Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women: Recent Episodes
Elyse Fitzpatrick, Eric Schumacher
Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women is a Christian show that celebrates the value of women in the church, home, and society. Hosted by authors Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher, the discussions you’ll hear on Worthy will promote respectful conversation on the value and roles of women. Along with their interview guests, Elyse and Eric won’t agree on everything, but they do agree that God is glorious, the Bible is true, women are valuable, and respectful conversation is essential in our day.
In this very important and special podcast, we give a couple of updates about the future of the Worthy podcast.
If you would like to donate as a "thank you", feel free to do that here.
Colleen interviews Elyse about her latest book:
Friend of Sinners: Lent Devotions on Following the Crucified King (A 43 Day Lenten Devotional to Prepare for Easter | Includes Reflection Questions for Personal Use or Group Discussion)
Zach is the Lead Pastor and co-founder of Restore. Born and raised in Austin, he holds a Bachelors of Science in Communication, a Masters of Theology, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Duke Divinity School. Zach is also the author of the forthcoming book, Better Ways to Read the Bible, which is all about transforming the Bible from a weapon that condemns, oppresses, and excludes into a tool that liberates.
Zach is the co-founder and board member of the Post Evangelical Collective--a group of pastors, artists, and leaders committed to full inclusion, holistic justice, deep and wide formation, a gracious posture, and the Way of Jesus. He also serves on the boards of the Austin Church Planting Network and the Austin chapter of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network.
Rachael Clinton Chen, MDiv, is a formative voice in the movement toward healing from spiritual abuse. As a trauma care practitioner and pastoral leader, she weaves together theology, psychology, and story to accompany individuals and communities toward a kind of wholeness and resilient faith that tells the truth and pursues repair. She serves as a lead instructor for the Allender Center at The Seattle School and is co-host of the Allender Center Podcast with Dr. Dan Allender. Rachael is a stormborn woman of the Oklahoma plains and received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University. She holds a Master of Divinity from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and recently had the honor of being named by Sojourners as one of "9 Christian Women Shaping the Church in 2024."
Rachael is devoted to addressing the harm of abuse – especially spiritual abuse – at the intersection of trauma, healing, embodiment and spiritual formation. She leads the Story Workshop for Spiritual Abuse & Healing and recently developed the Allender Center's Spiritual Abuse & Healing Online Course, inviting survivors of spiritual abuse to journey together towards healing and reclamation.
Janyne McConnaughey, Ph.D., award winning author and trauma-informed advocate, lived with the effects of childhood sexual abuse from the time she was three years old until she entered therapy and began her healing journey at the age of sixty-one. Realizing healing was possible for survivors, she first authored three memoirs describing the effects of childhood trauma and the paths to healing. Her most recent publication is Trauma in the Pews: The Impact of Trauma on Faith and Spiritual Practices. Janyne's passion is encouraging other survivors of childhood trauma to seek healing. She is currently a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tabor College (Masters in Education: Neuroscience & Trauma) and has served for four years as Board Member for the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN), two as Board President. Janyne builds on her forty-year career in teaching, teacher education, and an expertise in early childhood development to help educators, caregivers, and church ministry workers understand and apply trauma-informed practices. Janyne, her husband Scott, and rescue dog Weber live south of Seattle and enjoy spending time with children and grandchildren.
Katie Douglass & Brittnay Tausen join us to talk about their book Love Your Neighbor: How Psychology Can Enliven Faith and Transform Community.
Inspired by deep compassion for others and informed from a Christian perspective, psychiatrist Curt Thompson shares fresh insights and practical applications for developing more authentic relationships and fully experiencing our deepest longing: to be known.
He's written several books, including:
Anatomy of the Soul
The Soul of Shame
The Deepest Place
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Adam Young is a trauma therapist and the host of The Place We Find Ourselves podcast. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with master's degrees in social work (Virginia Commonwealth University) and divinity (Emory University). Adam regularly speaks at conferences and currently serves as a fellow with The Allender Center. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with his wife and two children.
Natasha Smith is a grief advocate, speaker, and podcast host. She is the author of Can You Just Sit with Me? Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life. Her work has appeared in Guideposts, Propel Women, Influence magazine, her.BIBLE, and elsewhere. She and her husband, Clinton, have four children and live near Raleigh, North Carolina. You can find her online at imnatashasmith.com.
Faith Chang serves at Grace Christian Church of Staten Island, where her husband is a pastor. She is an editorial board member of the SOLA Network and co-hosts the Westminster Kids Digest Podcast at WTS Books. Her writing on theology, motherhood, ministry, and the Christian life has appeared on Westminster Kids, The SOLA Network, The Gospel Coalition, and The Lausanne Movement.
Faith addresses the struggle of Christian Perfectionism - and how God works with us as a "people in process." Through meditations on God's character, she helps women find peace by encountering the love and mercy offered to us through Christ.
"Peace over Perfection: Enjoying a good God when you feel you're never good enough"
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Trillia Newbell is the author of the kids' books Creative God, Colorful Us and God's Very Good Idea; a Bible study on Hebrews 11, A Great Cloud of Witnesses; and a Bible study on Romans 8, If God Is For Us, as well as the books Sacred Endurance: Finding Grace and Strength for a Lasting Faith; Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God's Good Gifts (2016); Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves (2015) and United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity (2014).
Her writings on issues of faith, family, and diversity have been published in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, and many other Christian outlets.
Trillia has spoken at numerous conferences, churches, women's retreats, colleges and seminaries. She spent seven years serving as the Director of Community Outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention.
She is currently an acquisitions editor for Moody Publishers.
Her latest book is Celebrating Around the Table: Learning the Stories of Black Christians through Readings, Fellowship, Food, and Faith, (Harvest House).
Jenn is an author, speaker, spiritual director, and coach. She loves coming alongside people to help them grow in their relationship with God through spiritual direction, coaching, and intentional story work in the context of a safe-enough community. She believes storywork to be an important component of our discipleship journey. She wrote the book Dim Sum and Faith: How our Stories Form our Souls.
Yana Jenay Conner, MDiv (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary), is a writer and Bible teacher. Her debut book is Living Beyond Offense: Doing the Hard Work of Forgiveness God's Way. She has served in full-time ministry for 15 years in both church and parachurch contexts and has contributed to Jude 3 Project's Through the Eyes of Color; Swing Low, Volume 2: An Anthology of Black Christianity in the United States; and the She Reads Truth Devotional. She is the host of the podcast Living Single with Yana Jenay and serves as the adult ministry director at Vertical Church in Hillsborough, NC.
Almost thirty years ago, she was given a two percent chance to be alive in ten years after a recurrence of breast cancer. To make matters worse, she went through a divorce and her career ended because she was too weak to work. Her first book, A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life after Loss, answers the big question that you and many people often struggle with after a difficult loss: "I've survived, but now what?" It turns out the process of beginning anew is a skill you can learn, but few have been taught. Through her signature program, ReBUILD, she has watched Christian women who are separated and divorced beautifully begin anew. Each new ReBUILD group is a reminder that God has a purpose for us, no matter what dirt we're planted in.
Jennifer Houston McNeel is a core faculty member at St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Her research and writing interests focus on the social world of the New Testament in general and women in the New Testament in particular. She is the author of Paul as Infant and Nursing Mother: Metaphor, Rhetoric, and Identity in 1 Thessalonians 2:5–8 and Under Her Wings: Mothers and Motherhood in the New Testament.
Her writing provides an analysis of the stories of mothers in the Gospels and Acts, mothers referred to in New Testament letters and Revelation, and metaphorical uses of motherhood through the New Testament. "Under Her Wings" draws together the motherhood-related themes such as new life, suffering, identity, caregiving, and influence, and offers reflections on why the study of mothers in the New Testament matters.
Eric Schumacher earned a degree in communications from the University of Northern Iowa and an M.Div. in Biblical and Theological Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is pursuing an M.A. in Marriage, Family, and Individual Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Eric and his wife, Jenny, live in Iowa. They are the proud parents of five children and a daughter-in-law. Eric is the Pastoral Ministry Director of the Baptist Convention of Iowa.
Eric is a regular contributor to Common Good magazine and has written many worship songs including, Not in Me.
He is the author of multiple books:
The Good Gift of Weakness
Ours: Biblical Comfort for Men Grieving Miscarriage
Chuck DeGroat is a follower of Jesus, a husband to Sara for 31 years, and a father to two amazing daughters. He serves as Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality and Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI. He is also a faculty member for the Soul Care Institute. He is a licensed therapist, a spiritual director, author of six books, and retreat leader/speaker. As a therapist, he has specialized in pastoral (and leadership) health, abuse and trauma, and navigating spiritual and emotional obstacles on the faith journey. He just founded a new graduate clinical counseling program at Western Theological Seminary. He is the author of "Healing What's Within: Coming Home to Yourself and to God When You're Wounded, Weary, and Wandering".
JIM WILDER has been training leaders and counselors for over 27 years on five continents. He is the author of nine books with a strong focus on maturing and relationship skills for leaders. His coauthored book Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You has sold over 100,000 copies in eleven languages. Wilder has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership training called THRIVE. He is currently executive director of Shepherd's House Inc., a nonprofit working at the intersection of brain science and theology, and founder of Life Model Works that is buidling contagiously healthy Christian communities through equipping existing networks with the skills to thrive. Dr. Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary and elsewhere.
Dr. Alison Cook is a psychotherapist, best-selling author, and host of the top-ranked The Best of You podcast, where she brings her unique blend of psychological expertise and spiritual encouragement to listeners worldwide. She is the author of I Shouldn't Feel This Way and The Best of You, and co-author of Boundaries for Your Soul. Her work empowers individuals to experience healing and wholeness through inviting God’s loving presence into every part of the soul. She and her husband, Joe, are the parents of two young adult children. Connect with Dr. Alison at www.dralisoncook.com.
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Vicki Courtney is a national speaker to women of all ages and the best-selling author of numerous books and Bible studies, including Move On, Ever After, 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter, and 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Son. She is a two-time ECPA Christian Book Award winner and has appeared on CNN and Fox News as a youth culture commentator. Grab her latest book, Motherhood is Not Your Highest Calling
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As we continue our series on divorce in the church, Martin Cachero from Risen Church joins us to discuss how to pastor congregants going through divorce. He received his B.A. from Cal State San Marcos and his Masters in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary. He is currently co-vocational serving as co-Pastor at Risen Church and as the Director of Strategic Initiatives with Flourish San Diego.
Vaneetha is passionate about helping people find hope in their suffering. All her books: the Bible Study, Desperate For Hope, her memoir, Walking Through Fire, and her devotional, The Scars That Have Shaped Me, encourage people to turn to Christ in their pain. Her story includes childhood bullying, losing an infant son, developing post-polio syndrome, and going through an unwanted divorce. Some of her greatest joys are being a wife to Joel and a mother to Katie and Kristi and you can find her embarrassing them in Raleigh, NC.
Chris Moles is a pastor and biblical counselor dedicated to helping churches and families confront domestic violence and cultivate healthy, God-honoring relationships. Through his ministry—PeaceWorks and PeaceWorks University—he delivers training on abuse prevention, intervention, and transformation, including resources like the Men of Peace program. Chris is also the author of The Heart of Domestic Abuse: Gospel Solutions for Men Who Use Control and Violence in the Home,
Leslie Vernick is a longstanding clinical social worker, licensed counselor, speaker, and author with over three decades of experience serving individuals, couples, and families. She’s best known for her bestselling books The Emotionally Destructive Relationship and The Emotionally Destructive Marriage. Leslie travels widely as a speaker, regularly contributes to Christian media, and co-leads training initiatives with Chris to aid churches and counselors in responding biblically and compassionately to destructive relationships
Kathey Batey is a court-appointed mediator, divorce coach, and has held divorce support groups for the past 20 years. She has led hundreds of men and women through the process and the trauma of divorce. She also works with people rebuilding their life after divorce. She is an author of 7 books on divorce. She is also a corporate trainer on conflict and numerous other topics. Her background and education is in counseling, specializing in group support.
Her work is to guide people through the trauma of divorce with the least amount of damage emotionally, financially, spiritually and physically.
Divorce is often whispered about in the church, but rarely talked about honestly and openly. In this first episode of our series on divorce, we sit down with three women from different stages of life—each with her own story of walking through divorce while navigating faith and community. Together, they share the heartbreak, the hope, and the ways the church helped—or sometimes hurt—along the way.
This honest conversation invites us to listen with compassion, break the silence around divorce, and consider how the church can be a place of grace and healing for those walking this road.
Kelly M. Kapic (PhD, King’s College, University of London) is a professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where he has taught for twenty years. He is an award-winning author or editor of more than fifteen books, including You’re Only Human and Embodied Hope, which each won a Christianity Today Book Award. Kapic, a popular speaker, has been featured in Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition, has worked on research teams funded by the John Templeton Foundation, and contributes to the Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care and various other journals.
Rachel Wojo is an inspirational author, public speaker, and podcaster. Through her biblical approach and personal life experiences, Rachel empowers women to discover strength and hope in everyday situations. Despite enduring the loss of her mother, adult special needs daughter, and father, Rachel remains resilient. She has authored the uplifting book, One More Step: Finding Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up, and Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments.
Listen in as Elyse speaks about the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20:1-16.
Bri Stensrud is an author, human dignity advocate, and the Director of Women of Welcome. Her passion is to equip the Church to engage more consistently and tangibly in holistic human dignity issues.
Throughout her previous work in the pro-life movement, she continually heard questions from those concerned about immigrants and refugees. Understanding that her advocacy for pre-born children and orphans overlapped with so many issues vulnerable migrants faced around the globe, she started a journey to detangle from politically partisan, dehumanizing narratives, and seek out a holistic biblical perspective to uplift and advocate for immigrants and refugees.
She holds a Masters of Biblical & Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, serves on the Board of Directors for The National Association of Evangelicals, and has authored two books: Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation, and a children’s book: The Biggest Best Light: Shining God’s Light into the World Around You.
Here is the summary for the BBB Act.
"Returning to Community After Spiritual Abuse" from the Broken to Beloved Summit of 2025.
Nijay Gupta (DPhil, University of Durham) has written several academic books including A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies, Paul and the Language of Faith, 15 New Testament Words of Life, and Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. He has co-edited The State of New Testament Studies, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd ed.), and The State of Pauline Studies. Nijay co-chairs the Pauline Theology seminar of the Institute for Biblical Research and serves as a senior translator for the New Living Translation.
Nijay blogs here and co-hosts the Slow Theology podcast.
Amy Peeler is a professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, a priest at St. Marks Episcopal Church, an author, a wife, and a mom. She shares her love for the Bible with her students, equipping them with the tools for exegesis. Her writings focus on the Epistle to the Hebrews and Mary, the mother of Jesus. She serves as assistant pastor at her church, using her gifts to complement those of the rector. Her husband, Lance, is choir director/organist at their church and teaches music and theology at Wheaton. Her three kids are in high school, middle school, and elementary school.
God's invitation to Mary to conceive, raise and testify about Jesus and what that says about God's invitation to all women.
www.amypeeler.com
Women and the Gender of God (Eerdmans)
Sheila Wray Gregoire is an author, podcaster, and researcher into evangelicalism and sex. The founder of BareMarriage.com, together with her team she has surveyed over 32,000 people for her books The Great Sex Rescue, She Deserves Better and her latest book, The Marriage You Want. Her goal is to change the evangelical conversation about sex to be healthy, evidence-based, and rooted in Christ. She's married Dr. Keith Gregoire who is a physician and coauthor with Sheila of The Good Guy’s Guide to Great Sex, companion to her award-winning The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex.
Third time on the Worthy pod: Episode 58 in 2021 and Episode 129 in 2022.
Today we’ll be discussing her book: "The Marriage You Want: Moving Beyond Stereotypes for a Relationship Built on Scripture, New Data, and Emotional Health"
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Jordan is the Professor of Missions and Old Testament and the Director of the Center for Faith Integration and Vocation at Huntington University.
Jordan is also an investigative writer at Christianity Today, regularly contributing some of their longest and most successful cover stories and print features.
He and his wife Aubrey and their three sons are recent transplants to Indiana from St. Paul, Minnesota. With a bit of free time, they love to explore neighborhoods on foot or by bike, read by the fire, or spend time with their church community.
Katharine Barnwell: How One Woman Revolutionized Modern Missions
Founder & Director of the Christian Counseling Center: For Sexual Health & Trauma (CCC), Dr. Andrew J. Bauman, is a therapist with a Doctorate from Northeastern University. His dissertation was on studying the impact of sexism and abuse on women in the Protestant Church. Andrew is the author of seven books, and his newest book with Baker, is called SAFE CHURCH: How to Guard Against Sexism & Abuse in Christian Communities (2025)
Brittany Allen is wife to James and mama to two boys and three babies in heaven. She never meant to become a writer, but somehow, she’s been writing for over a decade. She’s also an author, aspiring poet, and sometimes speaker. Her book Lost Gifts: Miscarriage, Grief, and the God of All Comfort will be released July 23, 2025, with Lexham Press.
Sandra is a journalist and the author, coauthor, or editor of more than twenty books. She serves as Professor of Media Arts and Worship at Dallas Theological Seminary. She joins us today to talk about her books:
Vindicating the Vixens
Nobodies Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament
The Shepherdess by Daniel Ridgeway Knight
Eryn Eddy Adkins joins us. She is the founder of So Worth Loving and a co-host on the God Hears Her podcast. She is passionate for women to know the voice of God.
Aimee Byrd joins us to talk about her new book Saving Face. She shares her story from the past few years and how God has shown her more of Himself through all of her suffering.
Mary DeMuth joins us to talk about her latest book, The Most Overlooked Women of the Bible: What Their Stories Teach Us about Being Seen and Heard.
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Quina Aragon is an author, editor, and spoken word artist residing in Orlando, FL, with her husband and daughter. They are members of New Creation Fellowship. She is the author of the children's book trilogy—Love Made, Love Gave, and Love Can. She is also the author of Love Has a Story, which invites you to explore God’s love as it has existed and moved throughout (and before) time, and how it intends to transform your own life story. It is biblical theology, meets personal story work, meets your local coffee shop poet.
Aragon planned on Love Has a Story being a ten-month writing project, but it turned into a much bigger story.
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What's a Women Worth? spoken word by Quina Aragon
Kelley Mathews (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a multi-published author, editor, and New Testament doctoral student researching Marian theology.
Kelley has over twenty-five years’ experience in the Christian publishing and nonprofit domains. She has served as a Publishers Weekly fiction reviewer, Christy Award judge, and Christianity Today Book Award judge.
Find Kelley talking about all things Bible on various podcasts. She’s earned such nicknames as grammar enthusiast, Bible nerd, and “human highlighter”—a nod to her passion for promoting other authors on social media.
Chris Moles joins us to talk about manhood, abuse, and women in the church.
Chris Moles is a Pastor and Biblical Counselor who helps churches and families confront the evil of domestic violence and promote healthy, God-honoring, relationships. Become a Patreon Supporter.
Tabitha Westbrook, LMFT-S, LCMHC-QS, LPC-S, is a licensed therapist who helps people who have messy, funky pasts (and sometimes messy, funky presents) live amazing, empowered lives today. Tabitha graduated with her BA in Psychology from NC Central University & her MA in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. In addition to being a licensed counselor & supervisor, Tabitha is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist & Approved Consultant, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), & Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider (CCTCP). She’s also certified in Immediate Stabilization Protocol (ISP), an evidence-based disaster response protocol.
She’s the Founder & CEO of The Journey and The Process, a private practice with offices in North Carolina & Texas, specializing in complex trauma, with a focus on domestic abuse & coercive control. Tabitha is a nationally known expert & speaker on abuse, providing training to churches, therapists, & agencies. She also helps train domestic abuse advocates through Called to Peace Ministries’ faith-based advocacy training, as well as having served as a co-facilitator for the G5 Men’s Batterer Intervention Group. Tabitha is the author of Body & Soul, Healed & Whole: An Invitational Guide to Healthy Sexuality After Trauma, Abuse, and Coercive Control.
You know him, you love him. Eric Schumacher is back to catch us up on his life. He talks about his latest book, The Good Gift of Weakness: God's Strength Made Perfect in the Story of Your Weakness. He also shares about his current job as a pastor who cares for pastors.
Colleen Ramser interviews Elyse about the rerelease of her updated version of The Afternoon of Life: Finding Purpose and Joy in Midlife.
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Beth Allison Barr received her B.A. in History (with a minor in Classics) from Baylor University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Medieval History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her latest book is Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How the Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry. She has contributed to Religion News Service, The Washington Post, Christianity Today, The Dallas Morning News, Sojourners, Baptist News Global, etc. Her work has been featured by NPR and The New Yorker, and she is actively sought as an academic speaker.
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Simone Halpin is the Founder and Visionary Leader of Naomi’s House. Naomi’s House began in 2016 after years of preparing and researching the best way to serve survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. Naomi’s House has since created a model that went from serving five women annually through residential services to hundreds of women annually in multiple programs across the Chicagoland area. Simone is a weekly contributor to the Next Level Podcast produced by her church, Glen Ellyn Bible Church. She met her husband, Anthony, while studying at Texas A&M University (B.S. in Health, class of 2002), she is a 2008 graduate of Moody Theological Seminary (M.A. in Biblical Studies) and is a doctoral student at Wheaton College pursuing her Doctor of Ministry (DMin). Simone and Anthony live in Wheaton with their four children
Eliza Huie is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) trained in trauma care. She serves as a seminary instructor facilitating certificate-level training in biblical counseling and has authored several books, including her latest Trauma Aware: A Christian’s Guide to Providing Help and Care. Eliza co-hosts Counsel For Life, a podcast about mental health and the Christian life.
Bri Stensrud is an author, human dignity advocate, and the Director of Women of Welcome. Her passion is to equip the Church to engage more consistently and tangibly in holistic human dignity issues.
Throughout her previous work in the pro-life movement, she continually heard questions from those concerned about immigrants and refugees. Understanding that her advocacy for pre-born children and orphans overlapped with so many issues vulnerable migrants faced around the globe, she started a journey to detangle from politically partisan, dehumanizing narratives, and seek out a holistic biblical perspective to uplift and advocate for immigrants and refugees.
She holds a Masters of Biblical & Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, serves on the Board of Directors for The National Association of Evangelicals, and has authored two books: Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation, and a children’s book: The Biggest Best Light: Shining God’s Light into the World Around You.
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Dr. Pamela MacRae is currently is a Professor in the Applied Theology and Church Ministry Division at Moody Bible Institute, giving oversight to the Ministry to Women major, Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation major, as well as the Ministry to Women Online Certificate program. She also serves on an executive team of Naomi's House, a residential program for sexually exploited women in the Chicagoland area.
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Mary Wiley is a Bible teacher, an author, and the associate publisher at B&H Publishing. She holds a master’s in theological studies and is currently pursuing a PhD. Mary is the author of Our Highest Good: 100 Days of Knowing and Loving God, Everyday Theology: What You Believe Matters, and Discovering the Bible: A Kid’s Guide to Reading and Understanding God’s Word. She and her husband, John, have three children and live in the Nashville area.
In this week's episode, Pam MaCrae interviews Elyse Fitzpatrick about her latest book Unloved: The Rejected Saints that God Calls Beloved.
Joy Schroeder, a Lutheran pastor, specializes in the history of biblical interpretation. She is Professor of Church History at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, where she serves on the faculty on Trinity Lutheran Seminary. She is the author of Deborah's Daughters: Gender Politics and Biblical Interpretation and several other books on the history of interpretation of Scripture. She is also the co-author of Voices Long Silenced: Women Biblical Interpreters Through the Centuries a Westminster John Knox Press publication, which is the topic of our conversation today. Mentioned: The Gospel According to Eve by Amanda Benckhuysen https://www.ivpress.com/the-gospel-according-to-eve
Brian Lee is a pastor, coach, and speaker. In his 20+ years of experience in vocational ministry, he experienced three instances of spiritual abuse and toxic leadership.
He founded Broken to Beloved in 2023, a nonprofit organization that exists to provide practical resources for recovery from and safeguarding against spiritual abuse and religious trauma.
He is a certified Trauma-Informed Coach and holds a certification in Religious Trauma Studies.
Based in Richmond, VA, Brian loves to go on adventures with his family in search of another cup of coffee.
Rachel Jones serves as VP of Editorial at The Good Book Company and is the author of Is This It? A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really) and, most recently, The Quiet Time Kickstart: Six Weeks to a Healthy Bible Habit. She enjoys helping others open up the Bible, going running, and spending time with friends.
Nancy French is a five-time New York Times bestselling author. Her most recent is her personal memoir, Ghosted: An American Story. As a ghostwriter, she has written for a variety of people, from Republican politicians to reality TV stars. As an award-winning investigative journalist, she uncovered sexual and spiritual abuse in America's largest Christian camp.
Michelle Lee-Barnewall’s interests focus on the application of biblical exegesis to spiritual formation and cultural issues. She is the award-winning author of Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian and Surprised by the Parables. She has served on the editorial board for the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Bulletin for Biblical Research and has been on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Biblical Research. When not writing or teaching, she loves to spend time with her three wonderful grandchildren.
Kaitlyn Schiess (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary), a doctoral student at Duke Divinity School, is the author of The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor and The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go From Here. She is also a regular cohost on the Holy Post podcast.
Dallas Jenkins is the creator and director of The Chosen, the most watched multi season drama about the life of Jesus Christ with over 770 million viewings. The Chosen is also the highest ranking crowd funded program ever, having raised over $100,000,000 in four seasons. Dallas is also the director of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever movie (2024). It is his desire to create Christ honoring art that brings glory to God and draws people to Him.
Beth doesn't need an introduction. But if you desire one you can go to Living Proof Ministries to find out about what she does and who she is.
Sonja Piper Dosti has been working in the entertainment business for over 20 years, helping writers with faith-based projects as a high-level executive for Walt Disney, ABC, Universal Television, and Imagine Television.
Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton (MBA, Doctor of Intercultural Studies) is the General Editor of “Every Woman’s Bible” (Tyndale). In addition to her editing duties, she has worked with numerous NPOs including Compassion International. Dr. Pamela McRae oversees the Ministry to Women studies and Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation courses at Moody Bible Institute.
Diane Langberg (Ph.D., Temple University) is an internationally recognized psychologist with more than 50 years of experience. Langberg is the author of seven books, including Redeeming Power. Her books have been translated into 10 languages. We will be talking to her today about her latest book, When the Church Harms God’s People: Becoming Faith Communities that Resist Abuse, Pursue Truth, and Care for the Wounded (Brazos).
Short Bio: Colleen Ramser, M.A., is an EMDR-certified licensed professional counselor (LPC) specializing in trauma - particularly on issues of spiritual abuse and domestic abuse. She is a speaker and writer who meets Christ-followers at the intersection of trauma and faith and has appeared on podcasts such as Christianity Today’s The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill and The Slow Work. As a survivor of trauma, Colleen is a compassionate witness on the journey, bringing a deep knowing of dark nights and new mercies.
Connect with Colleen at colleenramserlpc.com, on Facebook at @colleenramser, or Instagram at @colleen.m.ramser
Heather Matthews (D. Min. Fuller Seminary) is the doctor of ministry program manager at Wheaton College Graduate School. She has also worked as a pastor, church planter, nonprofit leader, and a global worker. She is the author of Confronting Sexism in the Church: How We Got Here and What We Can Do About It, an IVP publication.
Pastors’ Wives Tell All — Jessica Taylor is a speaker, pastor's wife, and founder of Come Away Missions, a nonprofit serving the people of Rwanda. Jenna Allen is a creative, photographer, tech wiz, business owner, speaker, and discipleship/worship pastor's wife who brings beauty and a clear message into every project she touches. Stephanie Gilbert is a blogger, speaker, and youth minister's wife who has made it her life's mission to seek out joy amid the junk of everyday life. Collectively, through their Pastors’ Wives Tell All ministry, they are breaking down walls within the church and crushing pastor wifey stereotypes with a little bit of ministry therapy and a whole lot of Jesus… plus epic belly laughs! They are the authors of Pastors’ Wives Tell All: Navigating Real Church Life with Honesty and Humor. You can find out more about their ministry at their website, www.pastorswivestellall.com.
Jen Pollock Michel is a speaker and the author of numerous books. She is a regular contributor for Christianity Today. A wife and mother of five, Jen lives in Cincinnati where she moved to care for her mother. Jen first joined us in February of 2021. She is back with us today to talk about her new book Surprised by Paradox: The Promise of And in an Either-Or World (IVP).
Amy Dixon is the author of three picture books—Maurice the Unbeastly, Sophie’s Animal Parade, and Marathon Mouse, as well as a middle-grade novel, Annie B., Made for TV. When she’s not writing, she is editing and marketing other people’s books. She writes from her home in Clovis, CA, where she lives on a steady diet of popcorn and coffee. Rob Dixon is the author of Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships. In addition to serving on InterVarsity staff for more than twenty-six years, Rob teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary and Fresno Pacific University. In his free time, Rob enjoys pickle ball, long runs, and cheering for the LA Dodgers (boooo). Along with illustrator Jennifer Davidson, Amy and Rob have written a beautiful picture book entitled, Penny Preaches. Articles mentioned: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Guidance for Egalitarians in Complementarian Contexts Raising Up Allies: A Standardized Pathway for Developing Men into Allies to Women
Aubrey Sampson is passionate about helping hurting people find comfort and hope, walking with them as a fellow-traveler through pain. She is an award-nominated author, whose books include The Louder Song, a children’s book Big Feelings Days, and her forthcoming book, What We Find in the Dark: Loss, Hope, and God’s Presence in Grief(April, 2025, NavPress). Aubrey is also a church planter, teaching pastor at Renewal Church, and a cohost on the Nothing is Wasted Podcast. Learn more at aubreysampson.com.
In this bonus episode, Elyse interviews Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne about her new film, For Our Daughters. In this documentary, which is a collaboration between women who were sexually assaulted, shamed, and blamed by their churches, and attorney Rachael Denhollender, Du Mez connects the dots between toxic masculinity, the treatment of many women in the evangelical church, the lust for power resident in the Christian Nationalist movement, and our current political context.
The film and other resources may be accessed for free at https://www.forourdaughtersfilm.com/ or on YouTube. Due to the nature of some of the topics, this podcast comes with a discretion warning. Kristin Kobes Du Mez is a NYT best selling author and professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University. She holds a PhD from the University of Norte Dame and her research focuses on the intersection of gender, religion, and politics. Her most recent book is Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.
Jami Nato, social media influencer and author of This Must Be the Place: Following the Breadcrumbs of Your Past to Discover Your Purpose Today
joins Elyse and Jessica and interviews them about the re-release of Give Them Grace: Leading your Kids to Joy and Freedom through Gospel-Centered Parenting.
Jen Oshman has been in women’s ministry for over two decades on three continents. She’s the author of Enough About Me, Cultural Counterfeits, Welcome, and It’s Good to be a Girl. She’s the Director of Women’s Ministry in her local church, the mother of four daughters, and currently resides with her family in Colorado where they planted Redemption Parker seven years ago. Jen’s passion is leading women into a deeper faith and fostering a biblical worldview. She writes about that at jenoshman.com. Zoe Oshman is a mechanical engineering student at the Colorado School of Mines. Her passions are robotics research and encouraging women in STEM. She treasures having grown up in Asia, Europe, and the US, and she currently resides in Golden, Colorado. Our conversation today will focus on their book, “It’s Good to be a Girl: A Celebration of All That God Made You to Be”, which is a Good Book Company publication.
Nay Dawson lives in Southampton with the wonderful Jon and two beautiful girls. She is the founder of Passion for Evangelism—a network of creative, public, female evangelists. Nay is a trustee for the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, raising money for disadvantaged Black British students. You can find out more about her at naydawson.com. She is also the author of “She Needs: Women Flourishing in the Church” which we will be discussing today.
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Nancy Moore is the founder and lead consultant of NL Moore & Associates. Her company helps churches and faith-based organizations take the guesswork out of their most important leadership decisions. In this episode, Nancy shares how she realized her gift of leadership, call to ministry, and deep love for the local church and brought these together to serve the church. Learn more at nlmoore.com.
Glenna Marshall is a pastor’s wife and mother of two energetic sons. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence and Everyday Faithfulness. She writes regularly at GlennaMarshall.com on biblical literacy, suffering, and the faithfulness of God. She is a member of Grace Bible Fellowship in Sikeston, Missouri.
Cohost:
Dr Pamela MacRae is a professor in the Applied Theology and Church Ministry Division at Moody Bible Institute, giving oversight to the Ministry to Women major, as well as the Ministry to Women Online Certificate program. She also serves on an executive team of Naomi’s House, a residential program for sexually exploited women in the Chicagoland area, and oversees Moody’s Women’s Conference. She’s married to Bob who is a Professor of Youth ministry at Moody. They have two married daughters and six grandchildren. She’s been involved in Ministry to Women in various churches and para-church ministries for over 35 years and has been a guest on the Worthy podcast.
Our guest is Elizabeth A. Mitchell (elizabethamitchell.com). She’s a Bible teacher, blogger, author, and speaker. She is also part of the leadership team at Boca Raton Community Church, serving alongside her husband Bill. As part of the faculty of WorldLead, she frequently travels overseas to train and mentor leaders involved in the nonprofit world. She’s also the author of “Journey for the Heart: Hope When Life’s Unfair”, a book for those who are experiencing circumstances that leave them feeling hopeless and discouraged which will be the primary topic of our conversation today.
This conversation originally aired on January 8th, 2020.
Nancy Guthrie — Elyse and Eric are joined by author, speaker, and bible teacher Nancy Guthrie in a conversation about the importance of biblical theology, particularly as a comfort in suffering.
This conversation originally aired on January 7th, 2021.
Author and speaker Paul Tripp joins Elyse and Eric for a conversation about the gospel and masculinity.
This originally aired September 6th, 2021.
Elyse and Eric are joined by Joni Eareckson Tada, founder of Joni and Friends, a Christian non-profit that has advanced disability ministry and changing the church and communities around the world since 1979. Learn more at joniandfriends.org.
This originally aired on February 11, 2021
Eric and Elyse talk with internationally recognized psychologist Dr. Diane Langberg about her life, her career in trauma care, and her latest book Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church.
Kristi and Davey Blackburn are living a beautiful story of redemption and healing, forgiveness and hope. Together, they are of the founders of “Nothing is Wasted,” a ministry that exists to help you navigate trauma, tragedies, and major life transitions and find purpose in your pain. You can discover more about their story and resources at www.nothingiswasted.com. Kristi is a Physician Assistant, online wellness coach, and cookbook author. You can learn more about her work at kristiblackburn.com. Davey is the author of Nothing is Wasted: A True Story of Hope, Forgiveness, and Finding Purpose in Pain. He is also the author of the “Pain to Purpose Devotional” as well as course studies for groups dealing with trauma, grief, and loss. You can learn more about Davey at daveyblackburn.com. Davey and Kristi live in the Indianapolis area alongside their three children, Natalia, Weston, and Cohen where strive to be beacons of God’s light and love, and showcase the power of His redemption to both their neighbors in Indianapolis and to individuals around the world.
Gretchen loves rich theology rooted in real life. She created Gospel Mentoring, a training program for intergenerational discipleship, and is the co-host of Freely Given, a podcast on living free in Christ. She has articles published at 1517, Christianity Today, Mere Orthodoxy, and regularly speaks at events. Her books include: Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted, and “The Story of Katie Luther: the Nun Who Escaped to Freedom” coming out in August of 2024 with Crossway, and has an upcoming book on God’s patience for for us, to be published with Lexham Press sometime in 2025. She enjoys knitting, reading many books at the same time, and embarrassing her teenagers in public. She’s married Knut, who is a 4th generation farmer in Minnesota. They have 6 kids who are now elementary through college age. She is a member at Good Shepherd Lutheran Brethren Church in Fergus Falls, MN.
Ann Maree Goudzwaard is the founder and Executive Director of Help[H]er. She advocates for women in crisis, trains in church advocacy, and produces materials for the HelpHer ministry. Her doctorate is in ministry, specifically biblical counseling. She's also certified in domestic abuse advocacy (CTP) and has completed three of the courses for the Global Trauma Recovery Institute. She and her husband Bob have been married 40 years! And are the proud parents of three grown children and their wonderful spouses, grandparents to thirteen adorable grandchildren. Her goal is to enhance counseling competency and encourage greater awareness of the difficulties women encounter, helping to provide both men and women with great resources in order to better provide one-another care. Learn more at helpher.help.
Whitney K. Pipkin is the author of We Shall All Be Changed: How Facing Death With Loved Ones Transforms Us. Whitney lives with her husband, three children and a dog named Honeybun in Northern Virginia, where they are longtime members of Grace Bible Church in Lorton.
She has worked as a journalist for a decade and a half, with articles appearing in The Washington Post, National Geographic and NPR alongside her regular work at the Chesapeake Bay Journal. She also has written for Christian publications such as The Gospel Coalition, The ERLC and Common Good magazine and writes for the ministry Women & Work.
She loves women’s Bible studies with her church, black coffee the second she wakes up and reading with her kids playing (quietly?) nearby on Sunday afternoons. You can find her on Instagram @whitneykpipkin and sign up for her newsletter at whitneykpipkin.com.
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Jessika Sanders is a wife and mother of three, and the founder and Executive Director of Praying Through Ministries. Passionate about equipping others with biblical truth, especially in suffering, she has contributed to publications including So God Made a Mother (edited by Leslie Means) and Hope When Your Heart is Heavy (from Proverbs 31 Ministries). Jessika is also the co-author of “In His Hands: Prayers for Your Child or Baby in a Medical Crisis” along with Eric.
Aimee is an author, speaker, blogger, podcaster and former coffee shop owner. She’s the author of several books, including Housewife Theologian, Theological Fitness, No Little Women, Why Can’t We Be Friends, Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, The Sexual Reformation: Restoring the Dignity and Personhood of Man and Woman and her latest book The Hope in our Scars: Finding Christ in the Underground of Disillusionment
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Kari Minter is the creator and founder of KariMinter.com, where she writes and creates resources to help women cultivate a deeper walk with God. In addition, she works for the Baptist Convention of Iowa as a church planters' spousal advocate. Kari earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education from the University of Northern Iowa and a Masters in Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to her writing and teaching, she is a mom to three kids and a wife to Brent, the lead pastor of Keystone Church of Ankeny.
Stacy is a pastor's wife, momma of four kids ranging from ten to twenty, writer and speaker. My aim in writing is to point others to Christ through the beauty of words, application of the Bible and lessons I'm learning in my own life.
She's always loved the beauty of words that are strung together well. In college I began journaling my life experiences and newfound faith in Christ. I never imagined that many of those lessons would later be used in articles designed to minister to others. God's surprising and good plans are so much better than anything I could have dreamed. Several years ago I was going through a particularly difficult season of life and ministry. As I studied the life of Moses and the wilderness journey of the Israelites, I saw reflections in my own life. Some of my first published articles originated from that wilderness time and later led to the publication of my book entitled Wilderness Wanderings: Finding Contentment in the Desert Times of Life. It's a poignant reminder that God doesn't waste our suffering. StacyReaoch.com Become a Patreon Supporter!
Eric Schumacher is an author, podcaster, and a songwriter. He has served in pastoral ministry for over two decades, currently as the pastoral ministry director for the Baptist Convention of Iowa. Along with his podcast partner (the beautiful, wise, and skillful, Elyse Fitzpatrick), he is the co author of Worthy and Jesus and Gender, and the sole author of Ours and My Last Name. Eric’s latest book is The Good Gift of Weakness: God’s Strength Made Perfect in the Story of Redemption. Eric and his wife, Jenny, live in Iowa with their five children. www.emschumacher.com Emily Jensen is an author, podcaster, and the co-founder and content director of Risen Motherhood. Between loads of dishes, laundry, and library books, you’ll find her writing and recording content that applies timeless gospel truths to all of life. Her greatest passion is knowing Christ and making him known—in her home, community, and to the ends of the internet. She’s also the co-author of Gospel Mom, Risen Motherhood, andis the sole author of He is Strong: Devotions for When You Feel Weak. www.emilyajensen.com
Courtney Ellis is an author, speaker, pastor, and host of “The Thing With Feathers Podcast.” She is also a birder, encourager, inspiration-giver, and laugh-bringer based in Orange County, California where she lives with her husband (also a pastor!) and three young children. Get her newest book, Looking Up: A Birder’s Guide to Hope Through Grief is out now.
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Kylie Collins (RN, BSN) is the Founder and Executive Director of Walk With You, a non-profit devoted to walking with families as they experience the loss of a child. https://www.walkwithyounonprofit.org
Covenant of Water
American Dirt
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Jami Nato is a writer, serial entrepreneur, and apparently an Instagram influencer (insert jazz hands). She mentors thousands of leaders by running an essential oils business and a local coffee shop. She has four non-Catholic kids who attend Catholic school, one irritatingly athletic husband, a dog with one eye, and several plants she brings to the edge of death regularly. She juggles this circus in the best-kept secret of the Midwest where people genuinely do care about your aunt’s hip surgery: Kansas City. Learn more at jaminato.com.
This Must be the Place; Following the Breadcrumbs of Your Past to Discover Your Purpose Today
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After spending a few years in the campaign and elections field, Ashley Guzik followed God's nudge and took a leap of faith to accept a job at the San Diego Rescue Mission, a faith-based shelter and rehabilitation program for those experiencing homelessness. With a quick stint assisting the Development Team, Ashley transitioned into the Church and Community Engagement department, where she serves as the Manager of Church Partnerships. For the past four years at the Rescue Mission, Ashley has inspired local churches to take an active role in healing the San Diego region from homelessness. Ashley and her team help equip churches with outreach training, resources, and tools to love our unsheltered neighbors as kindly and compassionately as Christ would. From speaking at Sunday church services and Vacation Bible Schools around the County, Ashley feels encouraged by the spirit of revival coming into San Diego's pews and streets.
Ashley grew up in San Clemente, CA, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Peace Studies from Point Loma Nazarene University. She currently attends Park Hill Church in Point Loma and is working towards her Master of Ministry and Leadership degree from Western Seminary. Ashley will be married to her fiancé, Bryce, this summer. They're excited to continue their service to Christ and his Kingdom together.
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Lore Ferguson Wilbert is the author of A Curious Faith and Handle with Care, which won a 2021 Christianity Today Book Award. She writes at lorewilbert.com. Wilbert has written for Christianity Today, Fathom magazine, and She Reads Truth and served as general editor of B&H’s Read and Reflect with the Classics. She lives in the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York with her husband. She is also the author of The Understory: An Invitation to Rootedness and Resilience from the Forest Floor.
Handle With Care: How Jesus Redeems the Power of Life and Touch in Life and Ministry
A Curious Faith: The Questions God Asks, We Ask, and We Wish Someone Would Ask Us
Susie serves as Executive Director of Hope for San Diego, which serves as a trusted partner for individuals, churches, and non-profit organizations to work together for the flourishing of our city. It’s her privilege to serve a dedicated group of volunteers and donors who give of themselves to see their vulnerable neighbors thrive. Susie loves to laugh and play pickleball, often both at the same time! She's wife of 25 years to Jonathan and mom to three young adult children. Become a Patreon supporter!
Alina has been a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurse since 2010. She often jokes that as an introvert and a fairly low-stimulation kind of person, she is working in a job where she doesn't belong. Yet her passion for nursing has only grown over time, despite all of its incredible demands, complexities, and growing moral dilemmas. It is not an easy profession to be in, which makes her fight all the more fiercely for herself and her colleagues to find, rediscover, reframe, and sustain a deep sense of meaning and calling for the work we do.
Published Writing:
She has published work in American Journal of Nursing and blogs regularly for them on Off the Charts. She has also published work in Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine, The Oxford Handbook of Meaningful Work, and The Healer’s Burden: Stories and Poems of Professional Grief.
- Her TEDxTalk with TEDxPasadena in 2017 on “How Grief Can Enable Nurses to Endure” (which was promoted to the main TED.com page in 2020 as “How Grief Helped Me Become a Better Caregiver.”)
Bri Stensrud is an author, human dignity advocate, and the Director of Women of Welcome. Her passion is to equip the Church to engage more consistently and tangibly in holistic human dignity issues. Throughout her previous work in the pro-life movement, Bri continually faced questions from those concerned about immigrants and refugees. Understanding that many concerns were rooted in fear and misinformation, she started a journey to detangle from politically partisan narratives and seek out a biblical perspective to uplift and advocate for immigrants and refugees. She holds a Masters of Biblical & Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and has authored two books: Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation, and a children’s book: The Biggest Best Light: Shining God’s Light into the World Around You.
Joy Forrest is the founder and executive director of Called to Peace Ministries (CTPM). She is author of Called to Peace: A Survivor’s Guide to Finding Peace & Healing After Domestic Abuse and the Called to Peace Companion Workbook. Joy holds an Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and has been active in counseling ministry since 2005. She has been an advocate for victims of abuse since 1997 and held the position of Community Educator with a local domestic violence agency in the early 2000’s. Show Notes https://www.calledtopeace.org/ https://www.patreon.com/theworthybook
After a year-long hiatus, Elyse and Eric are back with a new episode. In this episode, they remind us of the reason for this podcast. Then they catch us up on what has been going on in their lives.
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Mentioned by Elyse:
Women of Welcome
World Relief
Hope for San Diego
"Home" Poem
American Dirt
Start with Welcome
National Immigration Forum
Mentioned by Eric:
The Good Gift of Weakness
Ours: Biblical Comfort for Men Grieving Miscarriage
In His Hands: Prayers for your Baby or Child in a Medical Crisis
Amanda Cunningham is a former model and actress who left the business after 10 years when she become a mom. Subsequently, she entered an identity crisis where she was stunned to find identity in Christ. She is now a writer, speaker, wife of a Fire Captain, and mother of two girls. Amanda has written for the international women’s ministry Love God Greatly, for her local church (Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, TX) and is currently working on a book about healing poor body image by searching for the sacred beauty of God’s image within us. You can find Amanda online on her website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
This crossover episode features Paul Tripp interviewing Eric about his book Ours: Biblical Comfort for Men Grieving Miscarriage on The Connecting Podcast. Listen to the full episode at paultripp.com/the-connecting-podcast/posts/010-eric-schumacher. Learn more about Eric at emschumacher.com.
Paul Tripp Interviews Eric Schumacher — This crossover episode features Paul Tripp interviewing Eric about his life and faith on The Connecting Podcast. Listen to the full episode at paultripp.com/the
This crossover episode features Paul Tripp interviewing Elyse and Eric about Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women on The Connecting Podcast. Listen to the full episode at paultripp.com/the-connecting-podcast/posts/009-elyse-fitzpatrick-and-eric-schumacher. Learn more about Elyse at elysefitzpatrick.com.
Ep. 146 — Paul Tripp Interviews Elyse Fitzpatrick — This crossover episode features Paul Tripp interviewing Elyse Fitzpatrick about her life and faith on The Connecting Podcast. Listen to the full episode at paultripp.com/the-connecting-podcast/posts/009-elyse-fitzpatrick-and-eric-schumacher. Learn more about Elyse at elysefitzpatrick.com.
Leslie and her daughter Carey Bustard join us to talk about their book Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the Best Books for Children, co-edited with friend Théa Rosenburg, it was published in April 2022. As vice president, Leslie Bustard, of Square Halo Books, has developed and hosted their podcast series The Square Halo, as well as planned their conferences. You can find her at Square Halo Books, The Black Barn Online, Story Warren, and Calla Press, as well as thier website PoeticUnderpinnings.com.
Katie Stewart is a professional writer and certified editor with over 12 years of experience in writing creative nonfiction, sales copy, and marketing copy for a major nonprofit. At Owl's Nest, Katie is the COO and Managing Editor as well as one of their Classics authors. Find Katie on @lifebetweenwords on Instagram and Life Between Words on YouTube.
Karin Hoyle is an author and professional writer who has published 11 books for teens, taught creative writing and publishing courses, spoken at a variety of venues, crafted her own writing curriculum, and written for a number of publications. At Owl's Nest, Karin is the CEO and Acquisitions Editor as well as one of their Teen and Middle Grade authors. Visit kbhoyle.com to learn more.
Katie Stewart is a professional writer and certified editor with over 12 years of experience in writing creative nonfiction, sales copy, and marketing copy for a major nonprofit. At Owl's Nest, Katie is the COO and Managing Editor as well as one of their Classics authors. Find Katie on @lifebetweenwords on Instagram and Life Between Words on YouTube.
Karin Hoyle is an author and professional writer who has published 11 books for teens, taught creative writing and publishing courses, spoken at a variety of venues, crafted her own writing curriculum, and written for a number of publications. At Owl's Nest, Karin is the CEO and Acquisitions Editor as well as one of their Teen and Middle Grade authors. Visit kbhoyle.com to learn more.
Elizabeth Garn (MA, Reformed Theological Seminary) is a wife, mother, writer, and speaker. When she's not picking Legos off the floor, she's leading Bible studies, speaking at conferences, and writing about everyday theology for the lives of women. She wrote the book Freedom to Flourish: The Rest God Offers in the Purpose He Gives You.
Elizabeth Garn (MA, Reformed Theological Seminary) is a wife, mother, writer, and speaker. When she's not picking Legos off the floor, she's leading Bible studies, speaking at conferences, and writing about everyday theology for the lives of women. She wrote the book Freedom to Flourish: The Rest God Offers in the Purpose He Gives You.
Sarah Walton has co-authored (along with Kristen Wetherell) Hope When It Hurts: Biblical Reflections to Grasp God’s Purpose in Your Suffering. Her husband, Jeff, and her also had the privilege of writing a follow-up book for marriages navigating the trials of life, called Together Through the Storms: Biblical Encouragements For Your Marriage When Life Hurts.
Sarah Walton has co-authored (along with Kristen Wetherell) Hope When It Hurts: Biblical Reflections to Grasp God’s Purpose in Your Suffering. Her husband, Jeff, and her also had the privilege of writing a follow-up book for marriages navigating the trials of life, called Together Through the Storms: Biblical Encouragements For Your Marriage When Life Hurts.
In this week's episode we interview Bri Stensrud. She is a human dignity advocate and the Director of Women of Welcome. She holds a Masters of Biblical & Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and two kids.
In this week's episode Chelsea Patterson Sobolik joins us to talk about her work with the ERLC. She is the Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy for Lifeline Children’s Services, where she advocate for policies that ensure every child has access to a safe, permanent and loving home.
Ann Wilson and her husband Dave are the authors of Vertical Marriage: The One Secret That Will Change Your Marriage and No Perfect Parents: Ditch Expectations, Embrace Reality, and Discover the One Secret That Will Change Your Parenting (2021). Additionally, they are touring speakers, as well as the radio hosts of the nationally syndicated radio show, Family Life Today. But it’s their singular passion for enriching lives through spreading the Word and wisdom of God that truly defines them.
Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko is an Autistic and Disabled writer, poet, and author of A Lamenter's Pathway to Joy, Devotional Journal. Jennifer also advocates for the normalization and acceptance of disability, chronic challenges, and mental illness in the body of Christ by teaching a theology of Disability and speaking to the nuances of the Disability experience. You can follow Jennifer’s writing across social media @jennifer.jihye.ko.
Leah Boyd the "Sassy Seminarian" @LeahBSassy joins us to talk about her faith journey and love for theology, specifically Bavinck.
Leah Boyd the "Sassy Seminarian" @LeahBSassy joins us to talk about her faith journey and love for theology, specifically Bavinck.
Tara-Leigh Cobble (taraleighcobble.com) is the creator and host of The Bible Recap podcast and the author of the book by the same name. She founded D-Group, an international network of weekly discipleship and Bible study groups, and she hosts a daily radio show called The God Shot. She lives in Dallas, TX.
Tara-Leigh Cobble (taraleighcobble.com) is the creator and host of The Bible Recap podcast and the author of the book by the same name. She founded D-Group, an international network of weekly discipleship and Bible study groups, and she hosts a daily radio show called The God Shot. She lives in Dallas, TX.
Jen Wilkin is an author and Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas. She has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. An advocate for Bible literacy, her passion is to see others become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe, grounded in the Word of God. You can find her at JenWilkin.net.
Jen Wilkin is an author and Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas. She has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. An advocate for Bible literacy, her passion is to see others become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe, grounded in the Word of God. You can find her at JenWilkin.net.
Nancy Guthrie teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including her Biblical Theology Workshops for Women. She is the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast from the Gospel Coalition and the author of numerous books, including Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation, Even Better than Eden, and Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus. She and her husband are cohosts of the GriefShare video series and lead Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of a child.
Katie serves as Director of Women’s Ministry at Texas Baptists. She holds a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Southwestern Seminary, where she served on the faculty for 5 years. She loves teaching on theology and culture as well as women’s issues. When she’s not writing or YouTubing on her channel, Blonde Orthodoxy, Katie loves baking...or just making a mess in the kitchen. She is a political news junkie and the Container Store is her happy place. You may find Katie only at blondeorthodoxy.com.
Pamela MacRae is a Professor in the Applied Theology and Church Ministry Division at Moody Bible Institute, giving oversight to the Ministry to Women major, Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation major, as well as the Ministry to Women Online Certificate program. She also serves on an executive team of Naomi's House, a residential program for sexually exploited women in the Chicagoland area.
Preston Sprinkle (Ph.D.) is an international speaker and a New York Times bestselling author, who’s written a dozen books including Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church & What the Bible has to say, and People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is not Just an Issue. Preston currently serves as the president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender, an organization that equips Christians to engage questions about faith, sexuality & gender with theological faithfulness and courageous love. Preston also hosts the popular podcast “Theology in the Raw” and posts regularly on his YouTube channel “Preston Sprinkle.”
Sheila Wray Gregoire is the host of the Bare Marriage podcast, an award-winning author of nine books, and a sought-after speaker who loves encouraging couples to go beyond Christian pat answers to find real-life solutions. Dr. Keith Gregoire is a pediatrician who is passionate about both building great marriages and equipping couples to parent well. They have spoken at more than seventy FamilyLife Canada marriage conferences and headlined their own signature marriage event all over the United States. They've authored The Good Girls Guide to Great Sex and The Good Guys Guide to Great Sex. Connect with Sheila on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Jessica Thompson is an author of several books including her latest How God Loves Us: 40 Days to Discovering His Character in the Fruit of the Spirit and a frequent conference speaker. She is part of the podcast Front Porch with the Fitzes, and is the director of church life at RISEN Church in San Diego, California. She’s also on the board of Hope for San Diego.
Cicely Corry serves as Managing Editor for Barna Group, helping lead and strengthen the firm’s editorial strategy for effective data storytelling. As an experienced journalist and marketing manager, she offers a unique perspective to help today’s thought leaders connect and engage in meaningful ways. Cicely is an Atlanta native with a B.A. in print journalism and minor in marketing from Hampton University and M.A. in journalism from Regent University. Travel, mixing patterns and red velvet cupcakes are a few of her favorites. She resides in the Charlotte area with her husband, Darius, and son, Haven.
Eric Schumacher — Elyse is joined by guest host Abbey Wedgeworth for a conversation with Eric about his book, Ours: Biblical Comfort for Men Grieving Miscarriage. Abbey Wedgeworth is a wife, mother, and writer. She is passionate about discipleship and bible literacy and loves to see the way that the gospel transforms how people think and live. She is the author of Held: 31 Biblical Reflections on God’s Comfort and Care in the Sorrow of Miscarriage. Abbey lives on the South Carolina coast with her husband, David, and their three young sons. Find her online at abbeywedgeworth.com.
Kristin L. Kellen (MA, EdD, PhD) is an Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) where her focus is counseling children, teens, and their families. Kristin’s most recent book is Counseling Women: Biblical Wisdom for Life's Battles. Julia B. Higgins (MDiv, PhD) is an Assistant Professor of Ministry to Women and Associate Dean of Graduate Program Administration at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS). She teaches in the Ministry to Women degree programs at Southeastern, with her ministry focus being college-aged and adult women. Julia is the author of the forthcoming Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures (Nov 2022, B&H Academic).
Kristin and Julia are the co-editors of The Whole Woman: Ministering to Her Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength.
K.J. Ramsey is a trauma-informed licensed professional counselor and author whose work offers space to see every part of our souls and stories as sacred. She holds degrees from Covenant College and Denver Seminary and is the author of This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingersand The Lord is My Courage: Stepping Through the Shadows of Fear Toward the Voice of Love. K.J. writes at the intersection of theology, psychology, and spiritual formation to guide us in recovering the rhythm of resilience through nervous system regulation and the wonder of communion with God. She and her husband Ryan, along with their two exceptionally cuddly dogs, Merton and Resa, live near Denver, Colorado where K.J. listens for the liturgy of life in wildflowers, sunsets, sorrow, and church. Connect with her online at kjramsey.com and across social media @kjramseywrites.
Blair Linne is an actress, speaker, author, and Christian spoken word artist. Blair has toured globally and is known as one of the originators of the Christian Spoken Word genre. Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through speaking and spoken word is her passion. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband Shai Linne and their three children Sage, Maya, and Ezra. She attends Risen Christ Fellowship where her husband is one of the founding pastors. She’s the author of Finding My Father: How the Gospel Heals the Pain of Fatherlessness.
Spoiler Alerts Beginning of The Scarlet Letter discussion — 23:18 End of The Scarlet Letter discussion — 30:23 Beginning of Tess discussion — 30:25 End of Tess discussion — 45:25 Karen Swallow Prior is the Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me, Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist, and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books. She is co-editor of Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues and has contributed to numerous other books. She is the host of the popular podcast Jane and Jesus. Her most recent publications are Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Guide to Reading and Reflecting and The Scarlet Letter: A Guide to Reading and Reflecting in the Read and Reflect with the Classicsseries from B&H Books. Previous volumes include the novels Frankenstein, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, and Heart of Darkness.
Rob Dixon (DIS, Fuller Theological Seminary) is an associate regional ministry director with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA and senior fellow for gender partnership with the InterVarsity Institute. He is an adjunct professor at Fresno Pacific University and Fuller Theological Seminary and provides training on flourishing mixed-gender ministry partnerships for numerous organizations around the country. He is also the author of Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships.
Brooke Medina serves as Vice President of Communications for the John Locke Foundation, a free-market think tank in North Carolina. Brooke’s writing has been published in outlets such as The Hill, Entrepreneur, Washington Examiner, Daily Signal, and she is a regular contributor at WORLD Magazine. Brooke and her husband James have four children and live in Raleigh, NC and attend the Summit Church. She is a contributor to the upcoming book, The Digital Public Square: Ethics and Religion in a Technological Society, which will release in November 2022
Brooke Medina serves as Vice President of Communications for the John Locke Foundation, a free-market think tank in North Carolina. Brooke’s writing has been published in outlets such as The Hill, Entrepreneur, Washington Examiner, Daily Signal, and she is a regular contributor at WORLD Magazine. Brooke and her husband James have four children and live in Raleigh, NC and attend the Summit Church. She is a contributor to the upcoming book, The Digital Public Square: Ethics and Religion in a Technological Society, which will release in November 2022
Mary DeMuth is a literary agent, podcaster of the popular Pray Every Day podcast, artist, speaker, and the author of 40+ books, including The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible (Salem 2022). She lives in Texas with her husband and is the mom to three adult children. Find out more at marydemuth.com.
Michael Bird is an Australian Anglican priest, a theologian, and New Testament scholar. Bird has written a number of books, including The New Testament in Its World (2019, with N. T. Wright), Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction (2013), The Gospel of the Lord: How the Early Church Wrote the Story of Jesus (2014), and Bourgeois Babes, Bossy Wives, and Bobby Haircuts: A Case for Gender Equality in Ministry. The Gospel of the Lord won the Biblical Studies section of the 2015 Christianity Today Book Awards. Bird is also the author of a fantasy novel titled Iskandar: And the Immortal King of Iona. In November 2015 he was ordained as a priest for the Anglican Church of Australia. Read more from Michael at michaelfbird.substack.com.
Jenny Solomon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religion from College of the Ozarks and also attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of Reclaim Your Marriage: Grace for Wives Who Have Been Hurt by Pornography, cofounder of Solomon SoulCare, freelance writer, and guest blogger. She lives with her husband and two sons in Kentucky. Dr. Solomon holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he also earned a Master of Divinity in Christian Ministries and a Master of Theology in Christian Philosophy. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and worked for the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a certified biblical counselor and serves as the Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition. He also serves as Adjunct Professor at Boyce College, visiting professor at various institutions, guest lecturer, trainer, and conference speaker. Dr. Solomon’s doctoral research centered on Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and he is passionate about helping people who have experienced trauma and equipping others to do so as well. His “Reorienting” courses offer online training for counselors in this area. He serves on the advisory board of two excellent ministries created to help veterans find Christ-centered biblical solutions for their struggles with PTS (Mighty Oaks Foundation, Fallen Soldiers March). He is the creator of the Transformation Bible Study Journal and author of Redeem: Hope for Husbands Who Have Hurt Through Pornography (New Growth Press, April 2022).
Barbara Reaoch and Stacy Reaoch — Stacy Reaoch is a pastor’s wife, mother of four, and the author of Wilderness Wanderings: Finding Contentment in the Desert Times of Life. She has written for various ministries including Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, and Revive Our Hearts. Stacy and her husband, Ben, live in Pittsburgh, PA, with their children. Barbara Reaoch, author of A Better Than Anything Christmas (2020), is the former Director of the Children’s Division at Bible Study Fellowship International. Home is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband Ron. Barb’s latest family devotional is A Jesus Easter (2022, The Good Book Co). You can connect with her at www.barbarareaoch.com and peruse her previous books.
Together they are the coauthors of Making Room for Her: Biblical Wisdom for a Healthier Relationship with Your Mother-In-Law or Daughter-in-Law (B&H publishing)
Caryn A. Reeder (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and co- coordinator of the Gender Studies program at Westmont College. Her books include The Enemy in the Household: Family Violence in Deuteronomy and Beyond and Gendering War and Peace in the Gospel of Luke. Her most recent book is The Samaritan Woman’s Story: Reconsidering John 4 After #ChurchToo.
Dr. Michelle Lee-Barnewall teaches in the Biblical and Theological Studies Division at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. Michelle is the author of Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate, which received the 2017 Christianity Today Award of Merit in Biblical Studies, and Surprised by the Parables: Growing in Grace through the Stories of Jesus, which was a finalist for the 2021 ECPA Christian Book Award for Bible Study. She has served on the editorial board for the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Bulletin for Biblical Research and has been on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Biblical Research.
Aimee is an author, speaker, blogger, podcaster and former coffee shop owner. She’s the author of several books, including Housewife Theologian, Theological Fitness, No Little Women, Why Can’t We Be Friends, and Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Her latest book is The Sexual Reformation: Restoring the Dignity and Personhood of Man and Woman.
Ashley Hales (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is a writer, speaker, and host of the Finding Holy podcast. She is the author of Finding Holy in the Suburbs and her writing has been featured in Christianity Today and Books & Culture. Ashley is married to a pastor and the mother to four children. Her most recent book is A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits. Find Ashley online at aahales.com, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Raleigh is an author and nonprofit leader. As the executive director of Let My People Go (lmpg.org), his passion is to see the local church fight human trafficking by loving those most vulnerable.
Bec McNew and her husband of 19 years have two wonderful children. After two decades focused on student ministry, they will be relocating to Lille, France with International Association for Refugees to serve forcibly displaced people along the Refugee Highway. Bec’s writings appear in Fathom, Women at Southern, textbooks, and on blogs. She authored and illustrated a young children’s book on the armor of God, Evie & Alistair: Farmhouse Warriors. To support the McNews' work with IAFR, go to this page and select "McNew" under the Missionary tab. You can connect with Bec on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Links: * "Don't Hear What I'm Not Saying" apparel (supports IAFR) * Support Circles
Courtney Moore is the founder and president of Women & Work, as well as co-host of the Women & Work Podcast. She holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Mobile and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Courtney is passionate about seeing Jesus Christ honored by women as they steward their gifts and leverage their unique potential for His glory. She has been married to Brent for 15 years. They have 3 great kids and live in El Paso, TX where Brent pastors LIFEchurch.
Susan Hunt and Sharon Betters — Sharon and Susan are the co-authors of Aging with Grace: Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture.
Sharon Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the director of resource development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement and Treasures in Darkness, and is the writer of Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Susan Hunt is the widow of pastor Gene Hunt, a mother, a grandmother, and the former director of women’s ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America. Hunt has written over 20 books, including Spiritual Mothering.
Kat Harris is the host of The Refined Collective Podcast, author of Sexless in the City, and Founder of the online publication The Refined Woman. In everything she does, her goal is to create a safe space to have honest and layered conversations around faith, sexuality, relationships, culture, identity, and everything in-between. Find Kat on Instagram at @therefinedwoman and @therefinedcollective.
Amanda Barratt is the ECPA bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of fifteen novels and novellas including My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Lost Love and The White Rose Resists: A Novel of the German Students Who Defied Hitler. My Dearest Dietrich was a Christy Award nominee, was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, and was a finalist in the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award. The White Rose Resists won the Christy Award for Historical Fiction. Learn more about Amanda's books at amandabarratt.net.
David and Krista Dunham are the co-authors of Table for Two: Biblical Counsel for Eating Disorders. Krista Dunham has served as a women’s mentor, biblical counselor, and curriculum developer for various women’s and children’s ministries. She has a degree in early childhood education from Ohio University. Krista suffered from an eating disorder for many years and has been privileged to share her story of recovery and transformation at many women’s events. David is a pastor and biblical counselor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Roseville, MI. He is the author of Addictive Habits: Changing for Good and can be found online through his website and Twitter. David and Krista have three children and live in Michigan.
Anna LeBaron — One of more than fifty children of infamous, polygamist cult leader, Ervil LeBaron, Anna LeBaron endured abandonment, horrific living conditions, child labor, and sexual grooming. At age thirteen, she escaped the violent cult, gave her life to Christ, and sought healing. Her book, The Polygamist’s Daughter: A Memoir, was published in 2017. A gifted speaker, social media coach, book launch expert, and personal growth activist, Anna is passionate about helping others walk in freedom. She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and loves being Mom to five grown children and Yaya to her first grandchild. Find more about Anna at annalebaron.com.
Kerri Rawson is the New York Times bestselling author of A Serial Killer’s Daughter: My Story of Faith, Love, and Overcoming. A memoir based on her life as the daughter of Dennis Rader, better known to the world as the serial killer BTK. Since her father’s arrest, Kerri has been advocating for victims of abuse, crime, and trauma, sharing her journey of hope, healing, faith, and forgiveness. She lives with two kids and two cats in Florida.
Brooke McGlothlin has encouraged thousands of moms toward a richer prayer life for over a decade. She is the co-founder of Million Praying Moms, a popular online ministry that exists to help moms make prayer their first and best response to the challenges of parenting. Brooke is the author of several books and resources for moms, including Praying Mom: Making Prayer the First and Best Response to Motherhood. She lives in the mountains of southwest Virginia with her husband and their two sons. Learn more at millionprayingmoms.com.
Kari Minter is the creator and founder of kariminter.com where she writes and creates resources to help women cultivate a deeper walk with God. In addition, she works for the Baptist Convention of Iowa as a church planters’ spousal advocate. Kari is also in her second year of seeking her master’s degree in Theological Studies through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to her professional life, she is a mom to 3 kids, ages 12-15, and a wife to Brent, the lead pastor at Keystone Church of Ankeny. Kari would love to meet you on Instagram and Facebook.
Wendy Alsup lives on an old family farm in South Carolina, where she teaches math at a local community college and is a mother to her two boys. She is the author of Practical Theology for Women, The Gospel-Centered Woman, Is the Bible Good for Women?, and Companions in Suffering. Her next book, I Forgive You: Finding Peace and Moving Forward When Life Really Hurts, releases January 1 from The Good Book Company. Wendy also writes at her website, theologyforwomen.org.
Gretchen Ronnevik lives on a farm in Minnesota with her husband and 6 loud, funny, smart, and crazy kids (3 girls and 3 boys), which she’s homeschooled the last 11 years. Grethcen began writing in college, as she majored in English and studied literature, writing, and publishing. She merged her technical writing skills for a few years with my love of knitting and wrote some knitting patterns that still sell decently well today. Gretchen’s most recent book is Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted. Find more of Gretchen's writing at gretchenronnevik.com.
Katelyn Beaty joins Elyse and Eric for a conversation about her forthcoming book Celebrities for Jesus: How Platforms, Profits, and Personas Are Hurting the Church (Brazos Press). Katelyn is an acquisitions editor and the author of A Woman's Place: A Christian Vision for Your Calling in the Office, the Home, and the World. Learn more about Katelyn at KatelynBeaty.com.
Laura Barringer joins the podcast to talk about her book, A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing. Laura is a teacher of primary-grade students. She is the co-author of Sharing God's Love: The Jesus Creed for Children and wrote a teacher lesson and activity guide to accompany the book. She is a graduate of Wheaton College (IL) and currently resides in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, Mark, and three beagles. Find her on Twitter (@laurambarringer). Learn more about beagle rescue and adoption at homesforanimalheroes.com.
Elyse talks to Eliza and Esther about their book The Whole Life: 52 Weeks of Biblical Self-Care.
Christine Caine joins the podcast to talk about her life, the founding of A21 and Propel Women, and her latest book How Did I Get Here?: Finding Your Way Back to God When Everything is Pulling You Away
Pastor Scott Sauls joins Elyse to talk about his book A Gentle Answer: Our 'Secret Weapon' in an Age of Us Against Them.
Michelle Bates joins the show to talk about the loss of her children and her book Beyond the Shallow: How Suffering Led Me to the Deep End of Grace.
In this week's episode Elyse and Jessica interview Rachel Jones about her book A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, really). This one is for everyone so men don't think that the topic won't be helpful to you.
Ashley chats with Elyse and Eric about her recently released It's Not Just You: Freeing Women to Talk About Sexual Sin and Fight It Well.
Jessica Hooten Wilson joins us to chat about the importance of the Christian imagination, especially in and through literature. Jessica Hooten Wilson is Louise Cowan Scholar in Residence at the University of Dallas in the Classical Education and Humanities Graduate Program. She authored Giving the Devil his Due: Flannery O’Connor and The Brothers Karamazov, which received a 2018 Christianity Today book of the year award. In 2022, she will publish The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints (Brazos Press) and Learning the Good Life: From the Great Hearts and Minds that Came Before (Zondervan 2022).
Jessica is active on Twitter, Facebook, and at jessicahootenwilson.com.
Jamie Ivey the host of the popular podcast The Happy Hour joins us to talk about her her latest children's book God Made You to be You. We delve into why identity is so important.
Ruth Buchanan is a Christian writer who holds degrees in ministry and theology. She’s traditionally published in the areas of fiction, non-fiction, plays, and sacred scripts. She’s an eager reader, an enthusiastic traveler, and the world’s most reluctant runner. Ruth works as Director of Literary Services for Build a Better Us and currently lives in South Carolina. Learn more about Ruth at ruthbuchananauthor.com.
Show Notes:
Twitter: @RuthMBuchanan
Insta: @RuthMBuchanan
Email: Ruth@buildabetterus.com
Blog: https://ruthbuchanan.substack.com/
Katy is an Editor at the Good Book Company. She likes climbing hills and exploring new places—both in books and in real life! Before Katy joined TGBC she used to work in a school, and now she teaches the Bible every week to children at her church. She also reads ancient Greek and has a master’s degree in Classics from Cambridge University. Katy authored The Promise and the Light: A Christmas Retelling.
Elyse and Eric chat with pastor Gavin Ortlund (gavinortlund.com) about valuing women in pastoral ministry.
Find Worthy apparel at bonfire.com/worthy-celebrating-the-value-of-women/
Sandra McCracken — Elyse and Eric chat with singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken about songwriting, worship, and her forthcoming book, Send Out Your Light.
Find Worthy apparel at bonfire.com/worthy-celebrating-the-value-of-women/
Elyse and Eric are joined by Joni Eareckson Tada, founder of Joni and Friends, a Christian non-profit that has advanced disability ministry and changing the church and communities around the world since 1979. Learn more at joniandfriends.org.
Find Worthy apparel at bonfire.com/worthy-celebrating-the-value-of-women/
Donna Harris shares about her calling to serve the broken as a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist. She oversees Builder and Backers. Learn more at buildersandbackers.com.
Kelsey Hency is CEO & Editor in Chief of Fathom, an online magazine that sets out to engage the whole of their readers to cultivate an embodied faith that furthers the kingdom of heaven on earth. Learn more at fathommag.com.
Elyse and Eric are joined by Jenny Steinbach, the producer of the her.BIBLE app—an audio Bible read by ethnically diverse women.
Talitha Moore joins the podcast to talk about race, adoption, life in a "Christian celebrity" family, photography, Hamilton, and WandaVision. You can find her on Twitter @talithapmoore and at her website talithamoore.com.
Elyse and Eric talk with Rachel Darnell, author of the forthcoming Daughters of Sarah, about liberty and submission in Christian views of gender.
Award-winning author and speaker Carolyn Custis James shares about her life and career in speaking to the value of women in the Kingdom of God.
Michelle is Assistant Professor of OT and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Seminary. She teaches classes related to the Former Prophets and Old Testament Theology, as well as biblical Hebrew. She is currently authoring works related to Joshua, Judges, and the Historical Books.
Pastor and author Chris Brauns discusses forgiveness in situations of grave offenses and unrepentant offenders. Chris is the author of Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds. Learn more at chrisbrauns.com.
Barnabas Piper joins Elyse and Eric for an important conversation about husbands, divorce, remarriage, and the gospel. Barnabas is an assistant pastor at Immanuel Church in Nashville. He is the author of several books, including Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt is Not the Enemy of Faith and Hoping for Happiness: Turning Life’s Most Elusive Feeling into Lasting Reality. Barnabas co-hosts The Happy Rant podcast and writes regularly for He Reads Truth. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Nashville.
Elyse and Eric chat with Justin Holcomb, author of God Made Me in His Image: Helping Children Appreciate Their Bodies, about children, body image, and damaging teachings on biblical manhood and womanhood.
Author and speaker Paul Tripp joins Elyse and Eric for a conversation about the gospel and masculinity.
Elyse and Eric talk with multiple award-winning Young Adult author K. B. Hoyle about writing fiction, storytelling, and creating good, true, and beautiful art. In addition to writing and speaking, she is a columnist at Christ and Pop Culture. Find her at kbhoyle.com
Beth Moore turns the tables and hosts this episode, interviewing Elyse and Eric on the one year anniversary of Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women and the podcast.
Author, speaker, and bible teacher Beth Moore is back on the podcast to chatting with Elyse and Eric about her most recent study on Galatians, Now That Faith Has Come, co-written with her daughter Melissa, and how the gospel informs her social media presence.
Now That Faith Has Come: https://amzn.to/3710Juj
Laura Wifler and Emily Jensen join Eric and Elyse to talk about founding and leading a non-profit parachurch ministry. Laura and Emily are the co-hosts of the Risen Motherhood podcast and co-founders of Risen Motherhood, which exists to encourage, equip, and challenge moms to apply the gospel to their everyday lives. They are also the co-authors of the book Risen Motherhood. Laura serves as R|M’s Executive Director. Emily serves as R|M’s content director. They are both live with their husbands and children in Iowa.
risenmotherhood.com
Vivian Mabuni, the host of the "Someday is Here" podcast, joins Eric and Elyse to talk about the experiences of Asian American women.
Jenn Hesse serves as content director for Waiting in Hope Ministries, a national organization that supports women and men facing infertility, miscarriage, adoption, or other types of waiting for a child. Learn more at waitinginhopeinfertility.com.
Elyse and Eric talk with Beth Allison Barr about the importance of history, the place of women in church history, and her new book, The Making of Biblical Womanhood.
Eric and Elyse speak with author, speaker, and podcaster Tiffany Bluhm about her new book Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up.
Karen Swallow Prior joins the podcast to talk about the latest volumes in her guides to the classics series, Jane Eyre andFrankenstein.
Elyse and Eric are joined by author, speaker, counselor, and relationship coach Leslie Vernick in a conversation about emotionally destructive relationships and the church (leslievernick.com).
Licensed therapist Colleen Ramser talks with Elyse and Eric about female image bearing and her new ministry, In His Image. To register for the upcoming In His Image 8-week course, visit colleenramser.com (registration is open March 22-29).
Links: www.colleenramserlpc.com / www.colleenramser.com
FB: Colleen Ramser Ministry (@CRamserministry)
Ann Maree Goudzwaard is a biblical counselor and the author of Help[Her]: A Churchwide Response to Women in Crisis. She talks with Eric and Elyse about the importance of counseling women and involving women in churchwide care. Learn more about her and her resources at annmareegoudzwaard.com.
For a free digital download, please visit pcacdm.org/helpher.
Sheila Gregoire joins the podcast to talk about sex and women, damaging evangelical teachings on sex and her new book The Great Sex Rescue.
Nancy Pearcey — Professor and scholar Nancy Pearcey discusses transgenderism, its impact on women, and how the church should respond. Professor Pearcey is the author of “Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality” and has been hailed in The Economist as “America’s preeminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual."
Laurie Krieg — Eric and Elyse talk with Laurie Krieg about her book An Impossible Marriage: What Our Mixed-Orientation Marriage Has Taught Us About Love and the Gospel. Laurie is a writer, speaker, and ministry leader whose mission is to teach the Church how to approach sexuality with the gospel. She also serves on the board of directors of the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender.
Jen Pollock Michel — Eric and Elyse are joined by Jen Pollock Michel to discuss stories, literature, and her forthcoming book A Habit Called Faith. Learn more about Jen at at jenpollockmichel.com.
A transcript of this episode can be found at our website.
Eric and Elyse talk with internationally recognized psychologist Dr. Diane Langberg about her life, her career in trauma care, and her latest book Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church.
Eric Schumacher — Elyse and guest host K.B. Hoyle interview Eric about his new novella, My Last Name. Find more info on the book at emschumacher.com.
Show notes: Write Better: A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality by Andrew T. LePeau
Hannah Anderson — Eric and Elyse chat with author Hannah Anderson about natural theology and her forthcoming book Turning of Days: Lessons from Nature, Seasons, and Spirit.
A transcript of this episode is available at www.worthybook.org/podcast.
Tish Harrison Warren — Eric and Elyse are joined by Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren to talk about her books, Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life and Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work.
Vaneeth Rendall Risner — Vaneetha talks about her life of suffering—including childhood polio, miscarriage and the death of a child, divorce, and post-polio syndrome—which she chronicles in her memoir Walking Through Fire.
Shownotes:
- walkingthroughfirebook.com
- vaneetha.com
A transcript of this episode is available at worthybook.org/podcast.
Elyse and Eric talk with Maggie Combs about her new book, Motherhood Without All the Rules: Trading Stressful Standards for Gospel Truths.
A transcript of this episode is available at worthybook.org/podcast.
Trillia Newbell — Author and speaker Trillia Newbell chats with Eric and Elyse about happiness, sorrow, and writing.
A transcript of this episode is available at worthybook.org/podcast.
Stefanie Boyles — Stefanie Boyles shares about life as a military spouse. Stefanie is the wife of an Active Duty Army Chaplin, the mother to three children, a staff writer at the Daily Grace Company, and the co-host of the Daily Grace podcast.
A transcript of this episode is available at worthybook.org/podcast.
Filmmaker, author, speaker and podcast producer Carolyn McCulley shares about singleness, writing, feminism, filmmaking, and productivity in this two-part interview.
A transcript of this episode is available at worthybook.org/podcast.
Filmmaker, author, speaker and podcast producer Carolyn McCulley shares about singleness, writing, feminism, filmmaking, and productivity in this two-part interview.
A transcript of this episode is available at worthybook.org/podcast.
Ruth Chou Simons —Ruth ChouSimons joins the podcast to talk about her life an artist, entrepreneur, speaker, and award-winning author. Ruth is the author of several books including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and Foundations.
A transcript of this episode is available at worthybook.org/podcast.
Lucy Crabtree — Elyse and Eric speak with hearing loss advocate Lucy Crabtree about life with hearing loss and how churches can be more inclusive to the hearing loss community.
Show Notes:
“Welcoming the Hearing Loss Community” — a 3-part series by Lucy Crabtree: emschumacher.com/welcoming-the-hearing-loss-community
twitter.com/lucycrabKC
tolivequietly.com
Rev. Robert Cunningham — Robert Cunningham, Senior Pastor at Tates Creek Presbyterian Church, share about how their church dealt with a sexual abuse allegation against a former staff member and practical steps for pastors and churches to take.
Wade Mullen — A conversation about abuse in institutions with Wade Mullen, author of Something's Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse--and Freeing Yourself from Its Power.
Rachael Denhollander — Rachael Denhollander tells her story of being the first woman to pursue criminal charges and speak publicly against USA Gymnastics’ team doctor Larry Nassar, one of the most prolific sexual abusers in recorded history. (Part two)
Rachael Denhollander — Rachael Denhollander tells her story of being the first woman to pursue criminal charges and speak publicly against USA Gymnastics’ team doctor Larry Nassar, one of the most prolific sexual abusers in recorded history.
Derwin and Vicki Gray join the podcast to talk about female leadership in the church, Derwin's latest book, javelins, and meat-eating aquatic life.
Elyse and Eric interview author, speaker and daughter of Elyse, Jessica Thompson. She talks about growing up with Elyse as her mother and then we discuss her latest book How To Help Your Anxious Teen.
Megan Lively chronicles the heartbreaking story of her sexual assault and the mishandling of her report at a seminary. She chronicles the process she went through as she grappled with the reality of what occurred, shared her story publicly, and how continues to find mercy and healing in Christ.
Megan Lively chronicles the heartbreaking story of her sexual assault and the mishandling of her report at a seminary. She chronicles the process she went through as she grappled with the reality of what occurred, shared her story publicly, and how continues to find mercy and healing in Christ. (Part 1)
Elyse and Eric speak with Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.
Darby Strickland, author of Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims talks with Elyse and Eric about domestic abuse and counseling.
Eliza Huie, Director of Counseling at McLean Bible Church and Dean of Biblical Counseling for Metro Baltimore Seminary, joins the podcast to talk about biblical counseling, therapy, and abuse.
Joanna Meyer of the Dever Institute for Faith and Life speaks with Elyse and Eric about women and vocation.
Links for show notes:
"Called Together: A Biblical Look at Gender in the Workplace"
"What COVID-19 Lays Bare: Implications for Women's Work"
Elyse and Eric speak with Jasmine Holmes author of Mother to Son: Lettters to a Black Boy on Identity and Hope.
Elyse and Eric talk with Phylicia Masonheimer, author of Stop Calling Me Beautiful, about women's ministry, social media, theology, sexual brokenness, and Amish romance novels.
Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of several books.
Dr. Pamela MacRae — Elyse and Eric talk with Pamela MacRae who is a Professor in the Applied Theology and Church Ministry Department at Moody Bible Institute, where is the Program Head of Ministry to Women and Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation.
Mary DeMuth — Eric and Elyse speak with international speak, podcaster, and author Mary DeMuth about her latest book We Too: How the Church Can Respond to the Sexual Abuse Crisis.
Show note links: marydemuth.com, prayeveryday.show, wetoo.org
Brittany and Doug, co-editors of Co-Laborers, Co-Heirs: A Family Conversation, join the podcast.
Kristi is a speaker, an academic and an author, pursuing her PhD in philosophical theology. She speaks with Elyse and Eric about the value of women the academy and using such gifts in the local church.
"more TRUTH: Searching for Certainty in an Uncertain World” — https://amzn.to/2y5l2s6
Mark and Rondi Lauterback join Elyse and Eric on this week's epsiode. Mark is a pastor at Rincon Mountain Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona. Rondi the author of Hungry: Learning to Feed Your Soul with Christ.
Rachel Green Miller — Elyse and Eric are joined by Rachel Green Miller to talk about her book Beyond Authority and Submission: Women and Men in Marriage, Church, and Society.
Wendy Alsup — Wendy talks about women and theology in the context of suffering in the church, divorce, and disease. She is the author of Companions in Suffering: Comfort for Times of Loss and Loneliness.
Eric and Elyse welcome Todd Bordow onto the podcast. Todd is the pastor of Cornerstone OPC in Houston, Texas.
Elyse and Eric are joined by Christine Caine. Christine is an Australian born, Greek blooded, lover of Jesus, activist, author and international speaker. She and her husband, Nick, co-founded The A21 Campaign and Propel Women. Eric, Elyse, and Christine talk about the global anti-human trafficking organization and the value of women in the Great Commission
Nancy Guthrie — Elyse and Eric are joined by author, speaker, and bible teacher Nancy Guthrie in a conversation about the importance of biblical theology, particularly as a comfort in suffering.
Chris Moles — Chris is a certified counselor and a trained group facilitator in domestic violence intervention and prevention. He talks with Elyse and Eric about domestic abuse response in the local church.
http://www.chrismoles.org
The Heart of Domestic Abuse: Gospel Solutions for men who use control and violence in the home — https://amzn.to/2y3fX3s
Guest-host Beth Moore interviews Elyse and Eric about Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women.
Elyse and Eric interview author and bible teacher Beth Moore about her recent book, Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life.
Jeff and Sarah Walton — Jeff and Sarah share their marriage story of chronic illness, the after-effects of abuse, a child with neurological challenges, and financial challenges. They are the co-authors of Together Through the Storms: Biblical Encouragements for Your Marriage When Life Hurts.
Aimee Byrd — Author, speaker, blogger, and podcaster Aimee Byrd shares about her new book, Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: How the Church Needs to Rediscover Her Purpose. The conversation covers contemporary ideas about gender, the Trinity, the parachurch, and discipleship.
https://www.emschumacher.com/response-to-recovering-from-biblical-manhood-and-womanhood/
Russell Moore — Eric and Elyse talk with Dr. Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and author of the Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home.
Eric and Elyse chat with Rachel Welcher, author of the forthcoming Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality, on charting a path forward for evangelicals in the ongoing debates about sexuality—one that rejects legalism and license alike, steering us back instead to the good news of Jesus.
Rachel's Books: https://amzn.to/2wX0elF
https://www.patreon.com/theworthybook
Evan Welcher — Evan Welcher is the senior pastor of Vine Street Bible Church in Glenwood, Iowa. After losing his wife to cancer, Evan wrote the book Resplendent Bride, chronicling the love and loss of his first marriage. He joins Elyse and Eric to talk about the value of women in disease, death, divorce, and suffering.
Book: https://amzn.to/2TR92T0
https://www.patreon.com/theworthybook
Eric and Elyse interview Lisa Eldred. Lisa is a staff writer and editor at Covenant Eyes. She lives in the Lansing, Michigan area, where she is actively involved at Riverview Church. She blogs about faith, design, and rhetoric at WasabiJane.com.
- Your Brain on Porn - https://learn.covenanteyes.com/your-brain-on-porn-1/ - This ebook goes into the studies from the early 80s
- The Porn Circuit - https://learn.covenanteyes.com/porn-circuit/ - This relies heavily on The Brain that Changes Itself and looks at the neuroscience of pornography
- The Porn Phenomenon, the 2016 study: https://shop.barna.com/products/porn-phenomenon?variant=17526274374
- https://www.patreon.com/theworthybook
Eric and Elyse talk with singer-songwriter Melanie Penn about her experience with aggressive abdominal surgery and losing the ability to have biological children.
Show notes info:
- melaniepenn.com
- https://www.facebook.com/melaniepennsings/
- https://twitter.com/melaniepenn
- https://www.instagram.com/melaniepenn/
- https://www.patreon.com/theworthybook
Melanie Penn, a singer-songwriter and worship leader from NYC, joins Elyse and Eric to talk about her journey in the faith, music, church ministry, and songwriting.
Show notes info:
- melaniepenn.com
- https://www.facebook.com/melaniepennsings/
- https://twitter.com/melaniepenn
- https://www.instagram.com/melaniepenn/
https://www.patreon.com/theworthybook
Justin Holcomb joins us in this week's podcast. Justin is an Episcopal priest (serving as the Canon for Vocations in the Diocese of Central Florida) and teaches theology and apologetics at Gordon-Conwell-Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. He previously taught at the University of Virginia and Emory University. Justin serves on the boards of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments), HeartSupport, and Leaders Collective. He holds two masters degrees from Reformed Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Emory University. Justin and his wife, Lindsey, live in Orlando, Florida, with their two daughters.
In this episode Lore Ferguson-Wilbert joins Eric and Elyse. She talks about the value of women and her book Handle With Care: How Jesus Redeems the Power of Touch in Life and Ministry. The conversation covers the importance of touch, male-female relationships, and writing.