this episode to hear more.

Francie Hinrichsen had one plan, but God had another. When she released control and asked God what was next, she experienced a satisfaction only God could provide with her work. What she once wanted morphed into a business where she helps other women become successful entrepreneurs, giving them the ability to build their business around their life versus building life around their business.

One question changed the trajectory of Jonathan McLernon's life. In answering this question, he realized he was not taking care of himself due to his view of humility. Overwhelmed by trauma, he found himself repeatedly submitting to unhealthy eating habits and experienced extreme weight gain. However, once he learned why he chose his unhealthy behavior and showed himself compassion, he lost well over one hundred pounds, and now, he is helping others do the same, marrying science and behavior change to create lifelong transformations. He says that we often ask God to move the obstacles, but it is more important to ask God to guide us through the obstacles.

Laid off from his job, preparing for the birth of a new baby, and wondering how he would feed his family, Paul Henderson rekindled his greater purpose through one of the most uncertain times of his life. Amid the turmoil, he felt the call to write a book titled Slave No More: Conquering the Master Within, influenced by his story as well as the stories of others who faced adversity and chose to overcome it. Now, his goal is to help other people, especially dads, place their past in the past and triumph into a brighter future, learning, growing, and getting better one day at a time.

In a world filled with turmoil, one man's purposeful ventures are changing lives. Meet Joe Rockey, a real entrepreneur, who aims to bring peace to people's lives through real estate acquisitions and sales while anchoring his life on the biblical virtues. He took his virtuous ventures a step further when he co-founded the podcast Father and Joe recognizing his ability to help bring unity from a Christian perspective versus the division he saw some media sources push. Tune in now to learn how.

Fallen from grace is a phrase that seems so common among today's leaders, but what are we doing to help prevent the fall? Brian Kreeger bravely shares his story of falling from grace as a once pedestaled leader. Though he accepts full responsibility for his actions, questions arise as to leaders' abilities to cope and seek proper counsel. Now, he is using his fall as a teaching tool for others to avoid the same mistakes and to help those who have faced the hardship of a fall overcome.

When Robert Bass had to learn to walk again, God provided more than recovery. Desiring to overcome the pitfalls of depression, Robert knew he had to go beyond what he could give himself. Purposefully, he poured out to God, and in the process, God poured into him. Through his journey, God shared the importance of having hope and joy. Consequently, he was able to overcome spiritually and mentally. After this hardship, he continued to apply what he learned to other life circumstances. Now, he is helping others do the same knowing joy and hope is for all.

We all know what love is, right? But what if God places us in extremely uncomfortable situations for us to experience it fully. This is Kim Sorelle's story. As she decided to explore love based on 1 Corinthians 13, she was thrust into the streets of Haiti through her organizational work. Her mission to explore love collided with her mission to help the people of Haiti and created the perfect circumstances for discovering what love is.

This single mother of eight was exhausted. Her to-do list and rest always competed, especially after she decided to return to college and finish her degree. However, one night, she exhale and gave her to-do list over to God, giving herself the freedom to be guided by Him. To her surprise, she started completing her list and even had time to check on others. She said her to-do list was her life, and if she wanted God to have control over her life, she needed to trust that he would guide her to-do list. Since then, she has written multiple books about her experience and helped others.

At seven years old, Sara Im heard a story about how God saved a man's family. From the story, she believed there was a God. Over Fourteen years later, she would call on the God she had learned about at age seven. When she was twenty-one years old, an invasion occurred in her small Cambodian village. Having felt secure and afforded opportunities beyond what her parents had experienced, she was looking forward to life ahead. However, the invasion changed the trajectory of her life. Now, she speaks about her hardship during the invasion and her eventual escape.

What does our clutter say about us? Angie Hyche, author of Unholy Mess: What the Bible Says about Clutter, deep dives into what clutter means in our lives and its long-term effects. Further, she challenges us to look beyond the physical clutter to the clutter of our hearts and minds by sharing her story of what it meant for her to start uncluttering her life, experiencing greater freedom, and being a better steward of what God had given her.

Oftentimes, we hear the horror stories of working with youth in the church, especially concerning those youth in middle school or high school. However, for Julia Strukely, it is a special calling to work with this age group. Growing up, it was through youth ministry that she started developing her personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As she works with the youth today, she makes it a goal to fill in the question gaps she had as a youth. When teaching, she answers both the questions of what we should do and why we should do it.

Pain, rejection, shame, and turmoil may have been emotions that Amy Scruggs experienced, but they are not the words that describe the amazing life God has given her through His grace. Faced with a devastating assault and a terrifying decision, her life after high school had a rocky start. However, she trusted God’s plan. Through it all, He blessed her in unimaginable ways. As a result, she grew into the person she was meant to be, and now, this TV host, media coach, recording artist, and best-selling author’s life is a testament to what God can do for us through His grace. Trigger warning

One of the biggest myths heard in the Christian world is that it is wrong to build wealth, but Leo Marte contends that a wise person leaves an inheritance for their children. "Wealth and wisdom are deeply tied together," he says. Thus, when God called him to start his business Abundant Advisors, he embraced the call to help Christians concerning their wealth. Since his company's inception, he has been known as the personal CFO for Christian professionals. He asks, "To what end are you building wealth?" In other words, how will you bring value with your wealth? Tune in now to hear what he has to say about you and your wealth.

At nineteen years old, Barbara Culver had one specific request from God. She wanted to see a change in her husband. God promised her that if she would allow Him to change her that He would allow her to watch the change in her husband. She committed to God's request, and over fifty years later, she is a testimony of what happens when you live His story for your life. She has been elevated to positions she never thought she would hold and influenced numerous lives, and she is not done yet. As long as she has breath, she will continue to allow God to use her. Tune in now to listen.

We are constantly bombarded with messages about how to be healthy, but why does it matter, especially with people of the Christian faith? Amy Connell shares the importance of getting over the cultural expectations of body image and embracing why God wants you to experience health in your body. Once her perspective changed to one of grace concerning her body, she was able to let go of the idol that health had become in her life and now helps others focus on the most important aspect of our health which is having the ability to fulfill our call. Click now to hear her story.

After her counselor listened to her sob story, she expected her to hand her a kleenex, pat her on the back, and engage with her feelings of defeat. Instead, the counselor looked at her and said, "Megan, you know that motherhood is not your highest calling." Blinded-sided by the counselor's response, Megan Nilsen could not initially understand what the counselor meant because motherhood was all she was doing. Then, the counselor went on to explain that her truest and highest calling is as a child of God and that she needed to anchor her identity there first.

Sue Corl's life was riddled with hardship from birth. Born with a severe cleft palate, no nose, upper lip, or upper palate, along with severe breathing issues, her concept of beauty was shaped by hurtful words. For most of her younger life into young adulthood, she felt unwanted and unloved. However, an invitation from her brother to do mission work set her on a path of healing. Now, she travels the world sharing with other women how they are loved by God, introducing them to salvation. Her most poignant work is done through her organization Crown of Beauty International.

Often, we strive to work out this physical body, but are we working out our spirituality? Michael Ward has developed the sixth sola method to work out his spirituality, to personally experience God through the scriptures on a daily basis. His journey started with meeting someone who had a life-changing experience with God. Upon meeting this individual, he unequivocally knew that what he learned as a child was real. The daily work he does in the scriptures results in a confident transformation leading him to fulfill his calling in service through a mindset of Spiritu Ambulatio.

When Michael Jaquith heeded God's call to leave his corporate job to become an entrepreneur, he unlocked the next level of his life. Although he grew up in an abusive home, he felt he had overcome the turmoil of his past until he felt he was looking at his father in himself. He was determined not to repeat those behaviors. God heard his plea. Counseling and eventually life coaching allowed him to visualize the man he wanted to become. He took action to better himself. Then, God issued the challenge for him to help others do the same. Now, he is the Catholic Life Coach for men.

After his parents' divorce, Erik Allen's life went into a tailspin. His household became a place where abuse regularly occurred. He was rejected and lacked care. During this time, he became involved in drugs, alcohol, and an overall unhealthy lifestyle. Then, one day he received an invitation to attend a church-sponsored college event where the seed of salvation was planted. Eventually, he accepted Jesus as Savior. Now, he is determined to help others overcome as God helped him overcome.

His heart was racing. He needed to make a choice. Alex Demczak worked in the corporate world; however, speaking on stage was his dream job. Yet, he had relegated this dream job to a side hustle. Faced with the reality that he could not do it all, he prayed, asking God what he was calling him to do. Within months, he left the corporate world, fully embracing his dream job, and today, he is not only a speaker but also an entrepreneur and a best-selling author.

Have you ever thought about whether the obscure people and animals of the Bible matter? Kevin Horath is showing people that they do. In his Factor Book series, he delves into the lives of those who have uniquely served in God's plan and what lessons we can learn from them. For example, what does the donkey have to do with our lives and learning how to live a life used by God? Kevin tells us, so tune in.

Stephanie Jordan entered marriage without understanding healthy boundaries. In her second marriage, she was forced to take a look at herself and how she contributed to the ongoing boundary violations that occurred in her life. Once she understood her role, she set the necessary boundaries and moved to a more fulfilled life.

No child should grow up feeling unloved, but that was how Danielle Bernock felt. It was only God's relentless pursuit of her that led her to know what it felt like to be loved, wholly and freely. God started filling the broken places with His love, sharing with her how he was there when others perpetuated lies in her life. Now, she is helping others understand that He is there for them also. Join us for this compelling interview.

Have you found yourself feeling like you need something more? Are you frustrated because life keeps falling apart? Have you accomplished everything you wanted and have asked what now? If so, you may be experiencing a God shift. Shayna Rattler defines God shifting and why it is important to ask, "God what are you asking me to become?" Shayna says, "Embrace disruption. Collide with God's purpose. Confidently enter your next chapter."

After she left the warm folds of Mississippi, Dea Irby quickly discovered that she needed to recreate the southern hospitality that was normal for her and her family. Eventually, she received a "download" from the Lord and started introducing people to the concept of C.L.A.I.M. Her introduction of C.L.A.I.M to the world has led her to change the lives of families, churches, communities, and businesses globally.

When Joshua Marcengill went to the park that day, it was an ordinary day for him. That is until the encounter occurred. In broad daylight, he had a vision, unlike anything he had ever experienced in his life. From that moment, his life completely changed. Now, he is sharing what God did for his once agnostic soul, so others can experience an abundant encounter as he did.

After witnessing confident professionals and entrepreneurs struggle to connect with their audiences, Laura Templeton searched for a solution. When she could not find what she wanted, she developed the 30 Second Success formula. In her interview, she shares the origin story, how it benefits people, and why it is important for Christian business owners to have the ability to confidently communicate how they serve.

Genesis Amaris Kemp's story is like many African-Americans who work in corporate America, and as a release, she wrote about her experiences. Eventually, they became the foundation for her book, Chocolate Drop in Corporate America. At the same time, the Black Lives Matter movement exploded. To counteract racism within their walls, her then-employer held a meeting. When they asked Genesis about her experiences, she remembered the boldness God had given her to speak. Her boldness revamped her position within the company, which was a stepping stone to greater.

He did not hit her with his fist, but he constantly hit her with his words, controlled her, and emotionally and mentally manipulated her. She was not an abuse victim, right? That is what she thought until she phoned a friend. That day, her friend's words helped save a woman who was dying on the inside, and she got out. Now, Diana Winkler, the ex-wife of a minister, is helping other women do the same. Listen to her story.

Are you a catalytic leader, or do you feel stuck, unsure where to go next? Dr. William Attaway defines what it is to be a catalytic leader and how catalytic leaders influence those they lead. Further, he shares the need for leadership coaches within the church and how the right coach can help a person expand their vision. He says that we cannot see what we cannot see. Thus, we should examine our leadership style and its effect.

Giving God the glory is not reserved for worship service only. We have the opportunity to do so in every aspect of our lives. Kevin shares how it all began for him, his grandmother's influence, and how he hopes to influence others today. His desire is for people to understand that they have a sphere of influence and that their choices impact lives. Reflection on an unexpected letter reminds him of how one person's actions can affect many.

When your worldly objectives can no longer fill your need for righteousness, what do you do? If you're Branch Isole, you take a "world tour" of your religious options. During his tour, Branch explored all the major religions. Ultimately, he concluded that Christianity was the way, but this time his perspective was different. Now, he knew why he had chosen his path, and he seeks to help others who may question their path.

If God challenged you to trust Him for the impossible, could you do it? Could you pursue something knowing you did not have the means to obtain it? Could you lose your job, not pursue another, but trust God for every financial provision you need? If you said yes, some would label your submission as crazy steps of faith; however, Paul Granger calls them invitations to know God better.

Can I survive this marriage? What do I do? Do I stay, or do I leave? What am I supposed to do as a Christian? Will we be okay? If you live with a spouse who faces mental health challenges, addiction issues, or other issues that impede their ability to function at a healthy level in the marriage, you may have asked these questions. Christian Bohlen shares his story and how you can experience hope amid your stormy marriage.

What if you're wrong? That is the question Wendy Cunningham had to answer for herself. Growing up as a generational atheist, she found herself facing questions concerning her beliefs or lack thereof, but a simple invitation led her on a journey where she came face to face with the truth that God existed and Jesus is real. Now, she shares her story and poses the same question to others. What if you're wrong?

One step at a time is how Tess Scott has chosen to live her life. After living a life full of mistakes, she understands the grace God extends toward those who have had to return to him repeatedly. Calling herself a former black sheep, discouraged, but redeemed because God was faithful to her when she was not, she now helps others wade through their "freakshow of a life" because she knows there is hope.

When we look to doctors, we expect them to lead us in our healing journeys. However, what if our doctor needs healing, specifically spiritual healing? What if the doctor's healing journey leads them to provide a better healing journey for you? That is the story of Dr. Donna Chacko. Her surrender to God led to the healing of her soul and the discovery of how the body, mind, and soul work together to affect our health.

What is your relationship with alcohol? Many people would not pause to consider this question unless faced with dire consequences. You are not an alcoholic, but it is your habit to have a little glass of relaxation or a shot of entertainment. Instead, you may be a grey drinker. Carrie Schell shares her story of how she discovered that she was grey drinking, how she is now helping others, and what our faith has to do with it all.

Playing the piano after work was routine. But one day, Dave Combs played what would become known as "Rachel's Song". At the suggestion of his wife, he recorded this song. Thousands responded, and since then, millions of lives have been touched. Eventually, he resigned from his job and embraced what God had given to him. Listen to his story, and in the process, you will find encouragement to share your gifts too.

From domestic abuse to dealing with the death of her young son, Christy Johnson found herself broken, but God extended an invitation to heal and forgive. Moving from bitterness to loving herself and forgiving the one who hurt her, she shares how other women can overcome as she did. A powerhouse for the Lord, she knows that all she has experienced has allowed her to advance the gospel through her story.

The current literacy level among U.S. citizens is astoundingly deficient. More than half of the population read below an eighth-grade level. But what does literacy have to do with Christianity? Tim Bauer shares his insights on how he and many others are changing the dynamics of this statistic through a bible literacy program, giving hope and the Word of God simultaneously.

Faced with the devastating decision of whether he should allow doctors to try to save his wife's life, Tim did what he only knew to do. He commended her life to the Lord. Helpless as he looked at the tubes running through her head, he and his five children were facing the possibility that she would not survive the surgery. As a result, each said their goodbyes, but God reminded Tim that he would be with him through it all. Learn what happens next.

As he stood above his brother-in-law's casket, Tim Bauer was struck by the reality that he was not ready to meet the lord. He had been a part of the church once, but where was he headed with his defunct relationship with God? His brother-in-law was the same age as him, lived a healthy life, yet succumbed to death through illness. What was next? Full of conviction and unsettled by his thoughts, he knew he had to make a change.

In this episode, we are wrapping up our interview series with Author Darla Colinet. We have heard her story, shared her books, and talked about how some churches' perceptions have shaped people's ideologies about love and abusive marriages. We will close by focusing on what the true elements of Christ's Love are and how we can see them working in our lives, being perpetrators of love versus abuse.

In episode two of our three-part series with Darla Colinet, she shares how her books and courses are helping others overcome the cyclic nature of abusive marriages. Even if an individual is unable to escape the marriage, she describes how she has helped the abused create a safe space in their home. Knowing that we can still say no and set boundaries is the start of creating healthier relationships, but first, the abused must reform their mind about what is and is not appropriate in the relationship. One question an individual can ask themselves is whether they would allow the abusive actions toward Jesus because what is done to them is done to Him.

"Just marry a Christian, and you will both have a fine marriage." If you have heard this type of phrase and followed through on the advice, you may be one of the people who has been "burned by love". However, did you know your intended's definition of love, marriage, or even Christianity before committing? Not knowing can lead to an unhealthy relationship, and in some situations, create the breeding ground for marital abuse. Author Darla Colinet retraces her journey of how she was able to overcome her brokenness, escape the cycle of abusive marriages, and finally understand Christ's love and his intent for a loving relationship.

Understanding the intentionality of God shifts our perspectives as to how we operate in the workplace. Often, we go with the flow, but we have the power to make the flow go around us. Author Gary Selman challenges us to understand the power that we hold and the impact we can make as we arise and shine. All it takes is small steps.

In this episode, Author Gary Selman issues a challenge for us who call ourselves Christians. We are to arise and shine because people are waiting to see what God's people will do in this time. Like Esther, why God has elevated you may be for such a time as this. What will you do with your position? Are you a change agent?

Gary Selman relates his story to that of the redeemed prodigal son, sharing how he walked away from God as Lord of his life and his emotional return. Upon returning to what he had committed to as a child, he discovered that God had never abandoned him. If your life seems like it is falling apart and you don't understand why, listen to this story.

Are we learning the lessons from the past, or are we choosing to repeat the mistakes of our elders? Are we building bridges upon what they did right, or are we creating more division? In part three of our three-part series with Ugo Okpara, he shares his thoughts about how we should move forward as a Christian body and his hopes for the future of the Christian church.

In part two of our interview with Ugo Okpara, two questions arise that challenge us in our faith walk. Are your routines that of a champion? Are you rising up, activating your faith, to take your destiny? He says that it is time for us to build our own bridges to the future. Are you ready for this? Come explore this episode to hear more.

Are you living in the shadows of the old covenant or living in the light of the new covenant? Pastor and Author Ugo Okpara shares how God has given him the mandate to transform generations through biblical and spiritual intelligence, so they can discover their identity in Christ. Join us for part one of this three-part series.

Do we need self-help if we are Christians? What are we striving for when we are seeking self-help? Does self-improvement have its place? In our third and final interview with Author Darla Noble, we answer these questions, and ultimately, we determine you don't have to become because you are already.

In this episode, we continue our interview with Author Darla Noble exploring how faith and chocolate are alike, what we can learn from sheep, and how your zucchini evangelism can be too much, but a little is exactly right. Join us!

In this episode, we talk with author Darla Noble about how God starts with you right where you are in life. A librarian encouraged her love for books, and an English teacher nurtured her writing. Along with these seeds and an iconic meeting with author Judy Blume, the stage was set for whom she would become. Join us on the Christian Writing & Speaking podcast to hear her story.

Welcome to part three of our three-part series with author Lizzie Jayne. In part one we talked about the vision behind her book, The Gift. In part two, we explored the contents of the book and some of the struggles we face as we seek to live according to God's will. In the final episode of this series, we discuss the struggle to discover purpose, the expectations that people have of Christians, and the difficulties we may face as we continue to do the work of God. Plus, we receive a sneak-peek into Lizzie Jayne's next book release. Let's get into this episode.

Welcome to part two of our three-part series with author Lizzie Jayne. In part one, we spoke about the vision behind her book, The Gift. In this episode, we continue the conversation, exploring the contents of the book and discussing the challenges we face as we seek to live life utilizing the gift God has given to us. Let's get into the conversation.

Welcome to part one of our three-part series with author Lizzie Jayne. She is the author of The Gift, a Christian fantasy story about a little girl's journey to discovering an incredibly special light. In this episode, Lizzie Jayne shares the vision behind her book and the revelation that led her to write the story. Join us on the journey. Listen now and be inspired.

In this episode, I reflect on guests' stories that had the most impact in 2021. Forgiveness, spiritual protection, battling to keep your confidence, and overcoming despite the setbacks in your life are only some of the themes I had an opportunity to encounter this year. These episodes brought healing and reminded us of the importance of keeping hope alive. Take a moment now to listen. How did these podcast episodes change your life?

In October, I interviewed Nina Borum, author of the book Confessions: Reflections on My Journey of Abstinence. The interview raised the question of whether space existed to talk about the challenges single Christian women face. In this episode, I continue that conversation by exploring her latest blog article, Single Gal Holiday Survival Tips. Are you thriving through the holidays or dreading what is to come? Join us in the conversation.

In this episode, I am venturing out to explore new ways to empower you. In this first venture, I address the need to open the space to talk about the path to successfully refrain until marriage. Nina Borum's book, Confessions: Reflections on My Journey of Abstinence, is real, raw, and pure, providing the perfect platform from which to start. Join us for this episode of CWS, weigh in, and share what more you desire from this podcast.

In this interview, Author Nina Borum speaks about discovering and living your identity in Christ. However, to do so, we must prioritize God in our lives. Living a multi-faceted life, we can find ourselves bombarded with the world's standards, but through spiritual discipline and outlook, we can live fulfilled in every area of our lives.

We dedicate this episode of CWS to all medical workers, especially those who go beyond their duties to bring joy to those they serve. In this episode of CWS, we interview Geri Grooms Boyd, who is a career nurse and paramedic. While her primary job involves medical care for the elderly, her other passion is blessing people through writing and music. What started as a simple desire to minister to women in prison has now expanded to encase the youth of her community, those on her job, and her church family. Healing comes in many forms, and Geri has no problem doling out physical and spiritual healing to enlighten lives.

Is it enough to know your purpose, or does strategy play a role in its success? What if you are still searching for your purpose? Has it been with you all along, and if so, how do you release it?

In this special episode of CWS, we sit down with three of the special guest speakers for the upcoming summit Level Up ^ Launch into Your Purpose. Glenn Hunter is an author, entrepreneur, and business educator. Shaterial Starnes is a financial coach, the owner of the Starnes Group, and one-half of Hustle to Business University. Masheka Turner is a real estate investor, owner of BrightSkies Business Services, and the other half of Hustle to Business University. Each shares their insight about discovering your purpose and how the right strategies can lead to success.

In this powerful interview with Michelle Winfield Fuqua, she shares how the seeds of negativity sown into your life can become the obstacles keeping you from being who God has called you to be in this life. However, you must remember that God has a purpose and a plan specifically for you. It's time to push out those seeds of negativity, embrace your call, and step into the space that God has prepared for you. As you are obedient, your confidence will grow. Listen to her interview today and be empowered.

Tom Blubaugh's mission is to help Christians who have received the call to write. As he empowers them through his authors' community, he imagines all the lives that they will change with their works, fulfilling the mission God has called them to execute. In turn, those affected lives will go out and empower more. It only takes one to affect the one who will influence the lives of millions.

You are made for greatness. You can't go back to what you used to be. Healing and surrender will open the door once your mind shifts because God wants glory for your story. Bound for a life of criminality but delivered for the glory of God, Reginald Foreman shares how God changed his life to bring hope to others. Learn how that can be your story too.

Are you using what God gave you? Are you telling your story through your works? Are you multiplying upon your gifts, talents, and abilities? These are the challenges Linda Kuriloff raised throughout her interview. If you have it, God wants you to use it, and then, you will have a much better appreciation of what you have when you see how your talent, gift, or ability blossoms in other people’s lives. Click now to listen.

Do you feel overwhelmed by all that is "expected" of you? Do you want a moment to just breathe, for someone else to pick up the load that feels so heavy? In this interview, Claire shares how she felt the same. However, when God started knocking down walls and building a new foundation, she gained a new perspective on what she needed and what God expected of her versus what people expected of her. Listen to her story and how you can overcome too.

When Kim said yes to God, that's when her life became uncomfortable, but it became uncomfortable in a positive way. As God changed her life through a variety of difficult circumstances, He opened her eyes to the bright spots in her life, sealing her purpose to help others find theirs. Now, she helps the multi-tasking mom (and many others) step closer to God and find their bright spots. In doing so, they become bright spots in the lives of others.

She needed an answered. An ongoing issue at her daughter's school forced her to think about what needed to happen next. However, when God called her to homeschool her child, she felt in no way ready for the challenge. Yet, as she trusted God, He equipped her, provided resources, used others to bless her, and grew her spiritually during the most challenging stages. In the end, it was all worth it to see her daughter's success. Now, she wants to help others as God so graciously helped her.

Her teacher’s words left a hole in her heart, and the hole became bigger as others reiterated that damaging message, stripping her layer by layer until she found the strength to say no more. The moment she found her strength, she started to glow, and as she glowed, God purposed her with helping others glow. Now, she helps others dig for the gold inside of them. Listen to Dr. Crystal Clay’s journey to triumph and how she is helping others find their triumphant moments.

Have you experienced the protecting power of Psalm 91? Can you testify to its power in your life? In our interview with Dee Price, she testifies to how her mother's insistence of her learning Psalms 23 and 91 became the protective shield she needed for her life, how she continues to use Psalm 91 as a shield in the life of her family, and how its protection came to fruition even in the lives of nonbelievers.

You've lived the "American Dream". You've had the job, the family, the house, and all that comes with it, but what happens when you lose it all? What inside of you will keep you going? What will fill the hole that declining health has revealed? Will you give up, or will you ask God to save you? That's the question Jeff Gamwell had to answer for himself. He shares his journey of how he lost it all, and how God revealed he had all he needed - Him and the purpose for his life.

In this episode, author and speaker Lindsay Morgan Snyder shares her journey of how she learned to let love in. After dealing with the heartbreak of dating life, Lindsay found herself calling out to God. When she called, God answered, and she started this wonderful journey of learning to love herself, truly putting into context the scripture of love thy neighbor as yourself.

What happens when you come face to face with one of the greatest tragedies of your life again? That's what happened with today's guest Elizabeth Cantu, who had to relive the tragic death of her seventeen-year-old sister because the one who caused her death moved in across the street. For eighteen months, she struggled, but God was working during that time. Though it was a struggle, she came to a place of peace, and God gave her something greater to give to the world as a result.

When we go through challenges in life, we never know where they will lead. However, we know that if we put it all in God's hand, our mess can become a message. Karina Hudson, five-time author and founder of Blended not Shaken Ministry shares her story of divorce, shame, abuse, and restoration to marital happiness and how she not only helped her children/step-child cope but also how she is helping others deal with the same.

Jacqui Wilson sits down with Sarah Wright, Author of Thriving through Seasons to talk about how she overcame the looming darkness by doing what she loved.

Billy and Yolanda Jackson are the authors of the book I Thee Wed: A Couple’s Journey to a Godly Marriage, and together, they run Live in Peace Ministries. Once living life in pieces, God placed them on one accord to create a beautiful mosaic, taking all the broken pieces and revealing the beauty of a Godly marriage. Now, their testimony of how God empowered them to be the couple they are today is breathing life into marriages everywhere.

I had the opportunity to interview a power couple in the ministry, whom I have had the privilege of knowing all of my life. As they have allowed God to reshape their lives, they have excelled in multiple areas of their lives. It’s never too late to start, and what you prepare today will help build the future for others.

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Ultimately, what we do is for others, so they can know who God is through our tests and trials. It’s all for His glory!

I had an opportunity to sit down with writer, author, and producer Nikki Miller to talk about her journey into the Christian film world and her project Change of Heart, which has become a multi-dimensional outreach for hope and change. Three statements of wisdom I gathered from our chat are as follows.

Your path to success starts early in life. Set yourself up for it.
The difference between you making it in life and not is God.
Your story is for someone else. Tell it.

In this interview with mindset and manifestation coach Dalila Conaway, author of the book Manifest: Walking in Faith & Favor and the producer of The Ultimate Dream Lifestyle Manifestation Toolkit and the Manifestation Mindset Masterclass, she shares how God took her from perpetual life disappointment to embrace the greater He desired for her. Manifestation is a process, and through the process, it is when we discover the greater God and the greater He wants to develop in us....

She is “The Hope Coach”, author of Unarmed but Dangerous, and the co-producer of the upcoming movie Eagle without Wings. I connected with her because we have similarities in that our mothers and grandmothers used their voices to empower us. Though she was born without certain limbs, her mother told her that there was nothing she could not do, and her grandmother told her at four years old that God had given her everything she needed to do the things she needed to do.