Better Together with Barb Roose: Recent Episodes
Barb Roose
Life is busy and we’re doing the best that we can. But, sometimes it’s tough for us to hang on when we’re barely hanging by a thread. Join us on Better Together with Barb Roose and connect to a community of women have real conversations real about our hopes, dreams, worries and even our waistlines. You'll find hope, help and the practical next steps to that we can all get better together!
Welcome to Summer Strong, our new series created to equip you with what you need to find rest amongst the busyness that this season brings!
Whether you're juggling kids, calendars, or career goals, each episode offers practical tools, honest conversations, and soul-deep encouragement to help you stay grounded and whole. For the next five episodes, we will be revisiting some of our top conversations from the past about finding hope and strength in challenging times.
Today, Barb will share how God taught her to turn stress into strength, and how you can become an overcomer too!
Let’s make this summer your strongest one yet—mind, body, and soul.
Have you ever prayed, “God, what do I do?” These days, our struggle with uncertainty can stop us from making important decisions or cause us to second-guess the decisions we do make. It’s stressful trying to figure out what’s right and the fear of what will happen if we are wrong.
Join Barb and her longtime friend, author Katie M. Reid, to discuss Katie’s new Bible study, God, What Do I Do? They will discuss how to make wise decisions, step into the kingdom calling God has for you, and the importance of trusting in our never changing God.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Katie on Instagram
Connect with Katie on Facebook
God, What Do I Do? - A Bible Study on James 1-5 About Making Wise Decisions in Uncertain Times
Visit Katie's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Katie M. Reid is a Bible teacher, author, and podcaster. Trained in education, Katie teaches around her kitchen table, in the classroom, and around the country. She cohosts The Martha + Mary Show and runs the Martha + Mary Show Sisterhood group on Facebook. Katie is a pastor’s wife and worship leader. Through her Bible Study, "God, What Do I Do?" Katie inspires women to make wise decisions in uncertain times. Following Jesus, marrying her husband, and being a mom to five are the best decisions she's made. Connect with Katie at katiemreid.com
For the first time ever, Barb’s answering audience questions! Join Barb and her fabulous podcast producer, Tabitha for all the inside scoop! Barb’s telling us who her favorite child is, which Bible study she’s most proud of and answering spicy questions about how to help friends far from Jesus and which body part is her favorite. Tucked into all of Barb’s answers are plenty encouraging words for you!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Barb on Instagram
Connect with Barb on Facebook
Trusting God with Your Loved Ones Free Resource
Stronger Than Stress Bible Study
Matthew: Pray Like This Bible Study
Visit Barb's Website
Listen to Previous Podcast Episodes!
What does it mean to live a good Christian life? Is it being friendly or always seeing the positive side instead of the realities of life’s struggles? What if being a good Christian is different from being like Christ?
Join Barb and author Elisa Morgan for a conversation that invites us to peel past the niceness of Christianity and learn to live by the fruit of the Spirit so God can transform us into something truly sweet. Elisa Morgan is the founder of MOPS International and co-host of Our Daily Bread, God Hears Her Podcast.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Elisa on Instagram
Connect with Elisa on Facebook
Fruitful Living: Growing a Life That Matters
Visit Elisa's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Elisa Morgan (MDiv) has authored over twenty-five books including The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, When We Pray Like Jesus, You Are Not Alone, Christmas Changes Everything and her newest book, Fruitful Living.
For twenty years, Elisa served as CEO of MOPS International (The MOMCo) and now is President Emerita. She writes for Our Daily Bread Devotional and co-hosts Discover the Word and God Hears Her for Our Daily Bread Ministries. With her husband, Evan, she has two grown children and three grandchildren who live near her in Denver, Colorado. Her constant companion is Mia, an elderly Jack Russell who shadows her every move.
Join Barb and author of Redeemer, a new Bible study on the book of Ruth by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young. At 37 years old, Dorina was widowed with 3 small children. She connected with Ruth’s story and over the years has drawn strength and hope. During this conversation, they discuss the many layers of Ruth’s story, including the “just-so-happened” moments, should every woman be looking for her Boaz, and most of all, how Ruth’s story shows us God’s heart for the vulnerable.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Dorina on Instagram
Connect with Dorina on Facebook
Redeemer: God's Lovingkindness in the Book of Ruth
Visit Dorina's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Dorina is passionate about helping diverse women discover God’s glory on life’s unexpected paths and flourish in their God-given callings. Dorina has published more than 20 children’s books, Bible studies, poetry, and devotionals, including Breathing Through Grief and Walk Run Soar. She also hosts the Global Glory Chasers podcast. She lives in Central California with her hubby Shawn and three courageous daughters.
Everyone has doubts about God but it’s hard for us to talk about them. But when we don’t talk about them, it actually weakens our faith in Him. In this episode, we explore how honest questions can strengthen, not weaken, our connection with God. Inspired by Niki Hardy’s new book, God, Can We Chat?, Barb and Niki discuss embracing doubts as the start of a deeper, more authentic faith. Come as you are and discover the unrelenting love of a God who welcomes your questions.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Niki on Instagram
Connect with Niki on Facebook
God, Can We Chat? A Daringly Honest Guide to Growing Closer to God, One Doubt at a Time
Visit Niki's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Niki Hardy is a proud Brit (now living in the US) and the author of the Audi Award–nominated Breathe Again and One-Minute Prayers for Women with Cancer. Niki has been featured on the Hallmark Channel, Life Today, and Premier Radio.
Having left corporate life, been to seminary, moved continents, planted churches, started businesses and nonprofits, and navigated loss, cancer, church hurt, and painful uncertainty, she firmly believes God loves a cheerful doubter. Niki lives in North Carolina with her husband and ridiculous Doodle, Charlie, who is the main reason their three grown kids come home. Learn more at NikiHardy.com.
We all know that we should rest but let’s be honest, most of us don’t. How do we learn how to slow down in a world that keeps getting faster and faster? Barb talks with her friend and bestselling author, Laura L. Smith, about her new book, The Urgency of Slowing Down, and Laura gives practical wisdom on what you need to eliminate and what you can add to help you resist the frantic and hold on to peace and calm.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Laura on Instagram
Connect with Laura on Facebook
The Urgency of Slowing Down: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Renewal
Visit Laura's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Laura L. Smith is a popular speaker and best-selling author tearing down the lies we’re bombarded with so we can live in Christ’s truth. Her previous books include Holy Care for the Whole Self: Biblical Wisdom for Mental and Spiritual Well-Being and Restore My Soul: The Power and Promise of 30 Psalms.
A fan of coffee, chocolate, music, books and travel, Smith speaks around the country sharing the love of Christ at conferences and events. She describes her work like this: “I tell stories (through writing and speaking) in hopes of helping others discover what took me so long to see: God’s amazing grace is abundant and free for the taking. We can’t earn it. And we don’t have to. All we have to do is accept it. And when we do, surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.”
She lives in the picturesque college town of Oxford, Ohio, with her husband and the youngest of their four kids (the other three are off on their own awesome adventures). There you’ll find her running the wooded trails, strolling the brick streets, teaching local Bible study, shopping at the Saturday morning farmer’s market, or going on a sunset walk with her family.
Is sexual abuse part of your story? You are not alone and healing is possible!
Join Barb for a conversation with certified sex addiction therapist and trauma specialist, Tabitha Westbrook, as they discuss Tabitha’s new book Body & Soul, Healed & Whole. Tabitha is a nationally known expert who will share her personal story of abuse and her healing journey. This gentle yet compelling conversation will provide a safe and compassionate place for you to see the heart of God for you and begin your process of healing whether you are single, married or single again.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Tabitha on Instagram
Connect with Tabitha on Facebook
Body & Soul, Healed & Whole: An Invitational Guide to Healthy Sexuality after Trauma, Abuse, and Coercive Control
Visit Tabitha's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Tabitha K. Westbrook, LMFT-S, LCMHC-QS, LPC-S, LPC, is a licensed counselor supervisor, EMDRIA Certified Therapist, EMDR Approved Consultant, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). She also is the founder and CEO of The Journey & The Process, a counseling clinic with offices in Texas and North Carolina. Tabitha and her team specialize in complex trauma with a focus on domestic abuse and coercive control, topics on which Tabitha is a nationally known expert and speaker. In addition to providing training to churches, therapists, and agencies, she helps train domestic abuse advocates through Called to Peace Ministries.
If you are anything like me, prayer can be a bit of a tricky subject at times. Why do we emphasize the positive answers to prayer and not the practice of getting to know God in prayer? What does God want you to know about prayer that will help you draw closer to Him?
Join me for a solo episode as I share insights from my new Bible study, Matthew: Pray Like This, about discerning God's revealed will, permissive will and sovereign will. I'm also sharing three prayer principles that reflect Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:7 that help us to ask, seek and knock to know God more.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Pray Like This Bible Study
Prayer Board Kit
Prayer Resource Page
Join Barb and her guests, Chad and Adaeze Brinkman, to discuss their new book, White Boy Black Girl. As an interracial couple, Chad and Adaeze discovered that they each carried their own unique baggage into their relationship and had to make the decision to fight through the awkward and uncomfortable moments, even when they wanted to run in the opposite direction.
If there are people in your life that you are struggling to understand or whose differences can at times feel like too much to handle, this episode is for you. Join Barb and the Brinkmans for a fun and uplifting conversation about how the gospel of Jesus can bring us together, even when our differences threaten to break us apart.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Adaeze and Chad's Book - White Boy/Black Girl: What Our Differences Can Teach Us, One Honest Conversation at a Time
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Chad and Adaeze Brinkman are a married couple who intentionally live out their passion of sharing the Gospel of Jesus together in their community. Adaeze works in the creative arts and Chad is a physical therapist. They love traveling and adventuring together, taking in the beauty of God's creation and encouraging others to do the same.
Once upon a time, purity culture promised young Christian girls that all they had to do was save themselves for marriage and their lives would be happily ever after. However, decades later the fairytale of purity culture has turned into a nightmare of consequences for millennial and Gen X Christian women carrying the abuse and pain from a man-made construct that failed to focus on God’s truth.
Join Barb for her conversation with Dr. Camden Morgante as they discuss the 5 myths of purity culture and give voice to the spoken and unspoken pain that many of you experience today whether it’s sexual dysfunction within a marriage, shame from premarital sex or perhaps even broken marriages because of the toxic purity culture indoctrination as teenagers.
Our prayer is that you find hope, healing and freedom from today's conversation and can move forward with both confidence to believe that you are loved and conviction to live in a way that honors our good God.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Dr. Camden on Instagram
Connect with Dr. Camden on Facebook
Recovering from Purity Culture: Dismantle the Myths, Reject Shame-Based Sexuality, and Move Forward in Your Faith
Visit Dr. Camden's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Camden Morgante is a licensed psychologist with nearly 15 years of experience as a therapist and college professor. She owns a private therapy practice focusing on women’s issues, relationships, sexuality, trauma, and spirituality, and is a frequent speaker. Dr. Camden’s mission is to help Christians heal their faith from toxic beliefs. She is the author of Recovering from Purity Culture. Dr. Camden lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her husband and their daughter and son.
Do you struggle with what to pray? You aren’t alone if you’ve called out to God in life’s desperate moments and wondered if He’s listening. My friend, God hears your prayers, even the most desperate ones.
Join Barb and author Rachel Wojo for a conversation about uncovering the powerful secrets of desperate prayers. As she has lived through the loss of her parents and adult special needs daughter, Rachel will teach you simple 3-word prayers to deepen your trust in God.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Rachel on Instagram
Connect with Rachel on Facebook
Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life’s Darkest Moments
Visit Rachel's Website
How To Be A Prayer Warrior For Your Family In Dark Times FREE Class!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Rachel Wojo is an inspirational author, 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. Rachel is deeply in love with her husband, Matt, and cherishes her motherhood with six children on earth and two in heaven.
How do we rebuild our lives after our hopes and dreams fall apart? Whether it’s the loss of a job, a loved one, a relationship, or even our faith, when the sun comes up the next morning, how do we find our way?
After several miscarriages and the sudden death of her husband, author Dawn Sanders opened her Bible and discovered buried treasure in Genesis 1 about how God can bring new beginnings and create fresh starts. If you’ve felt broken, stuck, or you’re struggling today, join Dawn and Barb for this episode and find hope again!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Dawn on Instagram
Connect with Dawn on Facebook
When Your World Ends: God's Creative Process for Rebuilding a Life
Visit Dawn's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Dawn M. Sanders (MDiv, Bethel Seminary) is a Bible teacher, author, and associate minister at First Baptist Church of Glenarden International (FBCGI), where she serves as the director of the sermon-based life groups ministry. Her passion is expository teaching and sharing that combines her deep scholarship with practical application to help women rebuild their lives. Her debut book, When Your World Ends: God’s Creative Process for Rebuilding a Life, offers hope and guidance for those facing life’s most challenging seasons.
Raising a girl in today’s world to follow Jesus is possible! However, if you are a mother, grandmother, auntie, pastor’s wife, or small group leader, you need a brand new set of tools to train your beautiful young women in today’s culture.
Join Barb and her friends Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis, authors of Teen Comparison Girl, for a brand new conversation equipping you to raise confident, strong Jesus-loving girls in a world that is going after them harder than ever with destructive lies. Make sure that you share this episode with your Christian friends raising daughters!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Shannon on Facebook and Instagram
Connect with Lee on Facebook and Instagram
Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyong Measure in a World That Compares
Visit the Comparison Girl Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUESTS
From the platform, page, and podcast mic, Shannon Popkin invited you to open your Bible, drink deeply of God's story, and live like it's true. Shannon's other books include Control Girl, Comparison Girl, and Shaped by God's Promises. Shannon also hosts the Live Like It's True Bible podcast and has been featured on Revive Our Hearts, FamilyLife Today, The Gospel Coalition, and Proverbs 31. Lee Nienhuis is an author, speaker, and passionate Bible teacher whose love for the Lord and the Word is contagious. Lee serves as a Communications Specialist, ministry coach, and consultant for many churches and non-profit organizations. With a heart for Inductive Bible Study and missions, she speaks domestically and abroad communicating a dynamic vision for the next generation and biblical literacy. Lee’s books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids: A Battle Plan for Raising Heroes and Counter-Cultural Parenting are a clarion call for parents who are looking to raise whole hearted Christ followers in this generation.
Social media can be the most amazing mission field if you know how to leverage it. Instead of being discouraged by its negativity and destructiveness, join Barb and social media expert Becky Robinson to learn how to make social media a tool for ministry. Becky shares 4 inspiring commitments that you can apply to your social media platform. As a result, you may discover how to become the light of Jesus in our online world.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Becky on Instagram
Reach: Create the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause
Visit Becky's Website
Weaving Influence Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Becky Robinson is the Founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in digital and integrated marketing services and public relations for authors, business leaders, coaches, trainers, speakers, and thought leaders. Since launching over a decade ago, the firm has provided a wide range of services to help clients launch more than 250 books, enabling authors to build their brands, acquire more business customers, and increase book sales.
Becky hosts the Book Marketing Action Podcast, where she shares actionable advice to help authors achieve their goals to reach more readers and enhance their brand.
In April 2022, Becky published her first book with Berrett-Koehler Publishers titled, “Reach: Create the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause,” which takes an in-depth look at what it takes to achieve the greatest possible influence, provides valuable advice for targeting key audiences, offers a variety of practical steps for cutting through the noise, shares best practices for cultivating community, and reveals effective strategies for growing an online presence.
Let’s jump in to a great conversation about prayer! Join Barb and her friend, author and spiritual director Liz Ditty, as they talk about her new 6-week Bible study, Hear My Prayer: Learning from the Faith of Elijah. In this episode, Liz helps us to ditch the perfectionism and truly be honest with God about the hurt and hardship we are facing. Whether you are a prayer warrior or you have constant problems remembering to pray, we invite you to join us for this faith-transforming conversation and powerful reminder that God hears your prayers.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Liz on Instagram
Hear My Prayer: Learning from the Faith of Elijah
Visit Liz's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Liz Ditty is a spiritual director, author, preacher, and teacher currently guiding transformative prayer retreats at Mount Hermon Conference Center, nestled in the coastal redwoods of California. A Silicon Valley native and Western Seminary graduate, Liz’s central purpose in all she writes and teaches is to gently draw attention to God's presence in our actual—often challenging—lives. Alongside her supportive husband, two children, and spirited dog, Liz finds joy in sparking connection and community with all her people.
Sometimes, our lives get shaken up. For many of us, we experience a devastating “lifequake”. This is the term that bestselling author, Tracie Miles, created to describe those catastrophic life events that leave us shaken, stuck or questioning God’s love for us.
In this episode, Tracie and Barb talk about her new book God’s Got You: Embracing New Beginnings with Courage and Confidence. Tracie shares her story of finding herself completely knocked off of her feet and shares the steps on how she found the courage and the confidence to trust God in her new season. Make sure to share this episode with your friends who are going through it!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Tracie on Instagram
God’s Got You: Embracing New Beginnings with Courage and Confidence
Visit Tracie's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Tracie Miles is the bestselling author of seven books, director of COMPEL Pro Writers Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries, and the founder of the Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery program. She has three grown children, a son and daughter in law, and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Does figuring out what to feed your family stress you out? Would you like to have the tools to plan ahead, save money and still enjoy a time of rest with your family one day a week?
Join Barb and her longtime friend and treasured mentor, best-selling author Kathi Lipp, as they discuss her newest book Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest. In this episode you will learn Kathi’s hottest tips for meal planning and preparation as well as receive a free downloadable worksheet for lunch and dinner ideas when you preorder your copy of the book!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Kathi on Instagram
Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest
Visit Kathi's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Kathi Lipp is a Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of 20 books, including The Accidental Homesteader, Clutter Free, and The Husband Project; she has had articles published in national media, including Woman’s World as part of their “Ask the Experts” feature, Today’s Christian Woman, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Crosswalk.com, Discipleship Journal and many others. She is a busy conference and retreat speaker, currently speaking each year to thousands of women throughout the United States. Kathi and her husband, Roger, live in California and are the parents of four young adults.
Abuse can often happen gradually and discreetly, leaving victims wondering if what they are experiencing is truly an issue.
Join Barb and special guests Tricia Lott Williford and Jana Richardson, as they share candidly about abuse, manipulation, freedom, and the path to safety. If you or someone you know is suffering from abuse, this is a crucial conversation. In this episode, Tricia reminds us that one of the enemy's tactics is to make us believe that our trauma is either too big or too small to mention. Please don't let your suffering remain a secret. Freedom is possible, and it is possible for you.
Note: We experienced some slight audio issues towards the end as a lawnmower outside tried to join our conversation. Our apologies for the disruption. :)
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Tricia on Instagram
Check out Tricia's book, You Are Safe Now.
Visit Tricia's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUESTS
Tricia Lott Williford has written fifteen books in the last thirteen years. She has authored six titles under her own name and nine titles as a ghostwriter in collaboration with other authors, including a gold medalist, an Emmy award-winning journalist, and a candidate for President of the United States. Her work has appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list, and she has written with Penguin Random House, St. Martin's Press, LifeWay, Tyndale, and NavPress. Tricia championed The Pen and The Page, a weekend writing retreat attended by hundreds of adults; she co-hosts the popular podcast Let's Talk Soon; and during the school year, she teaches fourth grade at an elementary school near Denver. Tricia's newest book is called You Are Safe Now: A Survivor's Guide to Listening to Your Gut, Healing from Abuse, and Living in Freedom. Jana Richardson, MA, LPC, EMDR, is an experienced therapist in the Denver area with expertise in counseling victims of trauma, grief, and addiction.
This powerful conversation aired back in February and you all loved it, so we are bringing it back for this special Labor Day episode!
Join Barb and Grace Wabuke Klein, author of Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life, for a conversation on how to trust God’s grace and goodness when we’re not sure what’s happening in our lives. Grace will explain the four seasons of life and how to hold on to hope and believe God for His best in your life.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
gracewabukeklein.com
Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life
Connect with Grace on Facebook!
Connect with Grace on Instagram!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Grace Wabuke Klein and her husband Phil lead focus412, a ministry that helps churches grow. Through this ministry, they have worked with some of the largest and most influential churches across the country. Grace was born in Uganda during the tyrannical reign of Idi Amin, and her family fled to the United States and settled in Minnesota. Grace has a bachelor’s degree in U.S. History from the University of California, Berkeley, and earned a Master’s in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. She was on the pastoral leadership team at Faith Church in West Covina, California. For more than 15 years, she had the honor of empowering thousands in their leadership and spiritual growth. Grace and her husband have been married for over five years and reside in Birmingham, Alabama.
Relationships are tough, even when two people truly love God and one another. In this week's conversation, join Barb and certified life coach Lisa Allen for a conversation on how to foster healthy relationships that celebrate differences and complement rather than complicating our lives.
Tune in for the final part of our Stronger than Stress Series!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Check out Lisa's website.
Stronger Than Stress: 10 Spiritual Practices to Win the Battle of Overwhelm
Stronger than Stress Bible Study
Connect with Lisa on IG!
Connect with Lisa on FB!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Lisa Allen has a passion for and connection to women. She has been featured as a keynote speaker at Proverbs 31 Ministries’ annual She Speaks Conference, the She Laughs Conferences, and various Women’s Ministry keynotes and conferences. Lisa has offered her insights for Charlotte Today Show as a contributor. She has also been a contributing writer for the She Laughs Newsletter, WomensMinistry.net, Proverbs 31 Ministries’ COMPEL Writers Training, and more.
Her experience as a Board-Certified Life Coach has uniquely influenced her style. She is as comfortable delivering passionate keynotes that leave her audience with a sense of calling and confidence as she is to facilitating training workshops for ministry and staff leadership teams.
Lisa is obsessed with personality assessments and enjoys the certifications she’s received for Team Coaching, DISC Personality Profile, Enneagram Coach and Gallup StrengthsFinders.
Lisa loves fashion and can be found spending her free time watching the latest trends, colors and styles. She also loves pilates. She has logged close to 900 classes since 2017. She’s not a “workout” kind of gal and used to joke that her favorite part of any workout is leaving. But, since she has gotten strong and healthy, she wanted to help others do the same. In August of 2022, she became a certified IMX Pilates instructor. You can catch her any given day enjoying or leading a Pilates workout.
When we get stuck in daily cycles of stress it can feel like this is just the way that things will always be! But what if it was possible to stop the spiral and take practical steps towards breaking the seemingly neverending cycle of stress? Listen in to today's episode as Barb provides an easy framework for moving from a place of stress to a place of rest.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Catch previous episodes of the podcast!
Stronger Than Stress: 10 Spiritual Practices to Win the Battle of Overwhelm
Stronger than Stress Bible Study
Connect with Barb on IG!
Connect with Barb on FB!
Are you feeling worn down or burnt out? Many of us are carrying so many burdens and responsibilities that at times it feels like we will be crushed beneath the weight of them. Join us for this week's conversation as Barb speaks with author Ashley Morgan Jackson about burnout, grace, and accepting God's gift of rest in the tough seasons of waiting.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
ashleymorganjackson.com
Tired of Trying: How to Hold On to God When You're Frustrated, Fed Up, and Feeling Forgotten
Connect with Ashley on IG!
Connect with Ashley on FB!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Ashley Morgan Jackson is an author, speaker, and social media expert. She formerly worked full-time for Proverbs 31 Ministries and has ministered to her online community for ten years. She is passionate about women learning to let go of the lie that they have to perform for God’s love and instead realize they can receive His love, just as they are. Ashley is a wife of fourteen years to her wonderful husband, Daniel, and a mom to two growing boys. The family lives in Charlotte, NC.
Are you stressed all of the time? Do you ever think about running away from your life because it’s just too much? You aren’t alone! Over 50% of people are highly stressed these days! The problem is that too many of us believe that we’re stuck in our stress, but that isn’t true! Join me for this new episode of Bold, Brave & Beautiful Podcast called “Too Stressed to Be Blessed." Not only will I tell you about how God taught me to turn my stress into strength, but I'll share how you can become an overcomer, too!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Preorder the Stronger Than Stress Book
Preorder the Stronger Than Stress Bible Study
When the men in our life are struggling, it is natural for us as women to long to help but just don't know what to do!
Join us today for part 2 of Barb's conversation with comedian Isaac Witty as he shares his dramatic journey of faith from pastor’s kid to successful comedian who hit rock bottom and found his way back to God.
Last time, Isaac covered the topics of identity and anxiety and today he will be discussing the topics of self-medication (such as drug use, pornography, and unhelpful distractions), the importance of who men hang around with, and the one truth that brings him comfort even when he feels misunderstood by others.
Ultimately, our hope is that Isaac's words will show us as women how best to love, pray for, and support the men in our lives who we love and who are loved even more by our faithful God.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Isaac on Instagram
Check out Isaac’s Dry Bar Comedy Special “Don’t Worry About Me. I’m Fine.”
Visit Isaac’s Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Over the course of a career that has spanned more than two decades, Isaac Witty has perfected a quirky style that doesn’t fit the mold of your average clean comedian. With perfect timing and his unique cadence, he hits punchlines hard while also playing pauses for big laughs. Isaac has been a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman, Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” Sirius XM, Thou Shalt Laugh, and The Conan O’Brien Show, among other impressive credits. You can also catch Isaac’s recently released Dry Bar special, “Don’t Worry About Me. I’m Fine.”
Most of us have men in our lives that we love and our deepest prayer is that those men love Jesus. What do you do when the Christian man in your life is struggling and you are not sure how to help?
Join Barb for today’s conversation with comedian Isaac Witty who has performed on some of America’s biggest stages and listen to his dramatic journey of faith from pastor’s kid to successful comedian who hit rock bottom and found his way back to God.
Isaac will share his story and address the 5 things that a Christian man must fight in order to have faith. His story will encourage you and help you pray more for the men in your life.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Isaac on Instagram
Check out Isaac’s Dry Bar Comedy Special “Don’t Worry About Me. I’m Fine.”
Visit Isaac’s Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Over the course of a career that has spanned more than two decades, Isaac Witty has perfected a quirky style that doesn’t fit the mold of your average clean comedian. With perfect timing and his unique cadence, he hits punchlines hard while also playing pauses for big laughs. Isaac has been a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman, Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” Sirius XM, Thou Shalt Laugh, and The Conan O’Brien Show, among other impressive credits. You can also catch Isaac’s recently released Dry Bar special, “Don’t Worry About Me. I’m Fine.”
People of color often feel invisible and alienated, even traumatized, by the oppression and discrimination still prevalent in our American culture today. The result leads to not only internalized trauma but also a particular type of aloneness, which author Prasanta Verma defines as ethnic and racial loneliness. Join Barb as Prasanta discusses her new book, Beyond Ethnic Loneliness, and listen to learn about the exhausting effects of cultural isolation, the dynamics of marginalization, and the weight of being “other”. Prasanta points toward the path of healing which includes the need to share our stories and the importance of finding safe friendships and community.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Prasanta on Instagram
Check out Prasanta's book, Ethnic Loneliness.
Visit Prasanta's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Prasanta Verma (MBA, MPH) was born under an Asian sun, raised in the Appalachian foothills in the South, and now resides in the Upper Midwest. Her essays and poetry have been published in numerous places online and in print. She has worked as an author, editor, speech and debate coach and public health professional, and wants to help us envision a world where we are all more socially connected and a little less lonely. Beyond Ethnic Lonelienss is her first book.
Does your life feel like it is the opposite of what you’ve been praying for? Perhaps you’ve wondered if God has mixed up your life with someone else’s because you definitely didn’t sign up for the drama that keeps coming your way. In this conversation, Barb and author Nicole Unice discuss Nicole’s new book, Not What I Signed Up For, and how to find strength and faith to get through what you never thought you’d have to go through.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Nicole on Instagram
Check out Nicole's book, Not What I Signed Up For.
Visit Nicole's Website
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Nicole Unice is a pastor and leadership coach who facilitates environments of safety and vulnerability so that leaders and teams can courageously identify obstacles keeping them from their maximum potential. As a sought-after speaker, Nicole has a down-to-earth style that allows even the largest gathering to feel conversational. Nicole is the author of several books focused on spiritual transformation and is a featured speaker through RightNow Media and Punchline. She holds degrees from the College of William and Mary and from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Nicole and her husband, Dave, live in Richmond, Virginia, with their three children and two pups.
As a pastor and community leader, Nicole is the author of several books on healthy faith, honing in on the connection between our emotional and spiritual life. Nicole’s books come to life through her popular video curriculum series found on RightNow Media, and she preaches frequently for conferences, churches, and organizations. In addition, She’s the host of How to Study the Bible, a popular weekly podcast that has reached people in 188 different countries in the last year alone. Find out more at nicoleunice.com.
Part 1 of this conversation was incredible, and part 2 is finally here!
Last time we talked about just how messy love can be. Many of us have had our hearts broken whether by a spouse, family member or friend and found ourselves feeling like the rug was pulled right out from under us. However, in Christ we can find an indestructible foundation.
In today's conversation, Caleb and Stefanie discuss how our broken hearts and lives can be rebuilt by letting God into the darkest parts of our stories. In this encouraging conversation they will also share true stories of transformation, reminding us that nothing is too hard for our God. Get ready for an uplifting conversation about hope, healing and wholehearted love.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Stefanie and Caleb on Instagram!
Preorder Stefanie and Caleb's Book - Wholehearted Love: Overcome the Barriers That Hold You Back in Your Relationship with God and Others -- and Delight in Feeling Safe, Seen, and Loved
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Stefanie and Caleb Rouse are relationship counselors, digital creators, and authors. They are dedicated to helping people in all stages of relationships attain a positive relationship with God, others, and themselves so that they can be empowered to act in love, selflessness, and self-control and as a result, have successful and meaningful relationships.
Stefanie and Caleb speak daily to an audience of over 500,000 people across their social media platforms about faith and relationships. Known for their authenticity and vulnerability, they share stories of hope, loss, and love that inspire people from all around the globe.
Before starting their online ministry, Stefanie and Caleb were teachers together at a private Christian school in Southern California. Stefanie taught biblical studies and relationships after being a full-time counselor, and Caleb taught AP World History. Stefanie's master's degree is in marriage and family therapy with an emphasis in theology, and Caleb's masters is in education. They have since taken their skills in education to write and create their signature online course called Cultivate Relationships where they serve their community of singles and married couples. They have seen massive breakthroughs in the lives of their students who have gone from brokenhearted to happily married. Their clients are from all over the world.
The couple spent the first few years online as lifestyle and travel bloggers through social media, being hired by cities and top hotels from all over the country and internationally. Known for their beautiful photography and authentic voice, they shared their experiences and activities together as they got to explore beautiful locations and stay in the top-rated hotels in the United States.
In 2022, Stefanie and Caleb published their first book, A Year of Prayer: Daily Moments of Contemplation, Devotion & Grace. Stefanie and Caleb have been featured in news outlets from across the world for their viral content on social media, as well as made podcast appearances together and separately on topics related to faith and relationships. Stefanie and Caleb currently reside in Pittsburgh, PA. They have two babies in heaven named Asher and Shiloh, and they live with their fur baby, a Pomeranian named Honey Bear.
Stefanie and Caleb enjoy outdoor activities, adventuring together by exploring new cities and countries, and spending time playing board games and watching their favorite shows. They are hopeful romantics, and their passion is seeing others have a beautiful, healthy love story.
Loving people can be so messy. We’ve all experienced pain or trauma that has caused us to put up barriers in our heart. Whether you were neglected by your parents, ghosted by a boyfriend, or you are estranged from a loved one, it’s easy for us to give up hope of having good relationships with the people that we love. Join me and the authors of the new book, Wholehearted Love, and learn the practical tools as well as God’s wisdom on how you can live and love others wholeheartedly again.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Stefanie and Caleb on Instagram!
Stefanie and Caleb's Book - Wholehearted Love: Overcome the Barriers That Hold You Back in Your Relationship with God and Others -- and Delight in Feeling Safe, Seen, and Loved
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Stefanie and Caleb Rouse are relationship counselors, digital creators, and authors. They are dedicated to helping people in all stages of relationships attain a positive relationship with God, others, and themselves so that they can be empowered to act in love, selflessness, and self-control and as a result, have successful and meaningful relationships.
Stefanie and Caleb speak daily to an audience of over 500,000 people across their social media platforms about faith and relationships. Known for their authenticity and vulnerability, they share stories of hope, loss, and love that inspire people from all around the globe.
Before starting their online ministry, Stefanie and Caleb were teachers together at a private Christian school in Southern California. Stefanie taught biblical studies and relationships after being a full-time counselor, and Caleb taught AP World History. Stefanie's master's degree is in marriage and family therapy with an emphasis in theology, and Caleb's masters is in education. They have since taken their skills in education to write and create their signature online course called Cultivate Relationships where they serve their community of singles and married couples. They have seen massive breakthroughs in the lives of their students who have gone from brokenhearted to happily married. Their clients are from all over the world.
The couple spent the first few years online as lifestyle and travel bloggers through social media, being hired by cities and top hotels from all over the country and internationally. Known for their beautiful photography and authentic voice, they shared their experiences and activities together as they got to explore beautiful locations and stay in the top-rated hotels in the United States.
In 2022, Stefanie and Caleb published their first book, A Year of Prayer: Daily Moments of Contemplation, Devotion & Grace. Stefanie and Caleb have been featured in news outlets from across the world for their viral content on social media, as well as made podcast appearances together and separately on topics related to faith and relationships. Stefanie and Caleb currently reside in Pittsburgh, PA. They have two babies in heaven named Asher and Shiloh, and they live with their fur baby, a Pomeranian named Honey Bear.
Stefanie and Caleb enjoy outdoor activities, adventuring together by exploring new cities and countries, and spending time playing board games and watching their favorite shows. They are hopeful romantics, and their passion is seeing others have a beautiful, healthy love story.
Do you long to live free and fully alive in your God-given purpose? If you're wondering if it's too late or if you've been through too much to experience God's life-changing freedom, you'll be so inspired by this new episode of the Bold, Brave & Beautiful podcast with author and pastor, Karrie Garcia.
After years of numbing her pain, struggling with drug addiction and surviving her mother's devastating suicide, Karrie discovered God’s redemptive and healing power in her life so that she could be free and finally fully alive. Now a third-generation pastor, speaker and trauma-informed story coach, Karrie joins Barb for a powerful conversation about silencing the inner critic, finding God’s voice of truth, and recognizing the power of knowing one’s story.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Karrie on Instagram
Karrie's book - Free & Fully Alive: Reclaiming the Story of Who You Were Created to Be
The Exchange Online Course
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Karrie Garcia is a pastor, author, and CEO who shares her journey to inspire change in others. She began speaking publicly at 19 and has addressed audiences ranging from small groups to thousands. Despite facing struggles such as drug addiction and the suicide of her mother, Karrie emerged victorious through her faith in Jesus Christ.
She founded Freedom Movement, a nonprofit addressing issues of brokenness and pain often unaddressed in traditional church environments, and authored The Exchange, a nine-week course for those seeking hope and healing. Karrie is a pastor, licensed life coach, and CEO. She inspires change in others by boldly sharing her journey to freedom and by using her training in the area of psychology to help others connect their minds with their bodies for a holistic approach to overall wellness.
Karrie is currently working toward her Training Certificate Level III at the Allender Center, a program addressing trauma-focused narrative therapy taught by leading Christian psychologist, Dan Allender. Karrie's authenticity and fearless approach to difficult topics makes her a relatable and empowering voice for those seeking freedom and healing. Her new book, Free & Fully Alive, guides readers through embracing their past and discovering a deeper connection with themselves, God, and others.
Whether you're carrying emotional wounds from childhood trauma or suffering from anxiety and depression, panic attacks, or intrusive thoughts, you know this isn't what God wants for you. He lovingly knit you together and calls you to a life of abundance. So why do His joy and love feel so far away sometimes? Join Barb and author Laura L Smith, author of the new book, Holy Care for the Whole Self, for a powerful yet practical conversation about how you can develop God-honoring, effective mental health care strategies in your life, starting today! Laura shares the tools that you need to rest in God's unconditional love and to find your strength and peace in Him.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
laurasmithauthor.com
Holy Care for the Whole Self: Biblical Wisdom for Mental and Spiritual Well-Being
Connect with Laura on Instagram!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Laura L. Smith is a popular speaker, best-selling author, and Bible teacher leading women to tear down lies so they can live in truth. Holy Care for the Whole Self is her thirteenth book.
Most recently she is known for Restore My Soul: The Power and Promise of 30 Psalms and How Sweet the Sound: The Power and Promise of 30 Beloved Hymns (which sold more than 130,000 copies).
A fan of Jesus, her prince charming of a husband, their four kids, almond milk mochas, dark chocolate, music, books, and travel. Smith describes her work this way: “I tell stories (through writing and speaking) in hopes of helping others discover what took me so long to see: God’s amazing grace is abundant and free for the taking. We can’t earn it. We don’t have to. All we have to do is accept it. And when we do, surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.”
Laura lives in the picturesque college town of Oxford, Ohio. There you’ll find her running the wooded trails, strolling the brick streets, teaching a local Bible study, shopping at the Saturday morning farmer’s market, or going on a sunset walk with her family.
Many of us long for lasting peace and stability whether we are healing from painful memories, grieving a recent loss, or simply trying to find a quiet path in a chaotic world. In this episode, interior stylist and popular Instagram influencer, Anh Lin, shares from her new book Forever Home. She was born in Vietnam in a dirt floor home and moved to America when she was two. She lost her father to cancer early in life and lived for years with a difficult, strained relationship with her mother. In her conversation with Barb, Anh combines a unique blend of Biblical teaching and her personal story to teach us how to live free from the pain of the past and invite God to rebuild your brokenness into a beautiful life.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
girlandtheword.com
Forever Home: Moving Beyond Brokenness to Build a Strong and Beautiful Life
Watch Anh's YouTube Channel!
Connect with Anh on Instagram!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Anh Lin is a dynamic interior stylist celebrated for her captivating designs and thought-provoking writing, including The Abundant Life Devotional Journal. In 2014, Anh’s passion for storytelling and empathy for others inspired her to start the popular faith and lifestyle blog Girl and The Word. Since launching the blog, Ahn has continued to expand her influence through YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and her successful online shop, The Hooga Shop. She lives in a renovated 1940s fixer-upper with her husband and adorable corgi, Ollie. Her upcoming book, Forever Home: Moving Beyond Brokenness to Build a Strong and Beautiful Life, set to be released in September 2023, reflects her personal journey and provides insightful guidance for creating a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Today’s conversation is an encouraging breath of fresh air to help you live well no matter if you feel like you’re on top of the world or the world is on top of you. Join Barb and Grace Wabuke Klein, author of Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life, for a conversation on how to trust God’s grace and goodness when we’re not sure what’s happening in our lives. Grace will explain the four seasons of life and how to hold on to hope and believe God for His best in your life.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
gracewabukeklein.com
Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life
Connect with Grace on Facebook!
Connect with Grace on Instagram!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Grace Wabuke Klein and her husband Phil lead focus412, a ministry that helps churches grow. Through this ministry, they have worked with some of the largest and most influential churches across the country. Grace was born in Uganda during the tyrannical reign of Idi Amin, and her family fled to the United States and settled in Minnesota. Grace has a bachelor’s degree in U.S. History from the University of California, Berkeley, and earned a Master’s in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. She was on the pastoral leadership team at Faith Church in West Covina, California. For more than 15 years, she had the honor of empowering thousands in their leadership and spiritual growth. Grace and her husband have been married for over five years and reside in Birmingham, Alabama.
"I've always felt unfit as a Korean but somehow too Korean everywhere else."
Tasha Jun has always been caught between worlds: American and Korean, faith and doubt, family devotion and fierce independence. As a Korean American and author of the new book, Tell Me the Dream Again, Tasha has wandered between seemingly opposing worlds, struggling to find a voice to speak and a firm place for her feet to land. In our conversation today Tasha speaks to those who feel unseen or unwanted, letting them know that they are not outsiders to God. When we let all the details of ourselves unfold—when we embrace who we were divinely knit together to be—this is when we'll fully experience his perfect love.
*Editor's Note: On Better Together, we emphasize that life is not perfect, and unfortunately in this episode, we had a little bit of imperfect audio towards the end of the interview due to some outdoor work being done in the background. Thankfully the interview is still easy to hear, but we just wanted to provide a little bit of context. Enjoy this wonderful conversation with Tasha Jun! :)
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
tashajun.com
Tell Me the Dream Again: Reflections on Family, Ethnicity, and the Sacred Work of Belonging
Connect with Tasha on Facebook!
Connect with Tasha on Instagram!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Tasha Jun is a Korean American melancholy dreamer, wife to Matt, and mom to Asher, Timo, and Everly. She loves kimchi, french fries, and Marvel movies. She grew up in a multicultural and biracial home, and because of that, she has spent her life navigating cultural collisions and liminal spaces. She is passionate about helping others notice beauty and embrace themselves as wholly beloved image bearers. As she writes about everyday life and cultural and ethnic identity, God has a way of leading her toward the hope of shalom.
Singles often feel left out of church and the gospel, even though Jesus and the Apostle Paul were single. Even when churches preach the significance of singleness from the platform, singles often feel alone and left out in the culture of the church which seems to be built similar to Noah’s Ark, that everyone is in sets of two. In her new book, Dr. Danielle Treweek, an Aussie single Jesus-follower, talks with my fabulous podcast producer Tabitha about the eschatological view of singleness and they have a surprising conversation that will raise the eyebrows of those who are married or single. If you’ve been struggling with seeing your singlehood through the big picture of Scripture or you want to support your single sisters in Christ better, Danielle’s interview will give you lots to think about and reflect on. Don’t miss this!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
danielletreweek.com
The Meaning of Singleness: Retrieving an Eschatological Vision for the Contemporary Church
Connect with Danielle on Twitter!
Connect with Danielle on Instagram!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Dani Treweek is the author of The Meaning of Singleness. She has both a degree and a doctorate in theology and is the founding director of the Single Minded Ministry. She works as the Anglican Diocese of Sydney Research Officer, teaches at a number of theological seminaries and is a regular conference and event speaker.
Introverts unite! Join us for a podcast episode all about you and best of all, you don’t need to say or do anything. Barb speaks with bestselling author Holley Gerth about her popular book, The Powerful Purpose of Introverts, on how to maximize your God-given strengths while giving yourself permission to accept yourself as you are and not let anything hold you back.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
holleygerth.com
The Powerful Purpose of Introverts
Connect with Holley on Twitter!
Connect with Holley on IG!
Connect with Holley on Facebook!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Holley Gerth is an expert snacker and excellent napper. She's also a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, former counselor, and life coach. She imagines a world where we all become who we’re created to be, use our strengths to serve, and grow for a lifetime. Holley cofounded the groundbreaking blogging community (in)courage and cohosts the popular podcast More Than Small Talk.
How can mothers raise their daughters with healthy messages about sex, self, and speaking up? What are some of the toxic teachings that need to be acknowledged and challenged? Barb speaks with Sheila Gregoire, author of the popular book, The Great Sex Rescue, about Sheila’s book for mothers of daughters titled, She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self and Speaking Up. During their conversation, Sheila reveals data from her survey of more than 7,000 women about how experiences in church as teens affect women’s self-esteem and their relationships today.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
tolovehonorandvacuum.com
She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self and Speaking Up
Connect with Sheila on Twitter!
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Connect with Sheila on Facebook!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
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 and She Deserves Better. Her goal is to change the evangelical conversation about sex to be healthy, evidence-based, and rooted in Christ. A graduate of Queen's University, she's married to her husband Keith, a pediatrician, who writes and speaks with her.
Have you been grieving and hurting because no one knows how badly you feel? It takes time and space to grieve well, but too often our grief is rushed whether by our own shame about grief or others pushing us to stop grieving. Drawing from her own experience with grief, Natasha Smith talks with Barb about what it means to grieve and to give ourselves permission to sit with our grief so that we can heal in healthy ways. Natasha’s new book, Can You Just Sit With Me, equips readers with the necessary tools to connect with God and to find an understanding companion to walk with them through the grieving process.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
imnatashasmith.com
Can You Just Sit With Me? Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life
Connect with Natasha on Twitter!
Connect with Natasha on IG!
Connect with Natasha on Facebook!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Natasha Smith is a wife, mom, and NC native. She is a writer, speaker, and podcaster, who shares stories on faith, family, and grief. She has inspired others through her writing for over 12 years. Her work has appeared in Guideposts and Focus on the Family print publications. And Her View From Home, TODAY Parents, Pray with Confidence, and other e-publications.
Learning how to deeply connect with our children can feel challenging at times. How do we answer their tough questions about life, the world around them, or about God? How can we lead them spiritually as they navigate the ups and downs that life inevitably brings?
In today's conversation, Barb speaks with Kayla Craig about her devotional, Every Season Sacred, a resource created to help families grow and connect through all seasons of life. Whether your family is walking through a dark time or it feels as if things are in full bloom, this gentle conversation will encourage you to find sacred in every season.
Producer's Note: Unfortunately we ran into some mic issues at a couple of points throughout this interview. Sometimes technology is not our friend! However, thankfully the issues did not last long. We pray this episode blesses you!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
kaylacraig.com
Every Season Sacred
Liturgies for Parents Podcast
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Kayla Craig is a former journalist who brings deep curiosity and care to her writing. She's the author of Every Season Sacred and To Light Their Way. With a poetic, prophetic voice, she created the popular Liturgies for Parents Instagram account, which Christianity Today named an "essential parenting resource." She also hosts the Liturgies for Parents podcast. Kayla's nuanced and accessible reflections, essays, and prayers are featured in various books, devotionals, and Bible studies. Kayla lives in a 115-year-old former convent in her Iowa hometown, where she hopes to create spaces of welcome alongside her four children, two dogs, and pastor-husband, Jonny.
This current generation of young men longs to see genuine, risk-taking Christianity in action. They desperately need heroes who are genuine, passionate, and noble. Our young men are aching for someone to show them—by example—all it takes to live for Christ. There’s a war raging—and moms are the ones who hold the key to victory. In my conversation with best-selling author and speaker, Rhonda Stoppe, today we are talking about 5 principles godly moms need to keep in mind as they are praying about raising godly sons. No matter how old your son is, you can keep praying for him to become a godly man!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
rhondastoppe.com
Moms Raising Sons To Be Men
Check out Rhonda's YouTube Channel!
Connect with Rhonda on Twitter!
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
"I could have listened to Rhonda talk all night", is what audiences say about Rhonda Stoppe’s honest, engaging and biblical teaching. Rhonda is the best selling author of 7 books, including Moms Raising Sons to Be Men, Real Life Romance, and The Marriage Mentor - which she co-authored with her husband, Steve. As a popular Christian speaker, mentor and author Rhonda has helped thousands of women build no regrets lives. Her appearance at Focus on the Family was named in their “Best of Episodes”. Rhonda has experienced the challenges of balancing marriage, parenting, ministry and homeschool life, and she’s ready to share her insights with you! For 40 years she has ministered along side of her pastor-husband. The Stoppes have 4 adult children and 15 grandchildren. To follow Rhonda’s podcast: Old Ladies Know Stuff , connect with Rhonda and to receive a free chapter from her book, Moms Raising Sons to Be Men please visit: NoRegretsWoman.com.
Are there questions that you would like to ask God but you’re too angry or confused to talk to Him? In my conversation with my friend and author Amberly Neese, we step right into uncomfortable questions that Christians ask like: “Can I trust God? What must I do to be healed? Why should I pray?” In her new Bible study, Untangling Faith, Amberly looks at six big questions that Christians ask and invites us to lean in and learn from Jesus. The Bible records over 300 questions that Jesus asks. In my conversation, Amberly guides us toward understanding God’s heart and helping us learn how to ask God the hard questions that can actually help us trust Him more.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
amberlyneese.com
Untangling Faith: Reclaiming Hope in the Questions Jesus Asked
Untangling Faith DVDs
Connect with Amberly on IG!
Connect with Amberly on Facebook!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Amberly Neese is a popular speaker/teacher, comedian, author, and all-around encourager dedicated to helping you become the joyful person you were created to be. She helps people like you experience the freedom found in meaningful relationships with God and others. Her bible study, “The Belonging Project: Finding Your Tribe and Learning to Thrive” was released in May 2020 by Abingdon Press. Amberly is a featured speaker for the Aspire Women’s Events and the main host and female comedian for Marriage Date Night, two popular Christian events that tour nationally. She and her husband have two teenagers and live in Prescott, Arizona, where they enjoy the great outdoors, the Food Network, and all things Star Wars.
As much as we love that God can heal us from our hurts in the past, what do we do when past hurts start hurting again? Does this mean that we aren’t healed or that God didn’t do His job?
Today, Barb has a powerful conversation with licensed professional counselor and best-selling author Michelle Nietert. Michelle and Barb have been friends for years and she shares helpful and encouraging insights for those who don’t understand how or why past wounds can open up again. Michelle recently lost her father and personally, she’s rewalking the journey from her childhood trauma again as well. Join us for a heartfelt, vulnerable but helpful conversation on today’s episode.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
michellenietert.com
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life
God, I Feel Sad: Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God
Managing Your Emojis: 100 Devotions for Navigating Your Feelings
Connect with Michelle on IG!
Connect with Michelle on FB!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Licensed Professional Counselor of 25 years, Michelle Nietert is the coauthor of the God I Feel Sad: Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God series, best selling book Loved and Cherished, award-winning Make Up Your Mind, and Managing Your Emoji’s. She leads a team of counselors as the clinical director of Community Counseling Associates in the Dallas, TX area. A popular speaker on topics regarding mental health, faith, and parenting, she is a frequent guest on national television and podcasts, and hosts the Raising Mentally Healthy KidsTM podcast. Connect with Michelle at YourMentalHealthCoach.com.
Have you ever read about one of the feasts in the Bible and thought to yourself, "What is that all about?"
Well, in today's episode, Barb speaks with author and recovering expat Alicia Akins about how the feasts of the Bible relate to us today and how we can live with faith in the truth that we are called to live an abundant life.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
feetcrymercy.com
Invitations to Abundance: How the Feasts of the Bible Nourish Us Today
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Connect with Alicia on Twitter!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Alicia Akins is a writer and recovering expat based in Washington DC. She is a student at Reformed Theological Seminary and serves as a deaconess at her church. She’s the author of Invitations to Abundance and The Gift of the Outsider with Harvest House Publishers.
Becoming a homesteader may sound totally out of reach, but chances are you may already enjoy some of those activities in your day-to-day life. Do you enjoy whipping up a home cooked meal, taking care of your house plants, or creating a cozy home for your family? Well in this episode, our special guest proves that there is a little bit of homesteader in all of us.
In today's conversation, Barb speaks with author and friend Kathi Lipp about her move from Silicon Valley to the mountains of California and her journey to becoming an accidental homesteader. Even if you don't aspire to grow your own vegetables or knit your own clothes, Kathi shows us how we can embrace a simpler and more fulfilling life and create a home that we love.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
kathilipp.com
The Accidental Homesteader: What I've Learned about Chickens, Compost, and Creating Home
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
**Kathi Lipp** is the Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of 20 books, including An Abundant Place: Daily Retreats for the Woman Who Can’t Get Away, Overwhelmed, and Clutter Free. Along with being a part of the InCourage at Dayspring writing team, she is the host of *Clutter Free Academy the Podcast! with Kathi Lipp,* Facebook group Clutter Free Academy, and Clutter Free for Life.
As a writing and marketing coach, she is also the host of the Writing at the Red House Podcast and runs both The Writing at the Red House Retreats and The Red House Writers Collective – a writing program that helps authors develop their writing, their platform, and their business.
She is often featured in Nation Media, including Woman’s World Magazine as one of their “Ask the Experts”, Focus on the Family, MOPSInternational, Crosswalk.com, Girlfriends in God and Proverbs 31 Ministries
Kathi lives on her Red House mini-homestead with her husband Roger, a dog, and eight chickens and holds cozy writer retreats for content creators.
For the past decade, Christ follower and social media influencer Sade Solomon has been praying and waiting on God for her Mr. Fabulous and Forever. At the same time, she’s wrestled with topics around sex, singleness and abstinence. In 2013, Sade began openly sharing her life changing commitment to abstinence on social media. In today’s conversation, Barb and Sade talk about the beauty of God’s blessing in trusting Him, but also the ups and downs of waiting to see how God’s promises will come to pass. Sade’s message will uplift and encourage single Christian women who’ve been on their knees praying for years, “God, where’s my man?”
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
readysetwait.com
Ready, Set, Wait by Sade Solomon
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Sade Solomon is a NYC-based Creative Entrepreneur and Social Media Personality who boldly and fashionably ignites authentic and candid conversations on topics surrounding sex, singleness, and abstinence. After embarking on her journey of abstinence in 2013, Sade began openly sharing her life-changing commitment on various online platforms while enlightening and inspiring many through her journey. In ‘ Ready, Set, Wait’, Sade peels back the layers of truth about navigating singleness and abstinence as a single Christian woman. Her work and commentary have been featured by Good Morning America, Harper’s Bazaar, Xo Necole, and Essence.
Guarding our hearts against temptation is not just something we should strive for before the day we finally get to say "I do". Temptations to sin and compromise can continue into marriage, and as women we need to be aware and on guard. In today's conversation, Barb speaks with author Sarah Wells about two tough seasons in her marriage when she was tempted to stray away from keeping her vows, and how we can all resist our own temptations to sin whether physically, emotionally, or mentally.
Whether you are in a season of wrestling right now or not, this honest and vulnerable conversation can equip you to protect your heart and your marriage.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
sarahmariewells.com
American Honey: A Field Guide to Resisting Temptation
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
In addition to the memoir American Honey, **Sarah M. Wells** is the author of The Family Bible Devotional Volume 2: Stories from the Gospels to Help Kids and Parents Love God and Love Others, and The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture. She is also the author of two collections of poems, Between the Heron and the Moss and Pruning Burning Bushes; a chapbook of poems, Acquiesce, winner of the 2008 Starting Gate Award; and a novella-length essay, The Valley of Achor, available on Kindle. Poems and essays by Wells have appeared in Ascent, Brevity, Full Grown People, Hippocampus Review, The Pinch, River Teeth, Rock & Sling, Under the Gum Tree, Terrain.org and elsewhere. Sarah’s work has been honored with four Pushcart Prize nominations, and six of her essays have been listed as Notable Essays in The Best American Essays. She is a 2018 recipient of an Ohio Individual Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council. Sarah earned her BA in Creative Writing and MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Ashland University. Sarah is a regular contributor to Root & Vine News and God Hears Her, a blog for women, from Our Daily Bread, and writes marketing content for Spire Advertising. She resides in Ashland, Ohio with her husband, Brandon, and their four children, Lydia, Elvis, Henry, and Izzy (their Westie).
When we are walking through seasons of loneliness, weariness, or feeling abandoned by those we love, it can feel like no matter how hard we try to manage the pain, things just aren't getting better. In today's episode, Barb speaks with author Ashley Morgan Jackson about her season of struggling with mental health and how God showed her that He was always present even when she felt invisible to everyone around her.
If you are feeling alone or unseen, this episode is for you.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
ashleymorganjackson.com
Tired of Trying: How to Hold On to God When You're Frustrated, Fed Up, and Feeling Forgotten
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
**Ashley Morgan Jackson** is an author, speaker, and social media expert. She works full-time for Proverbs 31 Ministries and has ministered to her online community for ten years. She is passionate about women learning to let go of the lie that they have to perform for God’s love and instead realize they can receive His love, just as they are. Ashley is a wife of fourteen years to her wonderful husband, Daniel, and a mom to two growing boys. The family lives in Charlotte, NC.
Across the country we’re still wrestling with how to talk about race well. Where do we even begin the conversation on a topic that is so big and heavy? If you are a parent or grandparent, how do you respond to your children’s questions and how often should you talk about race in your home? Today, Barb is talking with Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes, co-author of the book The Race Wise Family, a 2023 recipient of the Christianity Today Book Award. During today’s conversation, you will learn a roadmap for how to talk about race in your home as well as many practical tips and fantastic resources to help you answer the hard questions for yourself as well as your kids and grandkids.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
michelleamireyes.com
The Race-Wise Family: Ten Postures to Becoming Households of Healing and Hope
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
**Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes** is a race and culture coach, the course founder of Seasoned with Grace (a program that helps Christian leaders have gracious conversations on race in order to achieve impactful racial change), and she is the award-winning author of Becoming All Things: How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures.
When our earthly fathers hurt, harm or abandon us, it can leave a deep wound that feels like it will never fully heal.
In today's episode, Barb chats with author Kia Stephens about her experience with an absent father in her life, and the beautiful hope and healing that all women can experience, even if their relationship with their father is never fully restored. We don't have to stay wounded forever, and that is GOOD news!
Join us for this hopeful conversation and share it with a friend who needs it. Let's all get better together.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
kiastephens.com
Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God's Perfect Love
Connect with Kia on IG!
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hopeforhercampaign.com
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
**Kia Stephens** is the founder of Entrusted Women, which she created to equip Christian women communicators of color. A contributing writer for iBelieve.com, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and Crosswalk, she is a recurring speaker at She Speaks, the Beloved Women’s Conference, and the Entrusted Women’s Conference. Kia’s writing has been featured on (in)courage and Ann Voskamp’s blog. She has also been a featured guest on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Chrystal’s Chronicles with Chrystal Evans Hurst, Better Together with Barb Roose and The Dream of You Podcast with Jo Saxton. Kia is also the host of the Hope for Women With Father Wounds Podcast and she recently released her first book Overcoming Father Wounds. Kia would love to connect with you on her website, Instagram or Facebook.
Are you feeling spiritually malnourished? Like no matter how hard you try to make it through life, you still feel empty, tired, overwhelmed or exhausted?
In today's episode, Barb speaks with author Amy Seiffert about how we can experience life, fullness and satisfaction in Christ. In a world that is preoccupied with staying busy and checking a neverending to-do list, Amy challenges us to practice rest, remember the steadfast love and care of our God, and experience true peace and nourishment in Him.
Take a deep breath, grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee, and join us for this encouraging and uplifting conversation.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
amyseiffert.com
Starved: Why We Need a Spiritual Diet Change to Move Us from Tired, Anxious and Overwhelmed to Fulfilled, Whole, and Free
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Amy Seiffert is the author of Grace Looks Amazing on You and is on the teaching team at Brookside Church. She is an affiliate Cru staff member and a regular YouVersion Bible teacher. She loves to travel and speak (and try new foods on all her adventures!). Amy is married to her college sweetheart, Rob, and they live in Bowling Green, Ohio, with their three kids.
Would you say that your thoughts are more positive or negative? Too often we underestimate the damage that negative thinking and toxic beliefs have on our faith. Barb’s guest author, speaker and music artist Denise Pass discusses how to overcome negative mindsets and position ourselves fully in God’s truth and how we can live that out. As one who has faced some of life’s greatest disappointments and heartaches, Denise offers powerful Scriptural insights and hope for you today.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
denisepass.com
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life
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Listen to Denise's Podcast!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Biblical mindset coach, author, speaker, worship leader, songwriter, and podcaster, Denise Pass holds an MA in Biblical Exposition and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical Exposition at Liberty University. Denise is the author of Make Up Your Mind, Shame Off You, 31 Days of Hope Reinvented and creator of The Bible Tribe® podcast. Denise serves on the writing teams for P31 First 5 app and COMPEL blog, and writes for her ministry, Seeing Deep Ministries, encouraging women to overcome the battles of the mind with the word of God, heal shame and find hope in God’s word. Denise has also written songs that received radio play, including “You Are Worthy,” “Seeing Deep EP”, and songs from her album, Praying For You. Denise homeschooled her 5 children and she and her husband serve together at their church in Spotsylvania, VA, where Denise is the Director of Family Ministries and Worship Arts.
Do you believe in Jesus, love God, but you don’t trust what you see happening in church? In the wake of scandals, abuse claims and questionable leadership, perhaps you’ve grown weary and found yourself wondering whether the church is redeemable and whether you should even stay.
Today, Barb talks with author Kate Boyd about her new book An Untidy Faith and has an honest conversation that we believe will give voice to those of you who are desperately trying to hold on to your faith but you’re not sure what exactly your faith means anymore. Through her own journey of disentangling from toxic religion as well as her life-giving travels around the world to meet other believers, Kate talks about the questions that you’ve been afraid to ask and she casts a vision for how you may find freedom and joy in following Jesus again.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
kateboyd.co
An Untidy Faith: Journeying Back to the Joy of Following Jesus
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Listen to Kate's Podcast!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Kate Boyd is the author of An Untidy Faith (Herald Press, April 2023) and host of the Happy & Holy podcast. She helps recovering evangelicals and other weary Christians rebuild their relationship with Scripture and community and love God and their neighbors with their whole selves. She is currently pursuing a masters in theological studies with an emphasis in biblical studies at Perkins School of Theology.
When suffering, hurt and betrayal turns our world upside down, our emotions can easily turn from grief to anger.
Why did this have to happen? Will things ever go back to the way they were before? This isn't fair.
In moments of deep pain it can be tempting to feel angry at God, but today's special guest, Brad Hambrick, teaches us what it looks like to be angry WITH God instead. To grieve with him as a friend and not an adversary. Join us for this gentle, gracious, healing conversation about how we can invite God into our pain, even when things just don't make sense.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
bradhambrick.com
Angry with God: An Honest Journey through Suffering and Betrayal
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Brad Hambrick, ThM, EdD, serves as the Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, NC. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a council member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition.
He has authored several books including God's Attributes: Rest for Life Struggles, Making Sense of Forgiveness and Angry with God. Hambrick also served as general editor for the Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused curriculum.
Hambrick, his wife, Sallie, and two sons live in Raleigh, NC.
Have you ever felt like your faith is failing? Like your suffering and pain is just too much to handle?
Join us for today's conversation as Barb speaks with author and speaker, Michele Cushatt, about how we can develop a faith that will not fail. From divorce, to struggles with motherhood, to walking through three bouts of cancer, Michele is no stranger to suffering. Yet through it all, her faith has endured.
If you feel like you are at the end of your rope, you are not alone. There is hope, friend, even when it's hard to see it. May this conversation serve as a warm hug and a reminder that you are seen, known, and dearly loved.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
michelecushatt.com
A Faith That Will Not Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
As an experienced communicator, Michele Cushatt speaks internationally to a wide variety of audiences and has published three previous books, including Undone, and I Am. Her fourth book, A Faith That Will Not Fail, publishes March 2023. A three-time head and neck cancer survivor and parent of "children from hard places," Michele is a (reluctant) expert of trauma, pain, and the deep human need for authentic connection and enduring faith. She and her husband, Troy, share a blended family of six children, including biological children, stepchildren, and foster-adopt children. They live on eight acres outside of Denver, Colorado.
Who struggles with their body? Most of us do. Our guest, Jennifer Taylor Wagner, today shares her journey as a chronic dieter. After a lifetime of struggle she lost 150 pounds and kept it off. Instead of giving us meal plans, dieting tips, and rigid exercises, Jennifer teaches us how to make peace with food, to eat foods we love, and to nourish our bodies with foods we love. A recovering chronic dieter herself, Jennifer understands how hard it is to shift our mindset around food. As we embrace freedom in the foods we eat, we can walk toward our healthiest selves yet.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
jenniferwagner.co
Your Good Body: Embracing a Body-Positive Mindset in a Perfection-Focused World
Your Good Body Podcast
Check out Jennifer's YouVersion Devotional
Connect with Jennifer on IG!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Jennifer Taylor Wagner is an author, podcast host, and educator who challenges women to renew their mindset concerning health and wellness. As the author of Your Good Body, and the host of Your Good Body Podcast, Jennifer inspires us to see our current bodies in a positive light so that we can feel our best physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Relationships are messy because we live in a messy, sinful world. Is it truly possible to love the people in our lives who hurt us, disagree with us, or just rub us the wrong way?
Join us for today's conversation as Barb speaks with Becky Keife, general editor of Come Sit With Me: How to Delight in Differences, Love through Disagreements, and Live with Discomfort. After experiencing the divorce of her parents and the resulting tension she had to navigate for the majority of her life, Becky knows what it's like to be hurt by relationships. However she also has experienced God's redemption. Listen in as she speaks about learning how to listen well, stay curious, choose tenderness, and open our hearts to hope.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
beckykeife.com
Come Sit With Me: How to Delight in Differences, Love through Disagreements, and Live with Discomfort
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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Becky Keife is the Community and Editorial Manager for (in)courage. She’s also the author of several books including, No Better Mom for the Job, The Simple Difference, and Courageous Kindness. Becky’s newest release is the Create in Me a Heart of Peace Bible Study. In addition to writing and speaking about motherhood and countercultural kindness, Becky is a passionate mental health advocate. She tells her own unfiltered anxiety stories so others will feel less alone and be better equipped to see God in the thick of it.
Navigating conversations about race doesn't always have to feel like a minefield.
Join us for today's episode as we chat with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith and Lori Stanley Roeleveld, two unlikely co-authors who God brought together to write a book called Colorful Connections: 12 Questions About Race That Open Healthy Conversations. Together we will discover how to talk about race in a way that values the experiences of others, emphasizes listening over just getting a point across, and is filled with grace.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
colorfulconnectionsbook.com
Purchase your copy of Colorful Connections!
Connect with Dr. Saundra on IG!
Connect with Lori on IG!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUESTS
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a board-certified internal medicine physician, work-life integration researcher, speaker, and host of the I Choose My Best Life Podcast where she shares biblical ways to help you live fully, love boldly, and rest intentionally. Her previous books include Sacred Rest, Set Free to Live Free and Come Empty. Learn more at ichoosemybestlife.com.
Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a Christian coach, author, and speaker with degrees in psychology and biblical studies. Lori's previous books include Jesus and the Beanstalk and Running from a Crazy Man (and Other Adventures Traveling with Jesus). She also writes a popular blog at www.loriroeleveld.com.
Come laugh with us today on The Better Together Podcast! I’m talking with my longtime friend and Aspire Women’s Event sister, comedian Sally Baucke. Today, we are talking about tiaras, tweezers, and how to find healing in our hearts when life hurts. Sally grew up in a home where she didn’t always feel seen and loved but she now stands on stages across the country to make audiences laugh and so they know how much God loves them. If you need a dose of laughter and love, you don’t want to miss my chat with Sally!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
www.funnygalsal.com
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Sally Baucke (aka “Funny Gal Sal”) brings two decades of experience making audiences laugh hysterically while keeping it “Always Clean, Never Mean.” Funny Gal Sal artfully combines observational comedy and storytelling with a dose of refreshing hope (well, most of the time!). Funny Gal Sal is relatable to men and women alike because she has survived 38 years of marriage, motherhood and has experience as an RN to draw upon. She will leave you in stitches! If you love Jim Gaffigan or Brian Regan, you are going to love Sally, who has toured nationally with Aspire Women’s Events for many years. In addition to headlining her own shows at prestigious Funny Bone comedy clubs, Sally has wowed audiences at countless faith-based and corporate events nationwide. Sally has also been privileged to feature for amazing comics such as Jeff Allen, Chonda Pierce and NBC’s Last Comic Standing winner Josh Blue. Originally from Chicago, Sally resides in southwest Ohio with her brainy retired engineer (oh yes, lots of material there) and their sweet little Westie, Mabel, who sports a string of pearls. For Sally’s upcoming tour dates, visit her website at funnygalsal.com or facebook at FunnyGalSal. Contact Sally here to see how YOU can have Funny Gal Sal make your next event sparkle with her unique brand of club-funny-church-clean humor!
If your pastor called and asked if you would take in a Middle Eastern family who escaped from their homeland, what would you do? Chicago pastor, Joshua Sherif, escaped from his home in Egypt as a new believer to come to America. In this episode, Joshua and I talk about what it was like for him to leave his homeland, Islam, and encounter resistance in America. During our conversation, Josh tells us the 3 ways that believers need to stop hardening their hearts towards strangers and practical ways for us to love and disciple the immigrants and refugees that God puts in our path.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
The Stranger at Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Joshua Sherif was born in Egypt to a Muslim family and immigrated to the United States, where he later came to faith in Jesus. Before transitioning to a new role, he planted and pastored in Albany Park, Chicago, IL, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country for a decade. Joshua has enjoyed his years equipping and coaching other missionaries and pastors around the world. In his new role, Joshua now works bi-vocationally to equip churches to reach their cities. His story was featured in Love Costs Everything, a documentary produced by CIY and Voice of the Martyrs, concerning Christian persecution.
Calling all book lovers! If you are a fan of Christian fiction, then chances are, you’ve heard of best-selling author Tessa Afshar. Guess what?! I recently talked with Tessa and in this new episode, we’re discussing her new novel, The Hidden Prince, as well as Tessa’s fascinating background. She was born in the Middle East, survived boarding school in England and then moved to the United States and came to Christ in her 20s. During today’s conversation, you’ll find out about how Tessa writes novels to help you embrace God’s love and truth in powerful ways.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
tessaafshar.com
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Tessa Afshar’s book have been translated into 11 languages, and loved by fans around the world. Her novels have been on Publishers Weekly and CBA best-selling lists. Her book, The Way Home, God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, is the winner of the Christian Book Award in the Bible Study category. Afshar’s biblical and historical novels have won a number of awards including the Christy and INSPY, and been named as one of top five Christian fiction titles of the year by Library Journal. Tessa holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, where she was co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School for one year. She served in women and prayer ministry for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer and speaker. She is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an avid lover a chocolate.
Sometimes it’s hard to determine whether we are hearing God’s voice or whether it’s our own thinking. It’s possible to learn how to hear God’s voice in your life!
In this new episode, Barb talks with the founder of Equipping Godly Women, Brittany Ann about the 6 tips to help you hear God’s voice loud and clear in your life. Brittany Ann leads a large online community committed to helping Christian women live all in for Jesus. She’s a wife, mom, and Bible teacher who loves to challenge and encourage women to grow in their faith.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
equippinggodlywomen.com
Follow God's Will: Biblical Guidelines for Everyday Life
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Brittany Ann is an ECPA bestselling author, speaker, and founder of EquippingGodlyWomen.com, a popular Christian-living website dedicated to helping busy Christian moms find practical ways to go "all in" in faith and family. Brittany is the author of books including “Fall in Love with God’s Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women” and “Follow God’s Will: Biblical Strategies for Everyday Life.” Her work has been featured on CBN, The Christian Post, Crosswalk, and more.
It’s not over yet! If you are still breathing, then God has big dreams for you! Join me on this new episode where I’m talking with speaker, author, leader and someone that I’ve admired from afar for many years, Jo Saxton. She has powerful words and wisdom to share with you about owning your voice, living out your purpose and how to stop apologizing for your desire for more.
Jo is the founder of the Ezer Collective and dedicated to investing in women leaders around the world. She was born in Nigeria, raised in London and now lives in Minneapolis with her family. Jo's message will encourage and inspire you to go further than you ever could have imagined!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
josaxton.com
Jo's Upcoming Ezer Collective Events!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Jo Saxton is a speaker, podcaster, author, guest TV host and leadership coach. She is the founder of the Ezer Collective and dedicated to investing in women leaders around the world, equipping them to own their voice and embrace their purpose and catalyze their calling. Born to Nigerian parents and raised in London, England, Jo now lives in Minneapolis with her husband, and two daughters. She loves the everyday stuff like good music, good food, and good friends. And Target. She really, really loves Target.
When it comes to the topic of race and racial healing, many of us have one of two responses: hide away from the uncomfortable conversation or become overzealous and use our words to cut and hurt others. In today's episode, our special guest, Dr. Lucretia Carter Berry, shows us a new approach that is characterized by understanding, growth, and grace.
In today's conversation we talk about accepting God's call to dive into the deep (and at times terrifying) waters, taking the time to learn, and rising up to teach and educate our families as well as others in our lives.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
brownicity.com
Teaching for Justice and Belonging: A Journey for Educators and Parents
Hues of You: An Activity Book for Learning About the Skin You Are In
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Lucretia Carter Berry, PhD is an author, educator, speaker, and the founder of Brownicity, an agency committed to making important, scholarly-informed, antiracism education accessible, and the director of its learning community. With the tagline, Many Hues, One Humanity, Brownicity’s mission is to foster education designed to inspire a culture of justice and true belonging for all. Lucretia earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and MA in English from Iowa State University, and her BA from South Carolina State University. A former college professor, Lucretia’s research, experience, and accomplishments lie at the intersections of curriculum and instruction, antiracism education, and instructional technology. As a wife in an interracial marriage and mom of three multiethnic children, Lucretia brings her personal and professional experience to the public sector where she is passionate about serving children and their adult decision-makers. Her books, courses, and TED Talk quell fears associated with racial literacy. Her learning-centered approach is inspirational, appreciated, and celebrated. Lucretia is married to Nathan; they live in North Carolina with their three daughters and two aussie-doodles. Lucretia authored 'Hues of You - An Activity Book for Learning About the Skin You Are In' (2022), 'What LIES Between Us - Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing' (2016) and co-authored 'Teaching for Justice and Belonging - A Journey for Educators and Parents' (August 2022).
Are you grieving and desperate for people to understand how you really feel?
After author Gwendolyn Burton’s 26-year old son died suddenly from an epileptic seizure, no one around her could say anything to help her feel better. She’s spent years working through the grieving process and has captured her journey and the lessons learned in her new book “You Don’t Know Just How I Feel”.
During our conversation, Gwendolyn explains why we should never tell a grieving person, “I know just how you feel.” Grief is so personal, but in this episode, Gwendolyn shares practical boundaries, grief self-care, how to handle social media as well as how to find hope after devastating loss.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
gwendolynoburton.com
You Don't Know Just How I Feel
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
After three miscarriages and an adult son who passed away from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), Gwendolyn Burton is uniquely qualified to help others navigate their grief journey by discussing common challenges and misconceptions. She studied with grief expert David Kessler, founded Sisters in Solace (SiS), a support group for mothers of child loss, and is a Certified Grief Educator. Gwendolyn enjoys physical fitness and lives in Aurora, Colorado, with her husband, son, and three dogs.
If you find that you take a long time to process, feel emotions strongly, or can be highly stimulated by external factors such as scent and taste, chances are that you may be an HSP (highly sensitive person)! Today on the show, we have the pleasure of hearing from Cheri Gregory, an HSP and the co-creator of Sensitive and Strong, a place where fellow HSPs can grow, encourage one another, and discover the beautiful way that God has made them to function.
Being an HSP is an incredible blessing! So whether you think you may be one yourself or know others in your life who exhibit these characteristics, this episode is for you!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
sensitiveandstrong.com
Take the HSP Quiz!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Through Scripture and storytelling, Cheri Gregory delights in helping women draw closer to Jesus, the strength of every tender heart. She is the co-leader of Sensitive & Strong, the founder of Write Beside You coaching services, and coauthor of five books. Cheri speaks locally and internationally for women’s events and educational conferences. She and her college sweetheart, Daniel, have been married for more than three decades. They’ve spent the last 15 years living and serving on a Christian boarding school campus on the central California coast. You can connect with SensitiveAndStrong.com.
No matter how messy your story is or how challenging your past has been, your story is not beyond the reach of God's redeeming power.
Join us for today's episode as we chat with Bible study author, Shadia Hrichi, about her study Tamar: Rediscovering the God who Redeems Me. Tamar's story was FAR from neat and tidy, yet God used even the messy and broken parts of her life to ultimately accomplish His purposes. Have hope friends, your pain is never wasted.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
shadiahrichi.com
Tamar: Rediscovering the God who Redeems Me
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible teacher, author, and speaker who stirs the hearts and minds of her audience through personal story, illustration, and her unwavering confidence in the authority of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies as well as a master’s in criminal justice. Shadia is the author of several Bible studies, including TAMAR, HAGAR, LEGION, and WORTHY OF LOVE and the recipient of the 2022 WCCW “God’s Word is Alive” Award. Residing in northern California, Shadia is often invited to speak at churches, conferences, women’s retreats and other events, and loves to visit the ocean each week for “a date with Jesus.”
Do you struggle with fear, worry, or overwhelm? Sometimes our challenging circumstances can become the breeding ground for anxious thoughts that leave us feeling crippled and afraid.
Join us for today's episode as we dive into Philippians 4 with our dear friend, Jill Savage, as she shares how we can move past fear and anxious thoughts and lead lives of peace and trust. It is possible, friends, and we want to show you how!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
markandjill.org
NoMorePerfect.com
Mark's episode on The Better Together Podcast!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Jill Savage is an author, speaker, and coach who is passionate about encouraging and empowering others.
A graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, and founder of Hearts at Home, a ministry that served moms for 24 years, Jill now travels the world as an author and speaker. Called one of today’s most exciting Christian female speakers, Jill’s honest, engaging communication is strengthened by her ability to make her audience laugh while they learn.
Founder of the online Inspire Speaker Course, Jill is the author or co-author of fourteen books including the bestselling No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Kids, No More Perfect Marriages, and her newest release Empty Nest Full Life. She and her husband Mark have five children, four grandchildren, and a whole herd of barn cats.
We all have past mistakes and hurts that we cannot change, but we can choose to not allow our pasts to dictate our futures. Join today's conversation as Barb chats with her producer Tabitha about how we can let go of our pasts (while not ignoring the fact that they happened) and press forward in faith, peace, joy and obedience.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Follow Barb on Instagram!
Check out Tabitha's Blog!
ABOUT YOUR HOST
**Barb Roose** is a speaker and author who is passionate about teaching women to live beautifully strong and courageous so that they experience God’s great adventure of faith and purpose for their lives.
Barb is the author of multiple Bible studies including her newest study Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle and several books like Surrendered: 40 Days to Help You Let Go and Live Like Jesus.
Barb lives in NW Ohio and is proud mother of three adult daughters. Whenever possible, Barb prefers to eat dessert first. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
Is there something God is calling you to do but you just keep putting it off? Today's special guest, Shari Braendel, knows exactly how you feel. After sensing God calling her to use her passion for fashion to help those in the church, Shari put it off for 7 years before finally taking the leap, and now she is here to encourage us to take a step of faith too! It's time to stop waiting and debating and to start taking action!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
sharibraendel.com
stylebycolor.com
Follow Shari on Instagram!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Shari Braendel is president of Fashion Meets Faith and author of Help Me, Jesus! I have Nothing To Wear (Zondervan). As president of FMF, Shari has helped thousands of women reveal who they are in Christ and shine outwardly with confidence through her conferences, online instructional videos, podcasts, consultant training, and more.
As a Christian speaker, she has presented over 500 events in 18 states, including Hearts at Home, She Laughs, and She Speaks and has shared the stage with Nicole C. Mullin, Lysa TerKeurst, and Karen Kingsbury. She has appeared on Focus on the Family, The Total Christian Television Network (TCT), K-Love, Crown Financial Network, Moody Global Ministries, and more.
Shari saw firsthand that women didn’t recognize the beauty that God gave them and lacked the knowledge of how to dress themselves with confidence. She knows women often judge themselves based on the world’s standards and are forever coming up short.
As a fabulously fun fashionista, Shari takes women on a trip through the fashion DO’s, explaining why it’s important to dress the body they have, not the one so prominently displayed on the cover of the latest fashion magazine. With electric and exciting stage presence, Shari delivers a message that women no longer need to conform to the pattern of the world, but can be confident and self-assured no matter their size or shape.
In a world full of suffering, heartache, and bad news, many of us are feeling depleted, overwhelmed, and undone. If you are feeling worn out, there's good news: hope is alive. In today's episode, special guest and friend Susan Seay shares how we can walk victoriously despite our circumstances. Whatever you are going through today, we pray this episode helps you feel seen. You are not alone.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
susanseay.com
Follow Susan on Instagram!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Susan Seay has a highly engaging podcast- "Mentor 4 Moms" and she's also the Author of “The Intentional Parent: Parenting On Purpose When Life Gets Busy". As a wife and mom to 7, she understands the challenges of trying to raise kids in a noisy and distracted world. Her mission is to help families create a culture in their homes that is both on purpose and full of purpose. It’s what Susan refers to as - Intentional Parenting. Her commitment to being a Mentor 4 Moms on Intentional Parenting has given her the opportunity to share with women both locally and Internationally reaching women all over the globe. Every time Susan speaks her goal is to provide encouragement combined with helpful practical tools.
When life feels uncertain and we can't trace the hand of God in the middle of our trying circumstances, it can be easy to wonder if He's really there walking alongside us. In today's conversation we have the privilege of hearing from special guests, Amy Carroll and Lynn Cowell, about their new Bible study, Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain World. In this conversation, you will be encouraged with the reminder that God is always active, working out His bigger and better plan, even when we can't always see it in the moment.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
estherbookstudy.com
amycarroll.org
lynncowell.com
Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain World
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUESTS
Amy Carroll finds delight in gathering a community of women with tender hearts and strong voices. She’s a speaker and writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries, a speaker coach, and the author of Breaking Up with Perfect and Exhale. A woman who adores a great story and a challenging idea, Amy has branded co-hosting the Grit ‘n’ Grace the Podcast “one of my favorite things.” Amy and her husband live in lovely Holly Springs, NC where you can find her on any given day texting her adult kids, typing away at her computer, or trying to figure out one more alternative to cooking dinner. Lynn Cowell is part of the Proverbs 31 Ministries’ speaker and writing teams. She is the author of several books, writing for women of all ages. Lynn calls home North Carolina, where she and her husband, Greg, and the occasional backyard deer are adjusting to life as “just us”. Along with their three adult children, the Cowells love hiking, cooking, and anything combining chocolate and peanut butter.
Sometimes we can get so caught up in the everyday routines and busy schedules that we fail to take the time to slow down and truly connect with our families. In today's episode, Barb speaks with special guest and friend, Amberly Neese, about how we can start creating meaningful moments with our families by pressing in, building up, and prioritizing connection over perfection. This is an episode you won't want to miss!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
amberlyneese.com
The Belonging Project: Finding Your Tribe and Learning to Thrive
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Amberly Neese is a popular speaker/teacher, comedian, author, and all-around encourager dedicated to helping you become the joyful person you were created to be. She helps people like you experience the freedom found in meaningful relationships with God and others. Her bible study, “The Belonging Project: Finding Your Tribe and Learning to Thrive” was released in May 2020 by Abingdon Press. Amberly is a featured speaker for the Aspire Women’s Events and the main host and female comedian for Marriage Date Night, two popular Christian events that tour nationally. She and her husband have two teenagers and live in Prescott, Arizona, where they enjoy the great outdoors, the Food Network, and all things Star Wars.
After serving as a pastor for 20 years, Mark Savage hit a crisis point in his own life. There was a season where Mark turned his back on God, disconnected from his children, and had an affair. After a dark year, Mark experienced his own resurrection on an Easter Sunday long ago. He stopped fighting with God and began to climb out of the hole of his own making. Now, Mark helps others do the same. In this new episode of The Better Together Podcast, I’m thrilled to talk with my friend Mark Savage as he shares about 5 things that a struggling husband wished that his wife knew. Mark and his wife, Jill Savage (one of my favorite people!), speak internationally, and around the country. They also host marriage intensives in their home, helping couples in every stage of married life. Make sure to tell your girlfriends to check out this interview! RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE www.markandjill.org
No More Perfect Marriages by Mark and Jill Savage
Courses:
No More Perfect Marriages: Home Edition
The Wait is Not Wasted
Rebuilding Trust
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Mark Savage is an author, speaker, and marriage coach. After serving as a pastor for twenty years, Mark hit a crisis point in his own life. After a dark year, he stopped fighting with God and began to climb out of his hole. Now he helps others do the same. Mark and his wife Jill are the authors of No More Perfect Marriages and through their writing, coaching, and online courses they help individuals and couples find the hope and the help they need when crisis hits. The Savage’s make their home in Normal, Illinois.
If we pay attention to what’s happening in our world today, we may toss our hands up in the air and question whether or not anything that we do actually matters. Journalist Dianne Derby thought that she had all of the answers to a successful life but she was never satisfied. Everything changed when she met 100-year old World War II veteran, Jim Downing, at a luncheon. He asked her one question: “Would you like to meet the most fulfilled person you will ever know?” Join Barb on this new episode of The Better Together Podcast as Dianne shares from her new book Two Hundred Tuesdays, and the life-changing conversations that she had with Jim. If you are longing for a life of significance and sweet satisfaction in Christ, you won’t want to miss this conversation!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Two Hundred Tuesdays by Dianne Derby
Connect with Dianne on Facebook!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
An award-winning journalist, Dianne Derby is a longtime television anchor who is currently coanchor for the KOAA News5 weekday team in Colorado Springs. She met Jim Downing at a luncheon for World War II veterans and learned from him every Tuesday for the next five years. Dianne is originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and holds degrees from Florida State University, the University of Miami, and the University of Florida. She and her husband live in Colorado Springs with their young daughter and three rescue dogs.
Where is God in the middle of our suffering? How can we come to grips with the goodness of God when so much in life just doesn't seem to make sense?
Join Barb on this new episode of The Better Together Podcast as she speaks with special guest Alexandra V. Hoover. From poverty to abuse to abandonment, Alexandra knows what it looks like to walk through suffering that she just couldn't come to grips with as a young Latina. It was not until she took the time to look back and trace the hand of God in her life that she was able to begin receiving the healing that she desperately needed. And now she wants to help you do the same. This is a powerful conversation that will speak to your heart and remind you of the goodness of God in your past and in your present.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Eyes Up: How to Trust God’s Heart by Tracing His Hand
alexandravhoover.com
Instagram: @alexandravhoover
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Alexandra V. Hoover is a wife, mother of three, daughter, sought-out speaker, and writer. She’s passionate about communicating the gospel’s beauty and hope, whether through writing or speaking, online or in person. Her words spur people on to hope, healing, and their mission. She has the privilege of serving on staff at Transformation Church and spends her days loving on her family, dancing with her kids, and living on mission right where God has her.
Sometimes, you and the girls have got to get away! God gave us friendships to nurture our hearts, minds and souls in a special way that family may not be able to do. Getaways give us an opportunity to see our lives from a fresh perspective. So, when we combine girlfriends and getaways we give God room to show up in a significant way! Join Barb and travel expert, Wendy Anderson Schulz, for a fun and practical conversation about getaways, girlfriends, Jesus, and Italy!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
https://wendyandersonschulz.com/
Instagram: @wendyandersonschulz
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Wendy Anderson Schulz is the founder of Adventures Together, which leads modern pilgrimages for Christian women to France or Italy. She is also a writer and speaker who is passionate about encouraging women in their faith walk. Wendy is married to her college sweetheart Pete, and has two daughters.
God doesn’t hate divorced people! However, if you’ve gone through divorce, you may have been left with the impression that He does. On today’s Better Together podcast, Barb talks with with best-selling author Tracie Miles about her new divorce recovery resource, Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Workbook. Six and half years ago, Tracie went through a divorce after experiencing the devastation of infidelity, addiction and finally abandonment. As a Christian woman, she knows what it’s like to experience the shame, hopelessness and fear. However, in today’s conversation, Tracie shares her story of how God healed her, how she learned how to trust Him again and as a result, Tracie learned how to love life again and experience God in new life-giving ways.
If you or someone that you know has going through a divorce and need to know that hope and healing is possible, this is the episode for you!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Living Unbroken
Living Unbroken: A Divorce Recovery Workbook
https://traciemiles.com/
Tracie's Facebook Page
Instagram: @traciemiles
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Tracie Miles is the Director of COMPEL Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as an Author of five best-selling books including Living Unbroken, Love Life Again, Unsinkable Faith, Stress Less Living and Your Life Still Counts. She is the founder of the Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Program. Tracie is also a contributing author to the popular Zondervan NIV Women's Devotional Bible and a monthly contributing writer for the Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today daily devotions which reach over 1.5 million people per day around the globe. Tracie has 3 grown children and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Connecting with God doesn't have to be rigid or just about following a bunch of rules. Today's conversation is about relaxing our minds and minds and positioning ourselves to see where God is at work and receive what He speaks to us.
Join Barb and her longtime friend and editor, Sally Sharpe, as they discuss how we can be open and honest about our spiritual needs and the amazing truth that we are loved, seen, heard, and known by God.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
https://www.sallysharpe.net/
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Sally Sharpe is a certified spiritual director who companions others on the spiritual journey, providing a safe where they can share their stories, explore their relationship with God, and attend to their souls. With a long career in Christian publishing, she has acquired and edited Christian living books and devotionals as well as developed and managed a line of in-depth Bible studies called Abingdon Women. In addition to offering spiritual direction, Sally enjoys leading workshops and retreats on topics such as journaling, prayer, and other spiritual practices. She and her husband, Neil, have two adult daughters and live Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, just outside Nashville.
It can be easy to just read the Bible as one big storybook without realizing it is filled with diversity and genres that can help us understand it in a much deeper way. Join Barb and author Kristie Anyabwile for an insightful conversation as she shares about her book, Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study, and shows us how we can all understand God's Word better!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
https://kristieanyabwile.com/
Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study
Connect with Kristie on Instagram!
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Kristie is the author of Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study (Spring 2022), and editor of His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God. She is a Bible teacher at Anacostia River Church, and an instructor for several ministries that equip women to study and teach the Bible, such as The Charles Simeon Trust and Bible Equipping. Kristie is also a founding member of The Pelican Project, a women’s theology organization. Her work can be found at The Front Porch, The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, Christianity Today, and Revive Our Hearts. She is a pastor’s wife and has been married 30 years. She and Thabiti have 3 children and live in Washington, DC.
Few groups in America feel the sting of negative stereotypes more than young, African Americans. Whether it’s assuming that every young, black woman aspires to be in a rap video, or that every young black male is a gang banger or a drug dealer, those stereotypes undermine the truth that we are surrounded by countless numbers of young, gifted and black souls.
Join Barb and award-winning author and therapist, Sheila Wise Rowe, for an eye-opening, powerful yet tender conversation about the celebration as well as the lament that young, African Americans grapple with each day. If your heart’s desire has been to see people through the eyes and heart of God, this is a conversation that you don’t want to miss.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
sheilawiserowe.com
Young, Gifted, and Black
Young, Gifted, and Black by Nina Simone (song)
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Sheila Wise Rowe is a truth-teller who writes passionately about matters of faith and emotional healing. She advocates for the dignity, rights, and healing of abuse survivors, those carrying racial trauma, and racial conciliation. Sheila holds a Masters degree in Counseling and has lived in the USA, Paris, France and Johannesburg, South Africa. For over twenty-five years she has been a counselor, educator, writer, spiritual director, and speaker.
Sheila is a member of the Community Ethics Committee of Harvard Medical School, a policy-review resource for it's teaching hospitals. She is a member of the Redbud Writers Guild and writes essays for several publications including; The Redbud Post, Mudroomblog.com and READY Publication.
Sheila co-authored with her husband Dr. Nicholas Rowe, The Well of Life: Heal Your Pain, Satisfy Your Thirst, Live Your Purpose. Sheila's essay; Awakened to Adventure is found in the anthology by Leslie Leyland Fields entitled; The Wonder Years: 40 Women Over 40 on Aging, Faith, Beauty, and Strength. Her 2020 book, Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience (IVP) was awarded the 2021 best book in Christian Living/ Discipleship by Christianity Today.
When Sheila is not writing or counseling she creates art, and crafts or searches for treasures in local antique and thrift shops.
From the top of our head to the tips of our toes, every woman wants to know that she is beautiful. Author, Dorena Williamson, dreams of teaching brown-skinned little girls that they are beautiful in a world that doesn’t always tell them that.
In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, you’re invited into a precious and tender conversation about the battle for beauty as a black woman, and how we can teach young girls, especially black girls, God’s beautiful truth about them. We’re also going to spill the tea on the secrets of black hair!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
dorenawilliamson.com
The Celebration Place
Crowned with Glory
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Dorena Williamson loves the power of a good story and writes children’s books that adults need too. She is the author of ColorFull, ThoughtFull, and GraceFull, and forthcoming books include A Celebration Place (IVPKids) and Crowned with Glory (WaterBrook Multnomah). She and her husband Dr. Chris Williamson planted multiethnic Strong Tower Bible Church in 1995 and they have four teenage and adult children.
Everything on social media screams that we are not good enough. We are not young enough, skinny enough, popular enough, or wealthy enough. But it’s all lies! You are God’s beloved daughter and made in His magnificent image.
On this episode of The Better Together Podcast, Barb’s guest, Aubrey Sampson, talks about her new book Known: How Believing Who God Says You Are Changes Everything and how we can let go of the false labels that leave us feeling ashamed. Aubrey shows us how to let go of self-doubt and embrace God’s best!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
http://www.aubreysampson.com/
Known
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Aubrey Sampson serves on the teaching and preaching team at
Renewal Church in West Chicago, which she co-planted with her
husband, Kevin. Aubrey writes regularly for Christine Caine’s Propel Women and has contributed to Proverbs 31, Ann Voskamp’s A Holy Experience, Christianity Today, and more. She also speaks at churches and events around the country. Aubrey has her master’s degree in Evangelism and Leadership from Wheaton College and is the co-host of The Common Good daily talk show and the Nothing is Wasted podcast. Deeply passionate about helping hurting Christians find healing so that they can fully embrace their God-given identities and purposes, she has authored three books, Overcomer, The Louder Song, and her latest, Known. You can connect with Aubrey on Instagram @aubsamp.
Perhaps you or someone that you know can relate to sitting in church on Sunday wracked with guilt and shame over what happened a few hours earlier on Saturday night. What’s the next step if you realize that you want to experience God’s forgiveness and grace because the path that you’re on is breaking your heart and ruining your life?
Join Barb and her guest, Erin Kui for a conversation about finding freedom from temptation, sexual sin and the meaningless pursuit of the next party. Erin will tell us about the two praying women in her life, the small group at her church that cared, not condemned her and how God led her to new life in Christ.
This is the perfect episode for anyone who feels like they are too far gone to deserve God’s favor. It’s not true!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Fun and Holy
One Transforming Love by Erin Kiu
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Erin Kiu is passionate about helping women have a transforming relationship with Jesus while attracting their future husbands along the way. After experiencing her own transformation with God, Erin published her first book, One Transforming Love, as a Christian Fiction novel to inspire other young women to discover the love of Jesus while pursuing godly relationships.
Erin is a blogger at Fun & Holy, a blog and community for women that provides biblical solutions to real-world issues that young women face. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin on the beach or biking along the coast with her husband in San Diego.
Are there pressing questions on your mind about your sexuality as a single Christian woman but you don't know where to have that open and honest conversation? On this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Barb talks with author and podcast host, Kat Harris, who has a passion for coming alongside women and helping them understand God's good design for sex while also saying goodbye to sexual shame.
In this conversation we talk about ALL.THE.THINGS. and don't shy away from questions like, "What is sex?", "Is it okay to masturbate?", and, "Is anyone else still waiting for marriage?"
Prepare for a power-packed, vulnerable and grace-filled conversation.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Kat's Website
Sexless In The City
The Refined Collective Podcast
Instagram: @therefinedwoman
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Kat Harris is the host of The Refined Collective Podcast, and Co-Founder of the online publication The Refined Woman. Her first book Sexless in the City will hit bookstores April 2021. She has also been a full-time photographer for the last decade with her work featured in: Vanity Fair, GQ, Forbes, People, Who What Wear, US Weekly, Glamour UK, and more.
She coaches and equips women all over the world in dating, relationships, singleness, sexuality, faith and how to build a renewed and healthy biblical sexual ethic rooted in freedom, truth and grace as opposed to the oh-so-common shame and fear narratives so many experienced growing up in evangelical culture.
Kat loves God, personal development, a good Beyoncé dance party, + is a Ranch dressing connoisseur. She believes in the power of story, that done is better than perfect, quality triumphs quantity, and that the journey truly is the destination. Ultimately, her vision is for women to know their beauty, identity, worth and value and to experience untapped freedom and joy in their lives
regardless of their relationship status.
On this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Barb talks with a woman who spent a lot of her life feeling guilty and now teaches other women how to walk in God’s victory and grace.
Amy Martinez is a former radio show host, speaker, and author who is devoted to helping women with heart-shattered lives to become whole again in Christ. Barb and Amy discuss the overwhelming guilt that we can feel after making mistakes and how we can trust God’s Holy Spirit to transform our mess if we are movable and teachable. If you’ve felt haunted by the mistakes of your past, this episode is for you.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
AmyElaine.com
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Amy Elaine is an inspirational speaker, former radio show host, and gifted teacher. Her ministry is devoted to helping women with heart-shattered lives become whole again in Christ. She loves to tell the story of how Jesus made her a broken girl made whole through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Married to the love of her life, David, Amy Elaine is a mom of two boys now young men, Sidney (25) and Gabriel(22). She also has a daughter-in-love Riley and recently became "Yia Yia" to Raelynn Rose Elaine. Recently she left her beloved Colorado mountains to play on the plains of Historic Guthrie, Oklahoma. Most days you'll find her at a local coffee shop writing or ministering across the table to a friend. Her heart's desire is to see women walk in wholeness and develop an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Living the victorious life is one of the major themes of her ministry. She's available to speak at your next women's event. You can connect with her at: AmyElaine.com
There are times in life when it all falls apart and we wonder if we’ll ever be right again. Barb’s guest today declares that we can believe that God is the God of second chances! Barb’s guest, best-selling author Kathleen Y’Barbo, was sure that her career was over after divorce in 2003. Instead, Kathleen realized that God was there when she was certain that He wasn’t, and He was working out a plan for her that she never could have imagined. Seventeen years later, Kathleen is the traditionally published author of more than 100 books that have sold two million copies in the US and abroad.
In this episode, Barb and Kathleen talk about second chances, learning how to wait on God, and her newest book, The Yes Dare. This is a conversation you won't want to miss!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
kathleenybarbo.com
The Yes Dare
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee and bestselling author of more than one hundred books with over two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she is a member of the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division, Texas A&M Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Women Former Students (Aggie Women), Texas Historical Society, Sisters in Crime, and American Christian Fiction Writers.
Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back. They make their home just north of Houston, Texas and are the parents and in-laws of a blended family of Texans, Okies, and a family of three adorable Londoners.
Are you a people pleaser? Today’s conversation is so good and so needed! Join Barb and her friend best-selling author Karen Ehman for a much needed, soul-freeing conversation about her new book, “When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable”. Karen will tell you how to break the pattern of people pleasing and confidently live your life in a way that pleases God while still loving others. Oh, and you’ve got to hear Karen’s 7 “stop it” statements for people pleasers!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
www.karenehman.com
When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Karen Ehman is a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker, a New York Times bestselling author, and a writer for Encouragement for Today, an online devotional that reaches over 4 million people daily. She has written seventeen books including Keep It
Shut, Pressing Pause, and Keep Showing Up. Karen’s passion is to help women to live their priorities as they reflect the gospel to a watching world. Married to her college sweetheart, Todd, Karen is the mother of three, and mom-in-law of two. She enjoys antique hunting, cheering for the Detroit Tigers, and feeding the many people who gather around her mid-century dining table for a taste of Mama Karen's cooking.
Why do Christian women report sexual satisfaction rates 47 points lower than their husbands? What if Christian women experience lower sexual satisfaction because of how we teach about sex in sermons and popular marriage books?
These provocative questions are answered by Sheila Gregoire, author of the new research based book, The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You’ve Been Taught and How To Recover What God Intended. Sheila and Barb dive into an honest, controversial, yet absolutely necessary conversation about marriage and everything that Christian women are taught about sex. Sheila teaches us that great sex is the fulfillment of a longing for intimacy rather than just one-sided pleasure. In our conversation, she is going to equip us to see sex as God intended: personal, pleasurable, pure, prioritized, pressure-free, and passionate.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
To Love, Honor, and Vacuum
The Great Sex Rescue
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Sheila Wray Gregoire is the face behind ToLoveHonorandVacuum.com, the largest single-blogger marriage blog. A sought-after speaker, she's also an award-winning author of nine books, including The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex. Sheila has a Masters in Public Administration and Master of Arts in Sociology both from Queen's University. Sheila built the successful blog, To Love, Honor, and Vacuum, with traffic of one million page views a month. Her email list is 45,000 strong and her social media reach is over 100,000. Her podcast, Bare Marriage, has more than 5,000 downloads each week. She is an award-winning author with seven royalty published books. A sought after speaker, Sheila has spoken at churches and conferences around the globe. She is a frequent contributor at Family Life Canada events. Her latest book, "The Great Sex Rescue" was featured in the New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly, and the Washington Post. She has bylines at Religion News Service, Relevant Magazine, and other news sources. Sheila and her husband Keith, a pediatrician, live in Belleville Ontario. They have two grown daughters and one very adorable grandson who lives down the road. She enjoys hiking, birdwatching, RV camping trips, and board games. And she knits - even in line at the grocery store.
Marriage is a good thing! God is still raising up the next generation of husbands and wives who are passionate about godly marriage.
If you are a parent of young adults, you don’t want to miss this episode as Barb talks with Malachi and Courtney Green about hope for marriage and the lessons that they are teaching about God-honoring marriage to the next generation. Malachi and Courtney are passionate about growing together as a couple as well as growing God’s kingdom. In this episode, they are sharing with Barb and Tabitha important lessons that you can share with the young adults in your life.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Malachi and Courtney's YouTube Channel
As You Wait Academy
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUESTS
Malachi and Courtney Green are the Pastors of Heart of God Ministry although online many know them as The Greens. Their mission is to normalize Christ and never dilute his power. Their ministry focus is to train, and disciple Christians in all aspects of life. They also share a strong passion for Christ centered singleness and relationships.
NOTE: New episodes of the Better Together Podcast are released every first and third MONDAY of the month!
It takes a lot of courage to go on an overseas mission trip. Barb has served on 10 trips to Central America over the past 15 years. Without a doubt, saying yes to an overseas mission trip can change your life and revolutionize your faith. However, it’s important to show up with humility vs. expecting that another culture will look like our country.
Join Barb for an important conversation with speaker and missionologist, Mekdes Haddis. She is the author of the upcoming book, Just Missions, to help missionaries and ministry leaders engage in healthy conversation and discuss the harmful effects of western missions. Mekdes answers the 5 crucial questions that you need to ask before your next overseas mission trip. Ultimately, she equips us to show up and to show love in a way that honors God and respects others.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Mekdes' Website: mekdeshaddis.com
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Mekdes was born and raised in Ethiopia and moved to the United States in 2003 to pursue her studies. She has her Masters' in Organizational Leadership and a forthcoming book with IVPress and currently lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, daughter, and son.
After 10+years of developing Discipleship and Outreach strategies in evangelical churches and non-profits, she grew impatient with the lack of mutuality and respect for leadership of those from global south. To break the cycle of harmful physical and spiritual impact of missions locally and globally and to elevate the voices of the unheard, Mekdes left her full time ministry role to start JUST MISSIONS.
JUST MISSIONS is a space that elevates diaspora voices and equips western allies to become mutual partners for the work of the gospel. It aims to forge the path of leaving a relational legacy surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. She is now the Executive Coach and actively developing strategies to train individuals and organizations with a fresh look at missions for global impact.
Her writing has been featured in Christianity Today! and Faithfully Magazine, as well as used by organizations like the American Bible Society and YWAM.
Do you ever feel like, you know you should love God’s Word, but you struggle with opening up your Bible and believing what it says?
In this episode, Barb speaks with author Tricia Lott Williford as she shares her story of loss, heartache, and learning to trust God and His words, even in the painful parts of her life. Whatever hurt or heartache you are walking through right now, you are not alone. Let's draw near to God together!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Tricia's Website: tricialottwilliford.com
"This Book Is For You" by Tricia Lott Williford
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST
Tricia writes, blogs, co-hosts the "Let's Talk Soon" podcast with her brother Rob, and speaks about faith in the face of loss / and hope when the miracle isn't yours. With raw transparency, honest grief, laughable joy, and a captivating voice, she shares the hard pieces of her story—and the redemption God offers in the midst of it. Tricia is the author of Just. You. Wait.; You Can Do This; And Life Comes Back; and Let's Pretend We're Normal. She also lives in Colorado with her family.
"My God is the author of resurrection." -Laney Houser
From the outside, everyone assumed that Laney Houser was a superwoman and had it all. She was a pastor's wife, had two Masters' degrees and owned a successful counseling practice.
However, behind the successful and shiny veneer of ministry and career success, Laney didn't want people to know that she was crumbling from the inside out. For years, she didn't want to admit it to herself. Finally, the toll of living in an abusive marriage, excessive overworking and a chronic health condition pushed Laney over the edge into a complete mental health breakdown.
In this episode of the Better Together podcast, I talk with Laney about her decision to let go of everything in her life and check in for in-patient treatment to recover from her breakdown. It's a story that Laney is proud of because she explains that letting go of the life that was killing her opened the door for God to resurrect a new life filled with new purpose, passion and most of all, healing.
Now, she is living with pure joy each day and describes herself as "miracle-ly married" for the past 31 years as she and her husband both sought God's forgiveness, treatment and individual accountability to deal with the abuse situation in their home.
In this week's episode, Laney and I discuss:
- What are the signs of mental health breakdown?
- Identifying marriage abuse and why a woman shouldn't attend marriage counseling with her husband if he is abusive.
- Wisdom on how to safely exit a potentially abusive outburst from a spouse.
- The power of letting go and how God can bring healing, restoration and freedom from even the lowest points in our lives.
Now, Laney is a coach and enjoys teaching people how to live in joy and freedom. She says, "If you don't like the life that you're living, you can change it."
Laney is also the host of the Unstoppable Women's Conference, an online event in December. Laney and I recorded an interview and we had a great time discussing what it means to be an unstoppable woman who lives with purpose in each. You can find out more information by clicking here.
RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:
Connect with Laney Website | Facebook | Instagram
Register for Unstoppable Women's Conference
Butcher Box
Good Housekeeping article on Dirty Dozen and Clean 15
About today's guest:
Laney Houser is a joy-filled health and happiness coach who loves coaching successful Christian women to live with purpose and passion. Her curiosity and love for learning has helped her complete two Master’s Degrees; one in Counseling and one in Theology, and certification in life coaching and health coaching. She is an emotional eating and eating disorder specialist and is currently working on her first book. She’s got three fantastic grown kids, two of whom are married, and an awesome husband of 31 years. When she’s not reading a good book she’s hanging out with her amazing family hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing and just enjoying the great outdoors where she lives in beautiful Bend, Oregon.
About your Better Together Podcast Host:
Barb roose a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: I'm Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God's Delay and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb is the proud mom of three adult daughters and lives in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
“Being strong isn’t about perfection and it’s not about having it all together. It’s about having the tools to shift and turn it around when we’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted and looking for a pathway out.”
-Susan Seay
How do you define a "strong woman"?
This is one of those phrases that represents what we want to be, but often we never quite feel strong, especially when our lives are filled with struggle. Strong isn't having it all together and strong isn't perfection. In my experience, I've learned that strength is often something that I can't always see in myself, but I can make decisions that will make me strong - whether I feel it or not.
On today's Better Together podcast, my friend Susan Seay shares the three decisions that can start making today that will infuse your life with strength. Best of all, today's conversation is deep and 'fo real! As a wife and homeschool mother of 7, Susan talks about tough family challenges that their family has navigated such as parenting, marriage struggles and work-life balance issues.
She's the author of Intentional Parenting: Parenting on Purpose When Life Gets Busy and speaks nationally at conferences and events. Susan hosts a highly engaging podcast called the "Mentor 4 Moms" podcast.
Imagine what it would feel like each day for you to wake up with the:
Strength to face any challenge;
Strength to overcome failure;
Strength to go for your dreams;
Strength to trust God no matter what happens!
If you want to have this kind of strength, buckle up and press play for today's conversation. You deserve to invest these 30 minutes in yourself, your life and your future.
What are the three decisions that strong women must make?
- A strong woman establish an answer to the question “Who is God?” (Warning: This question has two different meaning, so listen as Susan brilliantly explains!)
- A strong woman determines what it means to live intentionally in her present moment.
- A strong woman are committed to trusting that better days are ahead
RESOURCES FROM TODAY'S PODCAST
Connect with Susan on Facebook | Instagram
Susan's Mentor 4 Mom Podcast
Better Together Episode - "Intentional Motherhood" Podcast
Better Together Episode - "You aren't a bad mom" Podcast
About today's guest:
Susan Seay has a highly engaging podcast- "Mentor 4 Moms" and she's also the Author of The Intentional Parent: Parenting On Purpose When Life Gets Busy.
As a wife and mom to 7, she understands the challenges of trying to raise kids in a noisy and distracted world. Her mission is to help families create a culture in their homes that is both on purpose and full of purpose. It’s what Susan refers to as - Intentional Parenting. Her commitment to being a Mentor 4 Moms on Intentional Parenting has given her the opportunity to share with women both locally and Internationally reaching women all over the globe. Every time Susan speaks her goal is to provide encouragement combined with helpful practical tools.
You can find out more about her work and stay connected by visiting SusanSeay.com
About your Better Together Podcast Host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: I'm Waiting, God: Finding Blessings in God's Delay and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb lives in NW Ohio and she's the proud mother of three adult daughters. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
TRIGGER ALERT Today’s podcast episode contains highly sensitive content that may cause distress or anxiety depending on your background or current situation.
The recent suicide death of billionaire financier and alleged sexual predator, Jeffrey Epstein has escalated the public’s debate about justice for sexual abuse victims. Behind the headlines are countless, nameless faces of humans who’ve suffered humanity's most intimate violation at the hands of another, yet suffer once again because their courage to voice their pain or story is often questioned, even dismissed.
“Are you sure that happened?”
“What were you wearing?”
“Are you making this up to get attention?”
“Why didn’t you say anything before?”
Rocked by high-profile sexual misconduct allegations, the evangelical church’s shortcomings in responding to and protecting the victims of sexual abuse within their walls were largely thrust into the limelight in 2018.
Mary DeMuth, an advocate, survivor of sexual abuse, and a popular evangelical author, helps church leaders identify and enact biblically infused responses in order to truly welcome and care for those who’ve survived abuse—and are leaving the church in droves—in We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis (Harvest House Publishers, Aug. 13, 2019).
On today’s episode of the Better Together podcast, Mary shares her story of being sexually abused as a child, how others responded, and most of all, Mary shares how discovering the gospel saved her life. Now a passionate advocate for sexual abuse victims, Mary talks about her experience at this year’s landmark Southern Baptist Convention, including a harrowing tale of what it took for her to get there. I watched the drama play out in real time on Facebook. Friends, it was like everything evil was trying to keep her from getting there!
As hard as it is to listen to Mary’s story and as painful as it is to acknowledge how often Christians and church leaders have failed to listen to, acknowledge, and assist sex abuse victims, Mary’s message today is grounded by hope that we can do better!
“My hope in writing this book is to slowly change the dynamic of trust by encouraging the church to become a consistent place full of kindness and safety for those who have been exploited,” writes DeMuth. “My holy longing is that we can create such a haven for the sexually broken that they’ll be able to be loved, feel joy, and revel in relationship.”
RESOURCES FOR THOSE WHO’VE FACE SEXUAL ABUSE – YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
- SURVIVOR’S RESOURCES - https://www.wetoo.org/21days
- CHURCH RESOURCES - https://www.wetoo.org/churches/guide/
- VIDEO: Mary’s letter to the boys who molested her - https://www.wetoo.org/the-letter-i-wrote-5-years-later/
- Link to Southern Baptist Convention Report: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/faqs-southern-baptist-release-critical-report-sexual-abuse/
About Today's Better Together Guest:
Mary DeMuth is an author, speaker, and podcaster who is passionate about helping you live a re-storied life. A survivor of neglect and sexual abuse, Mary was gloriously rescued by Jesus when she was 15. She has spent her life healing from trauma so she can help others not feel so alone. She is the wife of Patrick and mom of three adult children. For more information, visitwww.wetoo.org.
About your Better Together Podcast Host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: I'm Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God's Delay (Sept 2019) and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb is the proud mother of three adult daughters. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
Are you feeling scared, frustrated, or insecure about the world that you live in?
How in the world do we stay hopeful and positive with so much negativity around us?
On today's episode of the Better Together podcast, I'm talking with one of my longtime friends, Melissa Spoelstra. She's a powerful Bible teacher as well as well-known speaker and author about her brand new Bible study, Romans: The Good News that Changes Everything.
Melissa and I sat down to talk just a few days after I returned home from El Paso, TX where I'd traveled to welcome home my oldest daughter, Kate, after her 9-month deployment to the Middle East. If you're connected to me on social media, you saw that on my last morning in El Paso, we were at the mall close to the Wal-Mart where the tragic mass shooting happened. In fact, the store we were shopping in went on lockdown and for several minutes we were deeply concerned that the shooter was in our area.
As I reflect on the tragedy of El Paso, the shooting in Dayton less than 12 hours later, and all of the other rapid-fire madness happening in our world, I've had to intentionally focus on God's good news. Perhaps today's podcast episode is what YOU need to focus on God's good news instead of being overwhelmed while watching our national news.
In today's podcast Melissa shows up as our Bible teacher and good friend to share with us about:
- How do we hold onto God's hope when we see so much bad news?
- How do we know when we're headed in the right direction in life?
- For our personal struggles with hardship, heartache or sin, what does God say to us that reminds us of just how much we matter to Him?
CONNECT WITH MELISSA - Website | Facebook | Instagram
About Melissa Spoelstra:
First and foremost I am a Christ-follower. I am madly in love with Jesus and addicted to the study of His Word. I am passionate about knowing Christ and inspiring other women to seek Him by opening our ears to listen to His Spirit, reading His Word curiously, asking questions, exercising good hermeneutics, and clinging tightly to God through the storms of life. Talking about this stuff is much easier than actually living it out in everyday life.
As wife to my awesome church planter husband Sean, and mother to four great kids, Zach(22), Abby(19), Sara(19), and Rachel(16), I am working out my faith on a daily basis. Between sports practices, doctor's appointments, church stuff, and the minutia of everyday life, I need God's Word to draw me back to the things of first importance.
Other stuff about me. I have a degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute. I'm a regular contributor to Girlfriends in God online devotional and Proverbs 31 Ministries First Five App. I've written 6 women's Bible studies (Jeremiah, Joseph, First Corinthians, Numbers, Elijah, and Romans) as well as Total Family Makeover (2016), Total Christmas Makeover (2017), 30 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Stamina (2018), and Dare to Hope(2019). I'm following God through every door He opens and pray that all glory in these endeavors is His alone.
About your Better Together Podcast Host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: I'm Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God's Delay (Sept 2019) and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage, and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb is the proud mother of three adult daughters. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
Is the empty nest on the horizon?
Are you trying to figure out how to let go or figure out who you are now that the kids are grown?
If so, you're in the right place!
Welcome to a new season of the Better Together Podcast where we find the hope, the help, as well as practical next steps so that we can all get better together!
To kick of off our new season, I'm talking with my friend, Jill Savage about the empty nest season of life. This year, my last child moved out of the house and after nearly 27 years of raising children, I loved this conversation with my wise and fun friend!
Jill is the author of the new book, Empty Nest, Full Life: Discovering God's Best for Your Next (August 2019). In today's episode, Jill shares the follow with us:
- Wisdom: Jill tells us what empty nest moms need to let go of and what to hold on to.
- Encouragement: Are you struggling with tough situations and feeling discouraged? Jill talks about how she navigates parenting adult children dealing with mental illness, homosexuality, and children far from God.
- Finally, Jill shares relationship-saving practical ideas to keep your relationship with your kids even when they're making decisions you don't agree with.
- GET AWAY! Listen for details on Jill's Empty Nest Mom Retreat on October 25-27, 2019 at the Chaira Retreat Center. You totally want to check more details out at www.emptynestbook.com.
CONNECT WITH JILL!
You can find Jill online at www.jillsavage.org and www.NoMorePerfect.com.
About today's guest...
Jill Savage is an author, speaker, and coach who is passionate about encouraging and empowering others. A graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, and founder of Hearts at Home, a ministry that has served moms for 24 years. Jill now travels the world as an author and speaker. Called one of today’s most exciting Christian female speakers, Jill’s honest, engaging communication is strengthened by her ability to make her audience laugh while they learn.
Founder of the online Inspire Speaker Course, Jill is the author of seven books and the co-author of five including the bestselling No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Kids, No More Perfect Marriages, and her newest release Empty Nest, Full Life. She and her husband Mark have five children, four grandchildren, and a whole herd of barn cats.
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest release: I'm Waiting God: Finding Blessing in God's Delay Bible Study, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Bible study and Winning the Worry Battle book. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage, and Women of Faith.
Barb lives in NW Ohio. She's the proud mother of three adult daughters. Her perfect day includes a long walk, reading a book, and enjoying a big bowl of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
What makes your home beautiful is YOU!
-Tracy Steel
Do you love design shows like “Fixer Upper” or anything else on HGTV? Most of us would love for Joanna Gaines or the Property Brothers to stop by and give our homes a fresh look! However, I’m talking with my friend and fabulous interior designer, Tracy Steel about how you can freshen up your heart and your home this summer.
Make sure to check out the photos of Tracy’s beautiful home on the blog page. Not only is she a military wife, mother of two, and a talented designer, but Tracy just graduated from Phoenix Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies in May 2019. She loves teaching God’s Word and equipping people to fully embrace the space they’re living in.
In today’s Better Together podcast, Tracy shares five ways to freshen your heart and home by combining wisdom from God’s Word with practical design advice:
- Look up (ceilings/Colossians 3:1-4)
- Clean up (declutter/Colossians 3:5-8)
- Brighten/Change up: (re-polish/repaint/refurbish walls/doors, change out accessories/Colossians 3:12-14)
- Hang up: (picture wall/ Colossians 3:15)
- Open up (doors/windows/Colossians 3:16)
Tracy’s new book, A Redesigned Life: Uncovering God’s Purpose When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned releases this August 2019. Listen to the podcast to learn more about some of the free and fun giveaways Tracy will offer – like a FREE design consult!
CONNECT WITH TRACY STEEL Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
About Today's Guest Tracy Steel...
Tracy Steel graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Interior Design in 1998. Eager to change her clients’ lives by improving the interior space they occupied, she thought she had the blueprints for her future completed. In the midst of designing corporate spaces and sorting through fabric samples, Tracy fell in love with Jesus Christ and He changed everything. Since 2001 Tracy has been involved in youth and women’s ministry and served as the Director of Female Students from Scottsdale Bible Church from 2005–2007. In May 2019, Tracy graduated from Phoenix Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Biblical and Theological studies, and is the author of Images of His Beauty and A Redesigned Life. But Tracy is most proud of her military man and of her two spirited kiddos that call her mama. To learn more about Tracy, please visit tracymsteel.com
About your Better Together Host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb lives in NW Ohio and she is the proud mother of three adult daughters. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
"MOM! What are we going to today?"
It's summertime, mamas! Either your kids are out of school for the summer or you're counting down the days, summertime is a HUGE change for a family schedule.
If you want to have a great summer with your kids without losing your mind, join me for my conversation today with speaker, author and mom of five, Katie M. Reid.
On today's Better Together podcast, Katie shares five fabulous tips for you can set your family up for success this summer.
Katie is a national speaker, singer/songwriter, and author of Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done. She holds a Masters Degree in Secondary Education and has been published on sites like: Focus on the Family, TODAY's Parenting Team Blog, Crosswalk, Proverbs 31, and HuffPost. Katie is a fan of musicals and cut-to-the-chase conversations over tea.
During today's conversation, Katie shares the following five ideas:
-
Choose a landing spot in the house for summertime gear
-
Create a family summer activity list
-
Give everyone a morning chore
-
Stick with summer meals
-
Participate in a family reading challenge
To help moms kick the summer off right, Katie has recently launched a new video series titled, "Stress Less, Smile More" that you can find out more about by clicking here.
CONNECT WITH KATIE Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
About your Better Together Podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
“Single women, we must refute ALL the lies that we’ve started to believe.”
I had a sensational conversation with speaker, author and single parent coach, Kaywanda Lamb. We met last fall while speaking at a conference in Louisiana. Within seconds of meeting Kaywanda, I knew that I’d made a new friend. She’s beautiful, brilliant, authentic and deeply wise.
A high school Spanish teacher by day, Kaywanda has raised two handsome sons on her own. She began coaching single parents while her boys were young and to support her family, Kaywanda returned to school to advance her education and obtain a Masters in Spanish.
During our conversation today, Kaywanda is going to speak right to heart of single women who are searching, wondering and maybe afraid that they’ll never find a wonderful man who’ll love and cherish them. In fact, Kaywanda shares five lies that women often believe. Here they are:
Lie #1. “I don’t think that anyone will ever want me.”
Lie #2. “I feel like married women have it better than single women.”
Lie #3. “I’ll never get married because I’m too old.”
Lie #4. “A guy isn’t going to want me because I’ve been single too long.”
Lie #5. “Because I have kids, no one will want to marry me.”
If you are or have believed any of these lies, you MUST listen to this episode because Kaywanda walks you through these lies with God’s truth and practical advice to help you walk in freedom!
In this episode, there is so much encouragement to single women who are feeling down and rejected because they are alone. Here’s some of the encouragement that Kaywanda shares:
- You have to live like what you have is enough right now;
- You are worthy;
- You have everything you need right now because God loves you and He is looking out for you.
CONNECT WITH KAYWANDA Website | Facebook | Instagram
Kaywanda Lamb is an author, speaker, blogger, soon to be podcaster, and The Winning Single Mom. Her journey to being a sought out speaker, encourager to single moms everywhere, and a transformational business coach began when her boys were just 2 years old and 2 months. Kaywanda had a choice to make: to stay in a relationship that didn’t honor her or to raise her boys as a single mom. She decided to #doitanyway and has spent the last 16 years showing other women they, too, can parent, thrive, and win. She returned to college 4 times in that span, holds a Masters in Spanish Literature, runs 3 businesses, and is a certified principal. Her motto is “do it anyway!” because you can dream about it or you can be about it. Check out her website for upcoming events and coaching information.
Are you a mom who is constantly giving? Giving your time, energy, and emotions to your kids, spouse, your job and your community?
This episode the Better Together podcast is for all the moms out there who feel like they are along in the jungle of managing kids, homes, unrealistic expectations and the pressure to be all things to all people. Motherhood is no joke - and it ain't for wimps!
I remember going almost 13 years without a FULL NIGHT'S SLEEP. I was a zombie y'all. There were the times when I was so distracted that I forgot to send in a form...or forgot to pick up a kid after school. I beat myself up endlessly over the times when I lost my temper or I chose to run errands instead of sit down and read a book with my kids.
After all of the ups and downs of motherhood, do you want to know the best lesson that I've learned? It's actually something that I repeat to myself many days of the week - and I hope that you might do the same. Here it is: "Barb, be kind to yourself. You're doing the best that you can."
You are doing the best that you can. But, during the Better Together podcast, this is a place where you can learn how to get better in the places that you know that you need to get better.
Today's conversation is with Kristen Funston, author of the new book, More for Mom: Living the Whole and Holy Life - Isn't that a great title! In this really real convo, Kristen and I discuss why moms often feel like they are left out of Jesus' abundant life promise in John 10:10. We also talk about how to keep from losing it big over everyday things like when the kids leave their shoes in the middle of the floor (even though you've told them for the 100th time to pick.them.up!)
Sweet mom, you haven't done anything for yourself today, listen to today's conversation. It's my gift to you!
P.S. In the podcast intro, I also share a fun tip of what I used to do when I got tired of hearing my kids constantly "MOM!" You can use this tip, too. And you're welcome - ha!
PODCAST RESOURCES:
Kristin Funston Website | Facebook | Instagram
More for Mom: Living Your Whole and Holy Life
About Kristin:
With a passion for writing, Kristin Funston encourages women in a way that is relatable and practical, with a healthy dose of humor. In addition to be a writer, Funston is a member and employee of Hope Presbyterian Church and works as the Marriage and Family Coordinator and a leader in the women’s ministry.
Convinced “balance” is a myth, Funston is also passionate about helping and encouraging women to embrace their current season and experience God in the everyday. She shares her humor and writing on motherhood on her blog and has been featured on multiple other blogs including The Better Mom, City Moms Blog, TODAY Parenting, and Scary Mommy.
Funston has a master’s degree in Communication Studies from New Mexico State University. A mom to three girls and not-so-domestic wife to an entrepreneurial athlete, Funston and her family live outside of Memphis, TN. "More for Mom" is her first book. Learn more at KristinFunston.com. She is also active on Facebook (KristinDFunston) and Instagram (@kfunston).
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
What do we do when God says no to what we've been praying for?
If you've clicked over to this podcast, let me tell you right now: You're supposed to be here right now. I don't even know about your life. But, I know that you need to click play on this episode and hear what my friend, Janet McHenry, has to say. She's the best-selling author of the book, Prayer walk, and the author of the newest book, The Complete Prayers of Jesus.
Today, Janet speaks powerful, divine wisdom into the hard question: What do we do when God says no?
He didn't heal your loved one;
He didn't stop your parent from abandoning you;
He allowed the divorce to happen;
He hasn't rescued your child from drugs;
He's allowed your financial or legal trouble to cost you everything.
You aren't alone if you're confused or angry because God hasn't answered your prayer the way that you'd hoped. There are verses in the Bible about God giving us the desires of our heart and God invites us to ask Him for anything. Yet, how do we reconcile God's command for us to pray and ask Him for anything, but He doesn't give us everything that we want. It's confusing, right?
As she walks us through Jesus' prayers, including the prayer where God says no to Jesus, Janet explains God's ultimate purpose for us in prayer. Her teaching is so, so, good! If you are hurting or angry at God, BUT you want to have a relationship with Him, then listen. If you're angry with God and not quite ready for her message today, that's okay. You can email me at barb@barbroose.com and share your story with me. I'd love to pray for you.
In today's episode, Janet and I discuss:
- The two-sided coin prayer that Jesus prayed - and we can pray this, too!
- Three actions that Jesus took when God said no to Jesus' prayer - and we must do this, too!
- Janet shares the story of what happened in her life when God said no and even as the worst case scenario happened, Janet discovered the blessing that happened even when God said no.
About Janet McHenry Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
Facebook Live Program: The Prayer Experiment at 12 PM PST
Israel Trip for Christian Writers/Speakers
The Complete Prayers of Jesus by Janet McHenry
Janet McHenry is an award-winning speaker and the author of 24 books, including the bestselling Prayer Walk and her newest, The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus. Director of the prayer ministries at The Bridge Church in Reno, she prayer walks with her community in the Sierra Valley in northern California, where she and her rancher, husband Craig raised four children.
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest the releases Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Bible Study and Winning the Worry Battle book. An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb lives with her family in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
Do you struggle with being a Christian who loves Jesus BUT still suffers with depression? If so, STOP RIGHT NOW and listen to today's Better Together podcast!
“I asked God to take it away a lot. And He didn’t.
So I had to rethink what He might mean by leaving it there.”
-Melissa Maimone, author of The Radiant Midnight
Melissa Maimone is a Christian speaker and writer who teaches women that an authentic life in Christ can be messy and magnificent at the exact same time. With her unique blend of theology, humor and insight, Melissa provides down-to-earth lessons, practical applications, and life-changing perspectives to real women who are living real lives in the midst of real problems.
Using scripture, art, storytelling and lessons from her own battle with depression, Melissa demonstrates that the light of JOY can be found even in dark places.
Friends, I LOVED my conversation with Melissa because we're talk about depression, mental health and how to live WELL in hard times. So, so good! And I’ve read and proudly endorsed her new book, The Radiant Midnight: Depression, Grace and the Gifts of a Dark Place. It’s a must-now read if you’ve struggled with depression or just being in a hard place in life. Melissa shows us how God brings beauty and grace into the darkness of Midnight; sometimes we just need someone who has been there too helpus discover it.
Here are some highlights from our conversation today:
- That God isn't waiting for us to get it together.
- That there is no darkness too dark for God.
- That the purpose of suffering isn't simply to get out of it.
- That we can have Joy in the midst of difficulty.
CONNECT WITH MELISSA Website | Facebook | Instagram
The Radiant Midnight by Melissa Maimone
Melissa Maimone is a Christian speaker and writer who teaches women that an authentic life in Christ can be messy and magnificent at the exact same time. With her unique blend of theology, humor, and insight, Melissa provides down-to-earth lessons, practical applications, and life-changing perspectives to real women who are living real lives in the midst of real problems.
About your Better Together host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
She is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb lives in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
Are you tired? Does taking a day off to rest seem impossible?
Listen to one of Barb’s teaching messages on the topic of REST. The big idea of her message is this: We are blessed when we rest.
In this upbeat and equipping message, Barb talks about why and how Jesus championed rest for us.
Some of the highlights from this message:
- We are blessed when rest.
- When we are exhausted, sin starts looking good.
- Rest realigns us with God’s purpose for our lives.
- Rest reconnects us with God.
- Rest revives us.
Sabbath (Rest Day) Prayer: God, I will rest in you today. I will be blessed as I rest today. I trust that you are my provider and I give you what I have and trust you for what I don’t.
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
When I use the phrase "racial justice" how do you feel?
Perhaps you're feeling uncomfortable or you're frustrated because you love people like Jesus does so a conversation about race feels unnecessary. As an African-American woman who also loves Jesus, I promise you, this conversation is necessary. And I want to give you permission to feel uncomfortable and even disagree with what you hear - as long as you're willing to stay engaged and don't give up on listening!
In today's Better Together podcast, I'm talking with author Cara Meredith about her new book, The Color of Life: A Journey Toward Love and Racial Justice. She's a Caucasian-American woman who married an African-American man named James Henry Meredith, who happens to be the son of Civil Rights activist and icon, James Howard Meredith. Not sure who he is? Cara talks about her father-in-law at the beginning of our conversation and here's an article where you can see photos.
Here's what Cara and I talk about in this episode:
- Her father-in-law, James Howard Meredith and his pivotal role in US Civil Rights;
- Why Cara decided to lean into racial justice instead of assume that it wasn't her fight;
- Why the term "white privilege" is uncomfortable or offensive to some Caucasian-Americans;
- Practical tool that Cara uses to engage in conversations about race when she doesn't understand or agree.
Connect with Cara Meredith: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
About Cara...
Cara Meredith is a spiritual writer, speaker, and sought-after conversationalist. The Color of Life, a spiritual memoir about her journey as a white woman into issues of justice, race, and privilege, released last month from Zondervan. She holds a Masters of Theology from Fuller Seminary, writes for numerous print and online publications, and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
Are you a caregiver who would love it if someone would stop and ask how YOU are doing?
In our culture today, many women find themselves caring for older parents or chronically ill loved ones. Even as medicine has advanced so much, the support for the endless job of caregiving hasn't kept pace. How do you stay uplifted and encouraged when carrying the responsibility of caring for a loved one?
On today's Better Together Podcast, I'm talking with Sarah Forgrave, author and speaker who loves encouraging others toward a deeper walk of faith. As one who experienced several years of surgeries and slow recovery, Sarah understands the fears and frustrations of not getting better. But, as the caregiver after her sister's heart transplant ten years ago, Sarah also learned many lessons about the the difficulties of caregiving.
Her prayer devotional for those dealing with medical illnesses, Prayers for Hope and Healing, released with Harvest House Publishers in 2017. Sarah's newest book, Prayers of Hope for Caregivers, releases April 2nd.
Today, Sarah ministers to those of you who wish that someone could explain how it feels to carry the weight of another's care. We talk about when not to take things personally and how to clarify expectations. I love that Sarah speaks openly and honestly about suffering and how it drew her closer to God. So much good stuff today!
In addition to blogging about prayer, faith, and friendship on her website, Sarah is a monthly contributor to TheChristianMommy.com and has contributed to Guideposts’ A Cup of Christmas Cheer and many other websites and anthologies. Outside of writing and speaking, she is the busy mom of two preteen children and the wife of an energetic entrepreneur and toy inventor. When she has a moment to herself, she loves to shop the aisles at Trader Joe’s or curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.
CONNECT WITH SARAH: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Prayers of Hope for Caregivers by Sarah Forgrave (Release April 2019)
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies. Her writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage, and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
"Prepare your bucket list and live your life well.”
These are the words a doctor spoke to Heather Dixon in 2015. She's speaker, author and bible teacher who understands the challenges of living with a story that is not easy.
Diagnosed with an incurable and terminal genetic disorder that she inherited from her mother, Heather is passionate about encouraging and equipping women to trust in God, face their greatest fears, and live with hope, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances.
When she is not blogging at The Rescued Letters or speaking at women’s conferences and events, Heather loves to make the most of everyday moments such as cooking for her husband and son, brainstorming all the possible ways to organize Legos and superheroes, checking out way too many library books, or unashamedly indulging in her love for all things Disney.
Heather is the author of Ready: Finding the Courage to Face the Unknown and a regular contributor to Journey magazine. Her second Bible study, Determined: Living Like Jesus in Every Moment, a six-week study of Luke, will be available in April 2019.
In today's podcast episode, Heather and I discuss:
- The blessings of daily "Bucket List" living;
- How God used her young son to draw her back into faith after the sudden loss of her father;
- How we can pursue spiritually abundant living;
- How Jesus modeled intentional living for all of us because he knew that his life on earth was limited.
CONNECT WITH HEATHER: Website | Facebook | Determined: Living Like Jesus in Every Moment Bible Study
About your Better Together Host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
"Hope is knowing that one day I will hold my babies in heaven." -Kaila Mugford
Today's episode is one of the most powerful and emotional conversations that I've ever had on the Better Together podcast.
I'm talking with my brave and courageous friend, Kaila Mugford about her journey as a mother with two children living with her on earth and two precious little boys in heaven. If you or a friend has suffered a miscarriage or infant loss, Kaila's speaks with bare honesty and vulnerability about her complicated feelings about God, faith, others' advice and how to stand by friends who suffer a miscarriage or infant loss. After you listen to today's episode, please share it with a grieving friend and let her know that you love her.
Kaila blogs about her family’s grief and loss of two children at kailamugford.blogspot.com. Writing is healing for her, and she hopes that her words can bring comfort to others grieving too.
LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW:
Kaila's blog
Still Standing Magazine
Did you grow up in a home where things were kept silent? Did your parents ask you to keep secrets or warn you not to talk about certain family problems outside of the house?
In today's Better Together podcast, we're talking about how to stop suffocating in silence and learn how to have hard conversations. Even as Jesus taught that the Truth of the gospel would set us free from eternal condemnation, we also know that speaking God's Truth also frees us from the strongholds of secret sin, generational curses and other dysfunctional behaviors.
My guest is Lori Roeleveld, author of the new book, The Art of Hard Converations: Biblical Tools for the Tough Talks that Matter (2019). Today, Lori explains why we struggle to have hard conversations and how to learn how to have them.
I know first hand how secrets are strongholds that can drain the hope of even the strongest families. If you've been sitting in silence and afraid of speaking up for any reason, Lori's words just might be divine timing for you.
Here's what we'll cover:
- Three conversational styles: Turtle, Hawk or Chameleon;
- Two questions that you need to ask before beginning a hard conversation;
- How to create a safe culture in your home so that you kids learn how to have healthy hard conversations;
- How to embrace hard conversations with adult kids and not alienate them.
Connect with Lori!
Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter
The Art of Hard Conversations Book
About today's guest...
Lori Stanley Roeleveld is an author, speaker, and disturber of hobbits who enjoys making comfortable Christians late for dinner. Biblical, funny, and real, she inspires courage and Christ-centered confidence. She’s authored three non-fiction books including Running from a Crazy Man, Jesus and the Beanstalk, and the upcoming, The Art of Hard Conversations, as well as a novella, Red Pen Redemption. Though she has degrees in Psychology and Biblical Studies, she learned the most from studying her Bible in life’s trenches. Blogger. Wife. Mother of adults. Part-time giant-slayer. Not available for children’s parties. Though she once tried to escape, she adventures with Jesus in a small town in Rhode Island where her husband is renovating his dream house. To join the adventure, knock on her door at www.loriroeleveld.com.
Did you grow up with a father who was absent from your life? Have you felt the emptiness and ache that accompanies the absence of his love and involvement?
On this week’s episode of Better Together, I’m talking with Kia Stephens about her story, her healing and her mission to help women deal with their father wounds. Kia is the found of the Father Swap Blog as well as Entrusted Women, an online community to encourage, equip and uplift writers, bloggers, speakers and authors who happen to be women of color.
She a wife and homeschooling mom of two who is passionate about helping women know God as Father. For this reason, she created The Father Swap Blog to help women exchange their father wounds for the love of God the Father.
During today’s podcast, Kia will talk about not only the definition of a "father wound", but she's explain how this kind of loss can wreck woman’s emotions and relationships with men if unaddressed.
When a father isn't a part of a woman's life, that loss can have a painful and negative impact on her relationship with God. If you've struggled with God because of your relationship with your father, Kia will speak to that struggle. She will share how her relationship with God helps her to walk in freedom and healing as well as practical tips, like how to write a forgiveness letter.
One of my favorite parts of the episode is when Kia preaches scriptural truth to us, especially if you’ve felt unloved, rejected, unwanted or alone, let her bless you with God’s truth.
Do you know a woman that you know struggles with the pain that comes with not having a loving or attentive father in your life? Please make sure to share this podcast on your social media.
LINKS TO RESOURCES
- Kia's Contact Info: Father Swap Blog | Entrusted Women Facebook
- Entrusted Women Retreat - June 27-29, 2019
- How to Forgive a Father Who Wasn't a Good Dad by Kia Stephens
- Free eBooks! Hope for Women with Father Wounds and Forgiveness Hacks
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
Are you a woman that likes to get things done?
If you’re love to-do lists, then you’re going to love my conversation with Katie M. Reid, author of Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done. Katie is a self-described modern-day Martha who struggled with the well-known story of two women with two different approaches to life in Luke 10.
Have you ever read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10? It’s a story of two women named Martha and Mary. In one particular situation, Martha worked to get her home prepared to offer hospitality while her sister, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. When Martha asked Jesus to instruct Mary to help, Jesus answered with the following words: “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all of these details. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 NLT)
Too many of us have read this story and walked away with the conclusion that Jesus was criticizing Martha for trying to get things done. However, Katie challenges us to consider that Jesus didn’t condemn Martha’s method. Rather, Jesus invited her to change her mindset. Instead of being worried and distracted, Martha was encouraged to experience Jesus’ inner peace instead of trying to live up to unrealistic expectations.
So, if you’re made like Martha and you’re tired of trying to do it all, live up to unrealistic expectations or you’re beating yourself up for not being perfect, today’s conversation is just for you.
Join today’s conversation and listen as Katie and I discuss:
- How to stop beating yourself up for being a hard-working Martha;
- How to say “yes,” “no” and most importantly, when to ask for help;
- How to swap out trying to balance our lives and learn how to “steward” our lives instead;
- Helpful tips to enjoy being made like Martha and get things done without getting burnt out.
Bonus! Talk back to us and share your answers to the following:
- Should bathroom toilet paper be hung over or under?
- Do you squeeze toothpaste be squeezed from the middle or rolled from the bottom?
- Do your fold or crumple your toilet paper before wiping?
LINKS FROM TODAY'S EPISODE
Katie M. Reid Website | Facebook | Twitter
Made Like Martha: Good News for Women Who Like to Get Things Done
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
“Never give up!”
That’s the philosophy of Vicki Fitch, an award winning leader, international business consultant and direct sales expert. If you’ve ever dreamed of making extra money to support your family through direct sales or multi-level marketing companies that offer great incentives with flexible schedules for your family, then you’ll definitely want to listen to Vicki’s story on today’s Better Together podcast.
Vicki started her first business when she was 12 years old. She purchased her first home at 19 years old and began her first company a year later. As a “serial entrepreneur,” Vicki builds and sells business as a way of life. She’s been in the direct sales business for 20 years, consistently performing at the top 1% of her company and winning the kinds vacations, trips and bonuses that we dream about for our families.
But, Vicki’s “never give up” philosophy comes from the difficult experiences in her early stages of her life. In today’s conversation, Vicki and I discuss her struggle to feel loved and valued by her parents as well as her volatile first marriage to a drug addict. As Vicki shares her life and her success, you’ll be encouraged by her authenticity and vulnerability when talking about the highs and lows of her life. Vicki and I are tall girls who share a love of high heels and we share a lot of fun moments during today’s conversation.
If you are a leader who dreams of achieving big goals, you’re going to absolutely love my conversation with Vicki. In this episode, you’ll learn more about:
- Dealing with the bullies in your mind that undermine your confidence;
- Why mentors are important if you want to achieve your highest dreams;
- How do identify whether or not you’re an entrepreneur (even if you think that you’re not).
- Why Vicki is so passionate about her new global initiative’s #youareenough as well as her #12books12months goal of writing 12 books and 12 months – this is a great story!
About Vicki Fitch...
Vicki lives in Southern California with her husband, Terry and their two boys. She is blessed to have two amazing stepchildren and five grandchildren that fill Vicki’s heart with great joy. Her business is her ministry and she believes that God has blessed her greatly and she gives back every chance that she can.
LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW:
Vicki Fitch Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Join Vicki's campaign to support her journey!
About your host, Barb Roose
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
How do we teach our kids about God when we don't know all of the answers?
How do we get our kids to participate in family devotions when they don't want to sit still?!!!
Take a deep breath, Mom and Dad. God knows that you're doing the best that you can. When it comes to teaching our kids about Jesus, you don't need to know the answers and there are some fabulous resources to help you out!
On today's Better Together podcast, I had the most delightful conversation with author, Sarah M. Wells. She's the author of the new resource The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture.
Mom or Dad, if you're reading this today and you're worried about messing up your kids' spiritual growth, relax. It's okay to not have all of the answers. You've got permission to say, "I don't know the answer to that, but let's keep reading and see what we can learn."
Sarah wrote the Family Bible Devotional as a faith-building experience to give parents confidence in helping their kids fall in love with Jesus. It includes with 52-devotionals BUT there are NO dates because real life rarely sticks to a schedule! Sarah totally understands the up-and-down rhythm parents face. She deals with that in her own family. "We'll be solid in reading the Bible and doing lessons for a few days and then, a few weeks will go by because life got busy." Sarah says that they just keep at it.
So friends, listen to Sarah's encoruagement today if you've been feeling discouraged about teaching your kids about God OR if you're not even sure where to begin.
In this episode, we'll talk about:
- How to set realistic expectations for family devotion time;
- Why we feel intimidated talking to our kids about the Bible;
- How to engage your kids in family devotions - even if their not sitting still.
LINKS FROM TODAY'S PODCAST:
Sarah Wells website | Facebook | Twitter
The Family Bible Devotional
About Sarah M. Wells
Sarah Marie Wells is the author of The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture (Discovery House Publishers, Fall 2018), a novella-length essay, The Valley of Achor, available on Kindle, a collection of poems, Pruning Burning Bushes (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2012), and a chapbook of poems, Acquiesce, winner of the 2008 Starting Gate Award (Finishing Line Press,2009). Poems and essays by Wells have appeared recently in Ascent, Brevity, Full Grown People, Hippocampus Review, The Pinch, River Teeth, Rock & Sling, Under the Gum Tree, and elsewhere.
Sarah serves as the Director of Content Marketing at Spire Advertising and as Associate Editor for River Teeth: A Journal of Nonfiction Narrative. She resides in Ashland, Ohio with her husband, Brandon, and their three young children, Lydia, Elvis, and Henry.
About your Better Together podcast host...
BarbRoose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
When we are intentional moms, it assists us in becoming less-stressed moms.
When we bring our babies home from the hospital, our dream is to raise them in a happy and healthy home. But, from the time that we get pregnant or we announce plans to adopt, others begin giving us their opinions about what we should or shouldn't do. If we're not careful, other people's input will confuse us and add a lot of stress to our already busy lives.
Today, I'm continuing my fun and freeing conversation with my friend, Susan Seay. If you listened to part one of our interview, the podcast ended with Susan saying that she hit the wall after the birth of her seventh child.
"I became so burdened with my efforts to be a “good mom” and trying to do all the things a “good mom” should do. My list of “should’s” was so long I was ready to give up. In fact, I did give up. I announced it one night at dinner with a simple. I announced to my husband: “I’m done!” - Susan Seay, speaker and author
During this episode, Susan shares about the crucial conversations that she had with her husband, Ron about their individual expectations of what it meant to be a good mom and a good dad. In Susan's effort to be a great mom and Ron's drive to be a great dad, the couple discovered that their unspoken expections actually drove a wedge in their relationship with each other.
As you listen to Susan talk about how they worked through this challenge to their marriage and family, you'll love her sense of humor and insight. Ultimately, Ron and Susan discovered the key to reshaping their family and unifying them for the future.
What you'll hear in this episode:
- How core values can keep your family focused and help you make decisions with less conflict;
- Why Susan always lets her kids let go of a hug first;
- How Susan uses technology to stay connected with her kids;
LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW
Susan Seay Website | Facebook | Choosing Your Values Podcast
About Susan…
Through the “Mentor 4 Moms” Podcast and the relatable style found in her book The Intentional Parent: Parenting On Purpose When Life Gets Busy, you get a sense of Susan’s heart to provide encouragement to moms combined with helpful practical tools. As a wife and mom to 7, she truly understands the challenges of trying to be an Intentional Parent. Susan has been a mentor to women locally in Austin, Tx and Internationally for over a decade.
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
I became so burdened with my efforts to be a “good mom” and trying to do all the things a “good mom” should do. My list of “should’s” was so long I was ready to give up. In fact, I did give up. I announced it one night at dinner with a simple- “I’m done!” -Susan Seay, mother of seven (yes, seven!)
Mom, do you ever “should” all over yourself?
- I should do another load of laundry…
- I should stay up late and make cookies for my daughter’s class…
- I should volunteer to drive carpool, even though I’m working late this week.
Sometimes those “should” feel so heavy and make us feel like we’re buried under unreasonable expectations.
If you’ve ever struggled with the “should,” you’ll love my conversation with my dear friend, Susan Seay. She’s a speaker and author living in Austin, TX. Susan and her husband, Ron are the parents to seven, yes seven kids. Not only that but Susan is a homeschool mom, who also supports and consults with other homeschooling on a national level.
Susan and I have been friends online for almost a year, but we met IRL (in real life) in July at the She Speaks Conference, hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Susan actually flew from her home in Texas to help me out with my workshops –that’s a great friend! On top of that, I got to see Susan in action as she provided gentle and loving encouragement to every woman who crossed her path. If you meet Susan, she’s going to make your life better, whether you talk to her for one minute or an hour.
As a speaker and author, Susan’s wheelhouse is that she is a mentor for moms. And as the mother of seven, she’s got some great expertise in that area.
During our Better Together conversation today, Susan talks about a trap that is so easy for moms to fall into - the quest to be the mom that tries to do everything.
Susan and I will discuss:
- The crazy questions that people ask when they find out that she has seven kids;
- A GENIUS trick that Susan used when her kids lost their minds in the grocery store;
- What unreasonable expectations makes moms tired and discouraged;
- Stories of encouragement that will put a smile on your face;
- Overcoming the trap of perfection.
About Susan Seay…
Through the “Mentor 4 Moms” Podcast and the relatable style found in her book The Intentional Parent: Parenting On Purpose When Life Gets Busy, you get a sense of Susan’s heart to provide encouragement to moms combined with helpful practical tools. As a wife and mom to 7, she truly understands the challenges of trying to be an Intentional Parent. Susan has been a mentor to women locally in Austin, Tx and Internationally for over a decade.
LINKS
Susan Seay Website | Podcast | Intentional Parenting Book
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
I want your love - to be unrestrained - tearing down walls - breaking these chains. -"Unrestrained", Changed Album
If you've ever listened to a contempary Christian radio station anywhere in the world, then you've heard of the Grammy-nominated, Dove Award winning band, Sanctus Real. (Feel free to do the loud crowd cheering here...)
In today's Better Together podcast, I'm talking with Mark Graalman, Sanctus Real's drummer and original band member. A life-long native of Toledo, OH, Mark is also on staff on Vineyard Church. He's married to his beautiful wife, Susan, and they are the parents of three boys.
Mark and I had a great time talking about the early days of Christian music as well as what it was like to start a Christian rock bank back when organs reigned supreme and drums weren't totally accepted in traditional churches. He talks about having no idea as a teen guy that he would end up playing in stadiums around the world to groups up to 120,000.
Talk about cool.
Then, Mark talks about coming from a line of "strong and silent" men in his family. However, Mark discusses how his quiet persona covered for a difficult battle with anxiety that he's battle for much of his life. While women struggle with anxiety more often then men, that doesn't mean that there are millions of men around the country dealing with "worst-first thinking" as author Lenore Skenazy calls it.
In today's episode, Mark and I discuss:
- How Mark managed his anxiety when playing in front of tens of thousands of people in stadiums;
- A practical anxiety-fighting tool that Mark shares that folded up and fit in his pocket - you can use this tool, too!
- The spoken word poem that Mark wrote for Sanctus Real's new Changed record.
Mark Graalman Facebook | Twitter
Sanctus Real Website | Changed LP
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
"God, I can't do this."
In 2006, speaker and author Gail Cooper spoke these desparate words on her knees in a field on the way to where rescuers were looking for her 21-year old son. He'd been canoeing with a friend right before college graduation when his canoe went under - and Gail got the call in the middle of the night.
One of the goals of my Better Together podcast is to talk about real life issues that live deep in the souls of women. One of those issues is grief. These days, grief is a daily part of my life in losing my father and father-in-law in the past year. But there are other forms of grief - a lost dream, losign a job, divorce or marriage crisis. Friend, it's okay to give yourself permission to grieve if you've lost something important that you loved.
Grief is a part of life, but when we're afraid to feel grief or even talk about it, grief becomes a prison. How do we learn how to embrace grief as a process that God can bless with purpose?
Gail shows us what that looks like in her life during today's episode. We'll talk about that life-changing night and what happened during the five-days that it took researches to find her son's body. Gail tells us about her grief journey, her anger at God and a prophetic moment at a Beth Moore event that left me with chill bumps! Twelve years after her son's death, Gail is living purposefully, even in grief.
Here are a few things that Gail said that blessed my heart:
"I gave to God what I could not handle on my own."
"I felt like God was telling me, 'Gail, you're driving into something bigger than you can handle on your own.'"
"I wake up celebrating life!"
When I finished talking with Gail, I was so encouraged by her passionate faith - and I think that you will be, too.
If you or someone that you know is struggle with grief at any stages, please share this podcast with them. You can share it opening, send the link via email or send it to Facebook messenger.
LINKS FROM TODAY'S PODCAST:
Gail Cooper website | facebook (She Shed Moments)
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
Can we find freedom from past hurts or trauma? The answer is YES!
If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE advocate of mental health! Not only have I invested in years of personal counseling, but I attend a recovery group on a regular basis for my own serenity. A decade ago, I struggled with major depression and spending a year in counseling and medication delivered me back to wellness.
The lesson that I've learned is that good mental health is a daily investment and when we don't invest in ourselves, we rob ourselves of the peace and joy that God promises. Don't rob yourselves, friends. You matter!
My guest on this episode of the Better Together podcast is clinically-trained marriage and family therapist, Stacy Lynn Harp, the host of Bible News Radio.
Stacy Lynn grew us as the middle child between two brothers and to a mother who often said, "Stacy, I wish that you were never born." When Stacy Lynn was seven years old, her mother had an affair with Stacy's paternal uncle. Eventually, Stacy's mother left her father, packed up the kids and moved to California with the uncle. For many years, the uncle sexually and physically abused Stacy on a daily basis."He was sadistic," recalls Stacy in another interview.
During our conversation, Stacy Lynn gives a recap of her story and explains the tragic reason behind why her uncle never went to jail, even though Stacy Lynn reported him to the police.
If you're an adult, but you've still got a lot of baggage left over from your childhood, Stacy Lynn shares her journey from sexual abuse survivor to finding freedom from her struggles.
Our conversation today includes:
- Why NOT paying for therapy is the most expensive mistake of your life;
- What does freedom look like;
- How to spot unhealthy people;
- Lessons in faith from her soon-to-be-finished book, Pickleball Faith.
LINKS TO TODAY'S PODCAST
Stacy Lynn Harp website | Bible News Radio
Stacy's Testimony
What is Mental Health?
STACY LYNN HARB BIO
Stacy has appeared on the Fox News television show Dayside, as well as numerous radio programs nationally and internationally, discussing issues pertaining to the family, sexuality, social media, Christian persecution and Internet related issues.
Stacy earned a Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California, and is a gifted therapist and coach. Stacy has spoken at various academic and professional conferences concerning Internet safety issues and the topic of homosexuality. She has been described as someone who has a firm grasp on the issues and communicates passionately but with humor.
ABOUT HOST BARB ROOSE
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
Barb is an avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
How many times a week do you say, "I'm so tired"?
Here are some signs that you're might be exhausted. If you say "yes" to one or more of these, keep reading!
- Do you get sick often - like sinus infections or headaches?
- Is your mind so cluttered that you can't concentrate?
- Do you feeling like your floating around aimlessly or that your life doesn't have true purpose or calling?
- Do you feel too drained to be around people or you often feel people are judging you?
Believe it or not, but these are the warning signs of rest deprivation. Too often, we think about rest as just getting a good night's sleep or watching hours of tv.
Rest is much more than that! But, if we don't figure out how to really rest, then we're going to end up living really messed up lives.
Let me introduce you to someone who can give you the help and hope that you need today!
My Better Together guest is Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, an author, speaker, and board-certified internal medicine physician. She has an active medical practice in Alabama (near the Birmingham area).
Dr. Dalton-Smith is a national and international media resource on the mind, body, spirit connection and a top 100 medical expert in Good Housekeeping Doctors’ Secrets. She has been featured in many media outlets including Women’s Day, Redbook, First For Women, MSNBC, and Prevention. She is the author of Set Free to Live Free and Come Empty (winner 2016 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year and 2016 Illumination Award Gold medalist).
Her newest release is Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, including ground-breaking insight on the seven types of rest needed to optimize your productivity, increase your overall happiness and live your best life.
Today, Dr. Dalton Smith answers these pressing questions about rest:
- How can we get a better night's sleep?
- How do we know when we're rested?
- What are some warning signs that we need to know?
- Why is there more than one type of rest?
- Why do women struggle with rest?
LINKS FROM TODAY'S EPISODE
Saundra Dalton-Smith: website | facebook page
Rest Test Quiz: http://ichoosemybestlife.com/quiz/rest-quiz-test/
ABOUT YOUR BETTER TOGETHER PODCAST HOST
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Bible study and book, Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
"Don't burn bridges. Be graceful in all of your converations, especially when people say or do hurtful things."
-Lisa Toney, speaker, author & leader
On this week's Better Together podcast, we're talking about one of my favorite ways for us to get better together. On today's episode, we're talking leadership! Not only that, but our leadership inspiration is Lisa Toney, an executive and teaching pastor from Purpose Church in California. She's a seasoned leader who loves investing in both men and women, equipping them to lead at the highest levels of God's call on their lives.
Lisa is the author of Thrive: Live Like You Matter and her new book, The Scripture Challenge releases this fall.
Not only that, but Lisa is a new voice in the next generation of Women of Faith. Any Women of Faith fans out there? Me! For over 20 years, WOF events around the country mobilized hundreds of thousands of women and now, a generation of voices, including Lisa's are on deck to make a global impact. Lisa tells us all about WOF's vision to reach the world and how YOU can be a part of it.
In my humble opinion, today's conversation is like a min-leadership retreat that packs a big punch! Who should listen to today's podcast:
- If you've been struggling with confidence;
- If you're trying to figure out how to be a leader, wife, mom and friend;
- If you're just tired and wanting to give up.
Friends, if any of those fit, then I believe that today's podcast is exactly where you should be right now!
Let me share a few bits of Lisa's inspiring wisdom:
"This competeition thing that we have between women doesn't get us very far. When I get together with other women and we exchange ideas, all of our lives get so much better!"
"When I think about work life balance, I just laugh. Is it ever balanced? I don't know. I love living every day to the full."
"I want people to see Jesus in me because that's evidence that I'm living the call that God has placed on my life."
SHARE YOUR COMMENT: Have you taken Myers-Briggs (MBTI), Strengths Finders, Enneagram or other personality tests? Tell us about your results below.
LINKS FROM TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
Lisa Toney website | Facebook | book
Women of Faith Facebook Page (To find Scripture Challenge and Aloud)
Strengths Finders
About your Better Together podcast host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio with their dog, Quimby and a very grumpy 10-year rabbit. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
“If we hide the fact that Dad drinks too much, then no one will know.”
Did you grow up in a home where things like drinking or drugs weren't talked about? Too often, when someone that we love is struggling, silence seems easier than saying something or possibly the wrong.
Today, I'm talking with author Kimberly Dewberry about her new book, Three Weeks to Forgiveness, which tells her story of God’s redemption in the dark places of addiction. In our conversation today, Kimberly talks about what it was like growing up with an addicted parent and perhaps, her reflections and stories might hit close to home.
Here is a recap of some of the questions that I asked Kimberly today. I'd encourage you to listen to and share today's interview if you grew up with an alcoholic family or you know someone currently living in that difficult situation.
What are your earliest memories of your dad’s addiction on your life?
“I remember going through hiding places where my dad would hide his partial or empty bottles. My mom wanted me to help her get rid of my Dad’s alcohol and get it out of the hose. But I didn’t understand what we were doing. At that point, I started to blame myself. Somehow, I thought that I was the one who made my dad start drinking again. I thought that I was being punished for something. At the time, I didn’t understand the feelings that I was having until I began going through recovery later in life.”
If you could go back and talk to yourself at 15 years old, what would you tell her?
"If I could go back and talk to my 15-year old self I would say, 'You did not cause this. This isn’t something that we cause or something that we could control. Honey, your mom doesn’t know what to do. She’s desperate. She reached out to you because she didn’t know what else to do.'"
As a teen, how did you react to your dad’s alcoholism?
“I was rebellious. I made horrible choices as a teenager and during much of my adult life. I was constantly searching for something and at the time I didn’t know what I was searching for. Now, I know that I was searching for confirmation that I was loved.”
How did your dad's alcoholism make you feel about yourself?
“I equated my dad’s isolation and silence with lack of love. That carried over to other relationships. So in other relationships, I felt that if they weren’t talking to me, then they didn’t love me.”
What role did God play in your life? Why did you turn away from God?
“Our family didn’t go to church when I was a kid. I got saved in my 20’s but one of the most important things that I didn’t have was a good mentor to help me or guide me. I was trying to do it on my own, but I didn’t know what to do. So, when I turned away from God, it was really out of selfishness.
I wasn’t angry or bitter at God. But I had done so many bad things that I didn’t feel like God could love me anymore. I felt like God was so disappointed with me. I thought that I was too far gone, so that’s why I turned away from God.”
What negative behaviors/patterns did you struggle with during your adult years?
“I’ve been married three times. I constantly sought my value in relationships, especially with men.” I also struggled with co-dependent tendencies. I thought that I’d be happy as long as everyone else is happy. So, I tried to control people, situations, finances, outcomes and kids. I felt so out of control on the inside that I tried to control everyone else on the outside.”
How did your dad come to live with your family before he died?
“After years away from the family and living on the streets, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. He was released from the hospital and since he had nowhere to do, he came to live with me. It had been five years since I’d seen my dad.
It was through those three weeks of dad living in our home, that was the major event though God broke down the walls of anger, bitterness and how to show grace and forgiveness to my dad. I had a brick wall around my heart and God broke that wall down during those three weeks.”
What does it mean for you to find recovery as an adult child of an alcoholic?
“Who I am isn’t defined by my past. Who I am is defined by Christ. And I could not have realized that if it hadn’t been for God bringing Dad back into our lives for such a short period of time. After Dad died, I was grieving a lot. I got help from a Christian counselor and that’s when I heard terms like “adult child of an alcoholic” and “recovery.” I was realized confused because I thought that it was my Dad with the problem. But, I realized that I needed help, so I started with Al-Anon and then moved over to Celebrate Recovery.
In recovery, I realized that I had a problem, too. I have issues that I need to work on. I cannot control what other people do, I cannot control what other people say and I cannot control how other people act. Through recovery I was able to see that God is in control and He is the one that plans our steps. It’s our decisions and our free will that allow us to either go God’s way or our own way. I have learned that by going God’s way that I can have peace, serenity and love."
Who needs to attend a recovery program?
Sometimes, we don’t know that we need recovery until we start going. If you are feeling out of control and yet you try to control everyone, then consider talking to a licensed therapist/counselor, Al-Anon or Celebrate Recovery.
Connect with Kimberly - Three Weeks to Forgiveness Book | Facebook | IG | Twitter
About Kimberly Dewberry
Kimberly Dewberry struggled for 25 years to cope with the pain, hurt, guilt, regret, unworthiness, and shame brought on by her father's addictions. Because of the loving grace of Jesus Christ, she has broken free from the shackles of rebellion and anger, and made it her life’s mission to share her journey through courageous prose.
Kimberly and her husband Patrick are the parents of 6 grown children between them and live in the Dallas area with their two super cute Boston terriers, Delilah and Daphne. Kimberly enjoys writing, reading, Bible art journaling, participating in Bible studies, and dating her husband.
If you’ve struggled with praying, figuring out what to say, felt guilty about not praying enough or wondered about does prayer even make a difference, today’s episode is for you!
This week’s Better Together guest is best selling author, Janet McHenry. Janet is a national speaker and author of 23 books, including six on prayer—most notably the best-selling PrayerWalk and her new book, The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus, which is being released this week.
Janet's prayer walking practices have been featured in magazines such as Health and Family Circle, and she has been interviewed widely on national and local radio programs about prayer and prayer-walking. A recently retired English teacher and academic advisor, Janet and her husband Craig have raised four children in the Sierra Valley, where she loves walking with her Personal Trainer, Jesus.
On this week's episode, Janet and I talk about:
- How falling down her steps helped Janet discover a new way to pray;
- How God used a baby and single dad to teach Janet a powerful lesson about praying for others;
- How to pray "two-sided coin" prayers (love this!)
- Hope if you've been wondering if prayer really matters.
Janet will be such an encouragement to you if prayer has been tricky. She gives some great advice as well as shares stories from how others have leaned into prayer for everyday life.
Janet’s book, The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus: What Jesus Prayed and How It Can Change Your Life Today, is now available at Christian bookstores and all online booksellers. So many speakers and authors that I admire have amazing things to say about this book.
BEST OF ALL! Janet also sent me a copy to give away to one of you! Just leave a comment on the blog about this episode and I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday, June 13. Easy-peasy.
LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW:
Janet McHenry's website | Facebook | Prayer Walking
The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus: What Jesus Prayed and How It Can Change Your Life Today
50 Life Lessons for Grads
About the Better Together podcast…
Barb Roose is host of the Better Together podcast. She is a speaker and author with a passion to help women win at life with strength and dignity. Barb has been speaking at women’s conferences, events and retreats since 2005. She is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including the new book Winning the Worry Battle and Bible study Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle.
Barb and her husband, Matt are the parents of three daughters, Kate, Sami and Abbie. They love their dog, Quimby and a now 10-year old rabbit that threatens to live forever. She loves Jesus, new adventures, her FitBit, chocolate peanut butter ice cream and fabulous high heels.
What are you're missing out on if you aren't connected with any millennials?
It's become really easy for us to criticize the Millennial generation, those individuals born between 1981 and 1996 (according to Pew Research). How many times have you heard or maybe your referred to Millennials "entitled" or "they have a poor work ethic"?
My Better Together guest today is the exact opposite of the common (and untrue) stereotypes attributed to today's Millennials. Lauren Gaskill is a speaker, author, podcaster and entrepreneur - and she's 25 years old. That's right! Seriously, what were you doing at 25?
Best part is that Lauren has been my friend for a long time - I'm so excited that you get to meet her. Lauren emailed me years ago because she wanted to connect with women in ministry who were farther down the road in experience and faith. But, friends, I've learned so much from this brilliant young woman.
Her first book, Into the Deep, comes out in November 2018 (Abingdon Press). A long-time competitive swimmer, Lauren uses water as a word picture and writes about intentionally stepping out in faith and asking Jesus to show up big in our lives. While many of us get accustomed to playing it safe, this young woman just might light a fire under your complacency as you listen to her today.
Lauren knows what it's like to face real struggle, both in circumstances and faith. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome years ago. It's a connective tissue disorder that often leaves her in tremendous pain and suffering from anxiety.
“A year ago, I was in a pretty bad spot. I remember looking at my husband and saying, “I think that I might need to be in a pysch ward. It was a scary place. I am so glad that my faith got me through it. The Jesus inside of me is stronger than the darkness that tries to overtake me.”**
Girl, preach.
During today's conversation, you get the chance to hear from one of the best and brightest leaders that we have, especially in the Church today.
CONVERSATION STARTERS WITH MILLENNIALS
If you feel like God wants you to invest more of your life and time into the young people at your church or in your community, here are few "conversation starters":
- Who are the people that you admire?
- What kind of parent do you want to be?
- If you could fix any problem in the world, what would it be?
- What are some issues that older adults get crazy about that you don't understand?
- In addition to preaching the Gospel, how else can the Church help you grow in your faith?
- How can I help you?
LINKS FROM TODAY'S PODCAST
Lauren Gaskill Website | Facebook
Ticket information - She Found Joy Tour (Fall 2018)
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
About the Better Together podcast...
Barb Roose is host of the Better Together podcast. She is a speaker and author with a passion to help women win at life with strength and dignity. Barb has been speaking at women's conferences, events and retreats since 2005. She is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including the new book Winning the Worry Battle and Bible study Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle.
Barb and her husband, Matt are the parents of three daughters, Kate, Sami and Abbie. They love their dog, Quimby and a 9-year old rabbit that threatens to live forever. She loves Jesus, new adventures, her FitBit, chocolate peanut butter ice cream and fabulous high heels.
Are you or someone that you know a planning a wedding? Are you a soon-to-be-bride, mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom?
If so, this episode of the Better Together podcast is a must-listen for some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to wedding fashion and family dynamics.
My guest this week is my fabulous friend and American’s leading Christian fashion consultant, Shari Braendel. She’s a popular guest on my Better Together podcast and on this episode, Shari shows up with some important rules and must-do’s when it comes to weddings.
Not only does she provide helpful information, but as Shari will be the mother-of-the-groom at her son’s wedding in just a couple of weeks, she lets us into what God has been teaching her about letting go of her son – it’s a touching, emotional conversation that any mom with a wedding coming up needs to hear. (You might want to grab a tissue!)
In today’s conversation, Shari answers questions like:
- What are the rules for when the mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom decide to pick their dresses?
- What kind of dress is best for your body types?
- When it comes to making decisions about the wedding, who should get first choice?
- How can you navigate hurt feelings and difficult moments while planning the wedding with the other side of the family?
- How can a mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom prepare her heart for the emotional “letting go” on the wedding day?
For the rest of us, Shari talks us through the different types of weddings and how we can dress appropriately for each type.
There’s so much practical advice and heart-talk that you might want to grab a tissue or two before you listen.
If you’ve got wedding fashion questions or questions of the heart, Shari would love to answer them. Leave them on the blog page of this podcast!
GET CONNECTED TO SHARI - Website | Facebook
Shari's 27 Hangers Online Course
Shari's book Help Me Jesus, I Have Nothing to Wear
Breakaway 2018 Conference on June 15-16 in Concord, NC
About Barb...
Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. She's a popular conference speaker and author of multiple books and Bible studies including her new book, Winning the Worry Battle and six-week Bible study called, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb and her family live in NW Ohio. She loves travel, chocolate peanut ice cream and fabulous high heel shoes. Connect with Barb at Barbroose.com for new episodes of the Better Together podcast on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
“Focus on the person you are fighting for, not the person you are fighting with.” -John Guerin
Do you have a secret that you’re keeping from your husband? Some of us might sneak in a few pairs of shoes inside brown grocery bag or perhaps there is a secret Amazon account attached to an off-the-radar credit card, secrets are never good for a relationship.
But what about a bigger secret?
Are you hiding secret feelings from your husband about the guy at the office who gives great shoulder rubs?
Do you feel a growing affection for your neighbor who always has time to fix something when your hubby is busy?
On this episode of the Better Together podcast, I’m talking with speaker and author Shannon Geurin. Shannon and her husband, John live in Colorado and they are parents of two daughters.
Twelve years ago, Shannon began an emotional affair with a man that led to a physical affair. As Shannon says, "And that affair led me to do the unthinkable. I was going to leave my family - husband and my little girls."
This is a raw conversation, friends. Shannon speaks with humility about the mistakes that she made, the lies that she believed, the forgiveness that she received and the long five-year road that she walked with her husband after her affair.
Even if you think that it isn’t possible for you to even find yourself in Shannon’s situation, there are plenty of other ways in life when we can get off-track in life. Listen as Shannon shares not only the warnings signs, but take heart and have hope as Shannon also shares how you can find your way back if you’ve made big mistakes and you’re wondering if you can ever overcome them. In Jesus’ name, you can!
THREE STEPS TOWARD FORGIVENESS & RESTORATION:
- Surround yourself with people who are supporting the decision that you are making.
- Write down God’s promises and post them where they can encourage you.
- Don’t let shame and guilt rob you of God’s forgiveness and your future.
LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW:
Connect with Shannon: Email | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Finding Joy Ladies Night Out Tickets - click here
Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Bible Study by Barb Roose
Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together Podcast.
I love the word “gutsy.” In fact, a gutsy woman is always inspiring to me! She’s the kind of gal who knows that the odds are stacked against her, but she makes a big move anyways. There have been so many gutsy women in my life – I could take up this entire blog listing them. In a world where women are fighting against so much, we need brave, courageous women who are willing to risk it all for something better.
Sometimes, the greatest gutsiest risk we’ll ever take is the one that involves confronting our painful past and choosing to walk the road of healing.
Today, my Better Together podcast guest is Jennifer Renee Watson. I caught up with Jennifer as she was hiding out in a hotel room writing her upcoming book called Freedom: The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and Life Beyond It" (February 2019). Jennifer is a speaker, writer, pastor’s wife, student ministries leader and mother of two. Her life journey has been one of brokenness and healing. Now, Jennifer’s passion is to equip others to take their healing journey as well.
As the child of an alcoholic and divorce, Jennifer spent her younger years trying to cope with the ache and pain of the loss of her dad to addiction and the break-up of her family. “My dad had such a great heart and loved people but over the years, his addiction became bigger and louder than who he was as a man.”
Jennifer came to faith in Christ when she was 11 years old. Her new life and hope in Christ helped Jennifer to see that she needed to deal with the brokenness in her life. “When I was in my teen years, I worked hard to deal with my junk. I wrote stories, angry poetry, danced – I needed an outlet to work through things.” Not only that, but young Jennifer made one of her first gutsy moves in life and said “yes” when she felt God putting a life of ministry on her heart.
During today’s conversation, Jennifer talks through what her “healing journey” looked like. Most of all, Jennifer tells us about the powerful way that she knew that healing had taken place when she got the word that her dad died three years ago.
There are times when we hear women talk about the shock-n-awe brokenness of their lives, but Jennifer longs for us to not let our brokenness define us. Rather, she invites us to learn how to offer the fractured parts of our lives to God and let those broken places be a platform to glorify Him.
On today’s Better Together Podcast, we talk about:
- What it means to be a “gutsy” woman;
- How you can use creative outlets to work through your junk;
- What you need in order to take a “healing journey”;
- How to let your brokenness glorify God instead of letting it define your life.
LINKS FROM TODAY'S EPISODE
Jennifer Renee Watson website | Facebook
Finding Joy Ladies Night Out Tickets - click here
About your host...
Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. She's passionate about teaching women how to win at life with strength and dignity. Barb's new book, Winning the Worry Battle and her new six-week Bible study on the book of Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle release in April 2018. Both products are available at your favorite online retailers and stores across the country.
“On what should have been the most beautiful day of my life, a switch flipped in my body…”
Have you or someone you know struggled with chronic pain? For 20 years, speaker and author, Melinda Means fought chronic pain and autoimmune disorders that she jokingly referred as the “gift that keeps on giving.”
Melinda is the author of the book, Invisible Wounds: Hope While You are Hurting. As we talked today, she reflects on the years on constant doctors appointments, diseases and treatments, she felt like the woman in New Testament who struggled with uncontrolled bleeding for 12 years (Mark 5).
“I tried everything to heal myself. I tried every diet, vitamin – everything. But nothing worked.”
Raging within Melinda’s suffering body was a spiritual wound that spread deep and wide. “I didn’t understand how God could love me and still let me suffer. I know that my earthly father would have healed me from my debilitating pain if he could. So, if my earthly father would heal me because beloved me, then why wouldn’t my heavenly father heal me?”
During my conversation with Melinda, we talk with great candor about the difficult questions that we ask God when we’re in physical, emotional or spiritual pain. If you’ve ever grappled with questions like why God hasn’t taken away your pain or why your prayers for healing have gone unanswered, then today’s podcast conversation is for you.
What you’ll hear in this week’s podcast:
- The story of Melinda’s 20-year struggle with chronic pain and spiritual struggle with her faith;
- What happened when Melinda prayed a radical prayer in the midst of her pain;
- The ONE thing that you can do if you are in the midst of a physical/spiritual struggle;
- A beautiful new gift God bestowed on Melinda that you can enjoy and download for yourself!
PODCAST EPISODE RESOURCES:
Melinda’s website | Melinda's book | Melinda's Facebook page
Finding Joy Ladies Night Out Tickets on iTickets
Powerful Quotes from this week’s podcast:
“For years, I went to every doctor and tried every remedy. But as I prayed that day, felt God speak to my spirit and say, ‘Melinda, I’m your only hope.’”
“I didn’t need to wait for God to heal me before I could minister to others. I realized that my ministry happened from the place of my brokenness.”
“While I prayed, I realized that if I wanted more of God, then I needed to stop consuming so much of everything else.”
“I realized that God wanted me to seek Him, not just seek what I wanted from Him.”
About this podcast...
The Better Together podcast provides hope, help and the practical next steps so that we can get better together. This podcast launches new episodes on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month. Miss an episode? You can listen to the podcast library at barbroose.com/bettertogether.
Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. She's passionate about teaching women how to win at life with strength and dignity. Barb's new book, Winning the Worry Battle and her new six-week Bible study on the book of Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle release in April 2018. Both products are available at your favorite online retailers and stores across the country.
"They took me into the counseling room. The doctor gently told me that they tried everything that they could, but they were not able to revive my husband. So, I went home to do the hardest thing that I ever had to do."
Lisa Appelo's life changed forever in just one night…
On this new episode of Better Together podcast, I have a heartbreaking, yet hope-filled conversation with writer and speaker, Lisa Appelo. She’s a Florida native and a homeschooling mom to seven kids, now aged 27 to 10.
During our interview, Lisa tells us about the night in summer 2011 when she woke up in the middle of the night and realized that her 47-year old husband Dan was having a heart attack. After the paramedics took her husband to the hospital, Lisa went upstairs and noticed her kids huddled together with their arms around each other.
Not only did Lisa face the devastating loss of her high-school sweetheart husband, but the reality of being alone and a single mom to seven kids from college-aged down to just four years old.
In the difficult months that followed, Lisa remembers the powerful presence of friends and prayer holding her family up.
"I do remember thinking and knowing that we were being carried by prayer."
Yet, as you listen to our interview, you’ll hear the incredible hope that Lisa share about the blessings and abundance of God. She talks about the pain of walking with her kids through the loss of their dad and the practical ways that she helped her kids open up and talk about their fears and loss.
During this episode, Lisa encourages us to remember:
• Grief comes in many forms and we don’t get over it, but we do learn to “live where we are”; • We learn to live with the love, but without the person; • God has as much abundance planned for us AFTER our loss as before our loss. CONNECT WITH LISA:
Lisa' website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
100 Days with Christ Bible Study Journal and Reading Plan
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FINDING JOY LADIES NIGHT OUT EVENT! Click here for more details!
Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. Find more episodes at barbroose.com/bettertogether.
“I read Bill’s words as he confessed that he had lied to his family and had stolen, and spent, $1,000,000 from his aunt’s trust fund. It was obvious he confessed at trial to get a reduced sentence. I was numb and in shock…I had asked God for the total truth but had never dreamed that the truth would be so painful. How could my husband and best friend, who I had known since I was five, be a liar, a thief
How could my husband and best friend, who I had known since I was five, be a liar, a thief and a convicted felon? It was excruciating.” -from Lynn's Story: A Journey of searing, Inspiring Growth and Ultimate Healing
For over 30 years, former corporate trainer Lynn Kampfer lived what most people would consider the American Dream. Married to her childhood sweetheart and raising two kids, Lynn and her family enjoyed the best that life had to offer.
Yet, as Lynn began to search for God the outer edges of her lovely life began to crack and crumble. In this episode of the Better Together podcast, Lynn shares not only her dramatic story but more importantly, incredible lessons learned about God’s faithfulness, provision, forgiveness and hope. Lynn will definitely inspire you as she shares about surviving breath-taking heartache and how to thrive even as life takes an unwelcome left turn.
As you listen to today’s podcast, I want you to draw hope and encouragement from Lynn’s story – especially if you feel like your life is falling apart.
What you’ll hear from today’s podcast:
- How God plants seeds in our lives, even when we’re unaware;
- Even after rock bottom, things can always get worse;
- When you don’t forgive, you’re in a prison doing hard time with the person who hurt you;
- Two important things to know and do when beginning the journey toward forgiveness;
- How God never abandons us when the unthinkable in life actually happens.
Forgiveness is a difficult and often misunderstood concept.
There's not enough space in this post to properly cover the topic, but I hope that you listen to Lynn's podcast because you can learn a lot from her journey to forgiveness. It wasn't easy, but she is so wise in how she journeyed through it.
POST A COMMENT ON THE BLOG: Can you tell us about your forgiveness journey? What was hard? How did God help you? If you're still struggling, how can we pray for you?
I'd love to hear your questions and comments about today's show! Email me at barb@barbroose.com
Click here to listen to other episodes of the Better Together podcast.
Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. She's a women's conference speaker with a passion to teach women how to win at life with strength and dignity. Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her new book, Winning the Worry Battle (2018) and Bible study, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle (2018).
Connect with Barb!
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Are you tired of cleaning up the same messes day after day? Are you tired of making dinner, changing diapers or driving carpool day after day?
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you aren’t alone! In fact, you’re invited into a guilt-free zone for a precious conversation today about embracing God’s grace in the messiness of motherhood.
On this episode of the Better Together podcast, my guest is speaker and author, Amy Seiffert. She’s the author of the new book, Chin Up: Wearing Grace, Strength and Dignity When Motherhood Unravels Our Soul. Amy and her husband, Rob live in NW Ohio and they are the parents of three kids. For the past 16 years, Amy has been writing and speaking on staff with Cru and she's the Director of Outward Movement at Brookside Church in Bowling Green, OH.
Before she became a mom, Amy pictured motherhood as a beautiful dress that she saw her friends wearing so beautifully. However, Amy felt that her motherhood dress felt floppy and didn’t fit quite right. She says that every time she tried to adjust or change, her motherhood dress would shift and expose the things that she wanted to keep covered up.
Amy and I talk about how she found God’s grace in the mundane and maddening tasks of motherhood. If you’ve ever struggled with endless laundry, Mom, I’m hungry, hated playing Barbies or was tempted to burn your kids’ puzzles, Amy’s been there.
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centered around changing our perspective on the endless loads of laundry or those long sleepless nights. I love how Amy’s former seminar professor calls those seemingly mundane tasks “maintaining and sustaining.” In her book, Amy writes that when we see the sunrise and sunset or the seasons change, those are examples of how God maintains and sustains our world. Amy was encouraged when she realized that her maintaining and sustaining tasks like laundry, making dinner and changing diapers mirrored God’s work in our world. I hope that you listen in for that powerful conversation.
As we talk about Chin Up, Amy shares her struggle to overcome anger, letting go of unrealistic expectations and most of all, how she's learning to embrace God’s grace in motherhood., if you’ve been beating yourself up for not being the kind of mom that you want to be or think that you should be, Amy’s story is you’ve been beating yourself up for not being the kind of mom that you want to be or think that you should be, Amy’s story is
Sweet friend, if you’ve been beating yourself up for not being the kind of mom that you want to be or feeling guilty about not always enjoying motherhood, Amy’s story is perfect encouragement for you.
LINKS:
Amy Seiffert's website
Connect with Amy on Facebook
Buy Chin Up on Amazon.com
Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together podcast. Barb is passionate about reaching women and teaching them to win at life with God-empowered strength and dignity. She loves speaking at women's conferences and events on the topics of fear and worry, self-care and leadership. Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including April 2018 releases, Winning the Worry Battle (book) and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle (Bible study). Check out Barbroose.com for more information.
Who taught you about sex as a child? If you’re a parent, how do you feel about talking to your child about sex?
According to a survey conducted by Knowledge Networks, 57% of parents feel uncomfortable talking to their kids about sex and 64% reported that their parents didn’t do a good job talking to them. How do we engage in this important conversation with our kids with confidence as well as effectiveness?
On this episode of the Better Together Podcast, I’m talking Lauren Snyder, Executive Director of Ministry at CedarCreek Church in Perrysburg, OH. Join our conversation as we have a conversation about a topic that we hate talking to our kids about: SEX.
During this podcast, you hear and learn:
- A fun story about the unconventional way that Lauren learned about the birds-and-the-bees;
- Why parents must be the first and primary voice in their children's life regarding sex;
- Lauren will equip you with phrases that we need to repeat early and often to our kids to keep them from developing body-related or sex-related shame.
During our podcast, Lauren also named a few of the resources that she provided to Lydia. We’ve also included those links for you:
- The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition Paperback (2012) by Valorie Schaefer (Author), Josee Masse (Illustrator)
- The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls (Paperback – 2013) by Cara Natterson (Author), Josee Masse (Illustrator)
- God's Design for Sex Series (4 books) By Stan Jones and Brenna Jones
As Lauren recommends, please read these resources before handing them off with your kids. You’ll want to be aware and equipped to receive the questions that your child might ask, rather than scrambling to do damage control or untwist any misconceptions.
What if you’re afraid to teach your kids about sex because you feel ashamed or guilty about your past?
Romans 8:1 says that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. If God has forgiven you, then you need to let His forgiveness in to clear your heart and mind and not block it with your guilt, shame or self-hatred. If you don't accept God's forgiveness, you'll miss an opportunity to testify to your kids about how God forgives and how we can be set free from guilt and shame.
What if you don’t know what the Bible says about sex?
This is a common question. There are a lot of people who are confused about what the Bible does and doesn't teach about sex. Now, there are an endless list of resources and perspectives. Here is a "starter" list for adults who want to learn more. You're welcome to share your suggestion on the blog page.
The Gift of Sex in Marriage - sermon by Ben Snyder, CedarCreek Church)
If you’re single – Love, Sex and Dating by Andy Stanley
If you’re married – Sheet Music by Kevin Leman
For Women Only – by Shaunti Feldhahn
Pornography - Resources available at XXXChurch.com
What do you do when you hear a child say negative things like, "I'm stupid," "I suck," "I can't do anything right," or "I'm worthless"?
It's a new year and new episodes of the Better Together podcast! Today's episode is a critical conversation for all parents and anyone with influence in a child, teen or young adult's life.
Here's our question: How do we teach a child to get back up again emotionally after getting knocked down by failure, a mistake, bullying or careless words? There's one skill that we must teach our kids because it's not a skill that they learn naturally. Unfortunately, it's a skill that too many adults don't know how to use either. But, we can learn!
Today's Better Together Podcast guest is marriage and family expert, Kim Fredrickson. She's the author of the new book, Give Your Kids a Break: Parenting with Compassion for You and Your Children. You are invited to be part of this critical dialogue that's needed now, more than ever!
Here's what you'll learn about today:
- Why self-compassion is the key to bouncing back quickly from mistakes;
- How to use the language of self-compassion;
- The important difference between self-compassion and self-pity;
- Compassionate words to say to yourself as a parent when you make a mistake with your kids
I'm passionate about today's conversation because I've read Kim's books and I use the language of self-compassion with myself. Self-compassion helps me to get to the heart of my mistakes, own my mistakes, overcome any shame or guilt and not beat myself up.
After you listen to today's podcast, I'm going to ask you to do the following:
First, share this episode with your mom and dad friends. Everyone needs to hear this message. Second, get Kim's book, Give Your Kids a Break, for more practical advice and help. She has a 1-2-3 Start List for beginning the self-compassion conversation with your kids.
Links from today's show
Kim's website (You can find her on social media from her website.)
Give Your Kids a Break by Kim Fredrickson
Give Yourself a Break by Kim Fredrickson (download first chapter for free!)
Better Together podcast is hosted by Barb Roose, a speaker and author passionate about helping women win at life with strength and dignity. This podcast releases new episodes twice a month. Listen to previous episodes at Barbroose.com/bettertogether. Connect with Barb on social media at fb.com/barbararoose or @barbroose on Twitter/Insta.
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Did you know that a girl’s confidence peaks at the age of nine?
Statistics report that 7 out of every 10 girls don’t feel like they measure up.
Moms, how can we raise our daughters with the confidence to pursue courageous and fearless lives?
Today's Better Together podcast guest, author and Proverbs 31 Ministry speaker, Lynn Cowell, tells us about her journey to discover what it means to be brave and courageous in her life. As women of all ages fight to find that same confidence, Lynn wants to equip our young tweens so that they can find confidence sooner in life. She is the author of the new book, Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless, a companion guide written for girls between the ages of 8-12 years old.
I loved so many things about our conversation! One of the most powerful observations was when Lynn explained how culture drives our girls to build their confidence on three shaky foundations:
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Someone (like a relationship with someone);
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Some Place (career/status); or
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Something (beauty, education).
But, all of those things can be lost or taken because much of life is out of our control. So, to help our daughters, let's journey along with them to help them to build unshakeable confidence on an unshakeable God because they can’t lose God!
What if your confidence has been shaken? Lynn has something for you, too!
Lynn has a new Bible study for women titled Make Your Move: Finding Unshakeable Confidence Despite Your Fears and Failures. There are a lot of strong, confident women in the Bible! Lynn has created a Bible study so that you can learn from these women, some of them you might not know, but they will inspire to reach for God's best!
Mom, if you have a daughter in elementary school or junior high, would you do me a favor and check out Lynn's website. Our world is coming hard after young girls, but we can equip them to stand strong and confident in Jesus' name.
RESOURCES
Lynn’s website – including free resources!
Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You
Make Your Move: Finding Unshakeable Confidence Despite Your Fears and Failures
Lynn's books can be found at Proverbs 31 or at your favorite Christian Retailers.
ABOUT LYNN COWELL
Lynn Cowell is a Proverbs 31 Ministries author and speaker who helps moms become wise women so they can raise wiser daughters.
Connect with Barb! Barb Roose is the host of the Better Together Podcast. Connect with Barb online at barbroose.com or Facebook.com/barbararoose.
What frustrates you about clothes and fashion?
On this episode of the Better Together podcast, fabulous fashion expert Shari Braendel is back! Recently, Shari asked her audience about their top fashion dilemmas. Over 1000 women responded to Shari's survey and here were the top three questions:
1. How do I dress for my body?
2. How do I pick the right style for my hair?
3. How do I put together an entire look?
In this episode of the Better Together podcast, Shari answers those three questions with fabulous fashion tips and suggestions that you can begin using today! If you've been struggling to figure out a new hairstyle, you'll love her practical tips. I learned so much!
Here's what I just love about Shari - she believes that every woman is a VIP. You might beat yourself up every day, but it doesn't have to be that way! Listen to the podcast and find out about Shari's newest VIP website to help women look and feel put together each day. Trust me, you'll want to check out the link below!
RESOURCES:
- Text the word “fashion” to 44222 and get a free bundle of goodies from Shari! (No strings attached!)
- Click here to check out VIP Membership site
- Fashion Meets Faith Website
In the newest episode of the Better Together podcast, I talk about the following four bridges that build connection with our teen and adult daughters:
- Kind Words - How do you speak to your daughter? What we say is most often a reflection of our heart, not our daughter's actions. Our kind words can actually heal the emotional and physical pain that our daughters experience in life.
- Discover Her Love Language - Do you know your daughter's love language? Both of you can take the free test at the fivelovelanguages.com. When you invest 10-15 minutes per day in "speaking" her love language, you build resiliency into her life and she'll have the reserve to dig deep and tackle the problems that she's facing.
- Ask Before You Accuse - How many of us jump to conclusions when a negative situation happens? We can build a connection instead of creating conflict when we calmly and kindly ask, "Can you tell me what happened?" and listen to what she has to say.
- "Open the Door" - Getting our daughter to talk can be tricky because she has a lot on her mind. I share a tip to open up communication with your daughter. Listen to the podcast to find out more!
RESOURCES
The Parenting Teens Summit
An online experience designed to help you thrive as a parent of a teenager. Over 40 different Christian authors and thoughts leaders are ready to share their unique insight with you. Featured speakers include Dr. James Dobson, Dr. Juli Slattery, Dr. Paul David Tripp, Craig Gross, Kimm Carr, Craig Groeschel, and Dr. Kathy Koch, among others.
Parenting Teen Summit starts September 11-27! Click here to find out more and register!
FREE eBook
Mom, is your young daughter comparing herself to her friends? Has she made comments about how she looks or shows signs of low self-esteem? Download a free copy of my ebook, 10 Beauty Essentials to Teach Your Daughter. Reach her now with God's beautiful truth so that she can learn how to push back against our culture's impossible beauty standards. It's not too early to help your daughter avoid an ugly struggle with beauty. Click here to download.
How do we learn contentment in a culture that is always pushing us to pursue more? What are we missing out on if we're always searching for the next best thing?
Author Melissa Spoelstra shares lessons that we can learn from her new Bible study, Numbers: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More about the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. While God planned to bring them to the Promised Land, their arrival was delayed because they complained too much.
Listen as we talk about why we default to complaining - even though we know shouldn't. What are some of the secrets to contentment that we can learn from God's word?
Here are the takeaways from today's episode:
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We can learn to "secret" to contentment, even if everything in our lives are upside-down.
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Join Melissa's Contentment Project - Have you been complaining a lot lately? Learn to move from complaining to contentment by participating in Melissa's "Contentment Project" starting in early September. Click here to sign up today!
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Check out Melissa's new Bible study, Numbers: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More. Available at all Christian retailers.
In this episode of the Better Together podcast, host Barb Roose shares five positive statements that women can use before, during and after their shopping experience.
As one who has battled an ugly struggle with self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image, Barb shares godly wisdom for women at every age and stage in life. These five statements reflect God's truth about women.
Here are the five statements:
1. If it doesn't fit, I promise not to buy it.
2. I will buy the best for my budget.
3. This label is not my value.
4. This piece of clothing isn't right for me, but it's right for someone else.
5. I am God's beautiful daughter and trying on these clothes won't change that.
Barb recommends that women repeat these statements when before entering the dressing room, while disrobing as well as after shopping.
Better Together with Barb Roose is on iTunes. Subscribe by clicking here.
Barb would love to hear from you!
barbroose.com
facebook.com/barbararoose
Twiiter/IG: barbroose
So, you and you friend have gotten into a fight. What now?
A few years ago, I hurt a friend. It wasn't on purpose. There was a conflict between my friend and another person. I thought that I was being helpful - a bridge-builder per se. I stuck my nosy nose into the situation and gave my worthless two cents. The next day, my girlfriend called in tears to let me know that my well-meaning words put her in an awful position. I felt awful. I'd hurt my friend.
Have you ever been hurt by a friend? Have you ever been the one to hurt a friend's feelings? No matter which side you find yourself on, it's painful all the way around!
After last week's Better Together episode with my guest, Natalie Chambers Snapp, I heard from many women who've dealt with friendship break-ups, heartache, betrayal and pain. It's so hard sometimes!
I love how Natalie shared her "PEG System" to help her think through friendship conflict. Here's an explanation and something that you can consider if you have a friendship that is broken right now:
Pray - Instead of taking our pain to friends, take your pain to God and ask for clarity on what's going on.
Examine - Ask yourself tough questions like:
- What's my role in this conflict?
- Can I be with my friend in the future without replaying the hurt?
- Do I need to talk to her about the problem OR is this a "me" issue that I need to work out with God?
Go Straight to that Person - Direct dialogue, but Natalie lists a few conditions in the podcast.
This podcast is jam-packed with solid Biblical insight about not only friendships, but Natalie challenges our hearts to realize where God needs to work within us.
REMEMBER: I'm giving away a copy of Natalie's NEW Becoming Heart Sisters Bible study! It's available at Christian retailers nationwide, but you can enter to win a copy by clicking here and leaving a comment on the podcast blog page. Winner will be drawn on June 5.
CLICK HERE to leave a review about this episode on iTunes.
About Natalie…
Author Natalie Chambers Snapp uses her own and others’ stories of successes and failures to illustrate what she has learned about girlfriend relationships. Healthy boundaries, honesty, tact, sharing, and agape love all play a part in being and maintaining a circle of close confidants. She also deals with the inevitable challenges that face many relationships including how to handle conflict; life changes like a new baby, move or divorce; and when it is right to “break-up” with your friend.
What is it with women and friendships?
As much as we know that we need good girlfriends, we can't seem to stop ourselves from friendship drama! We're surrounded by a culture that has dipped the term "BFF" in 24 carat gold, so if you don't have a BFF, then you're hopelessly alone forever. On the other hand, we're flooded with "Real" television shows that make backbiting, pettiness and betrayal the norm. Recently, one "Housewife" was kicked off her reality television show because she spread rumors about another housewife plans to drug another woman. What's going on here? Do we even know what good friendships look like anymore?
Today, I'm talking with my friend, Natalie Snapp, author of the Bible study, Heart Sisters: A Bible Study on Authentic Friendships. She's a strong, courageous sister in Christ whose life experiences have given her a passion for helping women develop healthy authentic relationships with each other. Her writings specifically address women who've been hurt by friendships and are looking for healing.
In this episode, Natalie tells us about the bullying that she endured in high school from other girls. She'll also tell us about what happened when she realized that her non-Christian friends seemed to handle friendship conflict better than her Christian friends.
You'll learn about the two ingredients that all healthy, authentic relationships must have as well as learn how your mother's approach to friendship may have impacted your life.
GIVEAWAY: I'm giving away a free copy of Natalie's Bible Study, Becoming Heart Sisters on June 5. Enter by posting a comment on the blog page for this podcast.
About Natalie...
Author Natalie Chambers Snapp uses her own and others’ stories of successes and failures to illustrate what she has learned about girlfriend relationships. Healthy boundaries, honesty, tact, sharing, and agape love all play a part in being and maintaining a circle of close confidants. She also deals with the inevitable challenges that face many relationships including how to handle conflict; life changes like a new baby, move or divorce; and when it is right to “break-up” with your friend.
Last week, it rained for several days straight in my little corner of the world. It rained enough that I regretted passing up that fabulous pair of rainboots that I saw at the store. My soggy sneakers held up just fine...
Since we experience all four seasons in my area of the country, heavy spring rains always seem to wash away the last vestiges of winter and pour in the freshness of the spring season.
Is your life ready to embrace spring?
Did you know that every season has a metaphor? If you aren't familiar with this concept, here's a quick overview:
- Summer = sunny and steady
- Fall= transition and uncertainty
- Winter = reflection and rehabilitation
- Spring = fresh and hopeful
So, now it's spring. Do you feel fresh and hopeful? I'm trying to be! After a long winter, I need to fill my tanks a little after a long winter. So, these days, I'm focused on finding things that inspire me toward godly momentum and creativity.
One of my main places of inspiration is walking outside. There's something about the fresh air and walking underneath God's big blue sky that just makes me feel close to God. And I LOVE flowers! Lucky for me, I live in a historical neighborhood filled with lots of amazing gardens.
Another source of inspiration is when I travel to speaking events. As I write out this paragraph, many of your faces that I've met over the past few months float across my memory - and make me smile. I'm inspired when I think about all of the women that I've met and all of the stories that I've heard.
For me, being inspired is all about putting myself in situations where my heart, mind and soul can be connected to God and connected to others who also long to be connected to God.
I don't know about you, but the farther I get away from God, the more draining life seems to be. So, my goal each day is to make purposeful plans to find connections with God and others such as.
Here's a quick list of six ways that I find inspiration:
- Walking outside and focusing on God's beauty of creation,
- Sitting with a friend over coffee as she tells me about how God is stretching or growing her faith,
- Attending a conference or event that will challenge me in my faith or help me expand my skills,
- Consuming books or listening to podcasts by people who write/speak about their faith or craft,
- Journaling or reading old journal entries to see how God has stretched and grown my faith.
- Traveling to new places and meeting new people lets me see faith from lots of different and powerful perspectives.
Now, this is my list. But, it's not the be-all-end-all list. However, if you're looking for some ideas, perhaps my list might motivate you to create your own list.
Don't forget, inspiration is essential for living!
Inspiration keeps us moving forward. Inspiration is essential for resilience and keeping us hopeful. Inspiration keeps us looking toward the future when we're tempted to focus on the past or the negative circumstances in the present.
So, what should go on your inspiration list? Share what inspires you in the comments on the blog page for this podcast episode.
My friend Cathy West joins me for this week's Better Together episode and shares how she finds inspiration for her stories. Her newest book, The Memory of You, just released a few weeks ago and Cathy gives us some inside scoop about a powerful story that many of us can relate to. Cathy also explains why fiction stories have the power to help us work through some of our struggles.
Click here to find out more about this story of a woman who deals with PTSD after the death of her sister. She discovers the freeing power of forgiveness, confession and faith.
About Catherine West...
INSPY Award-winning author Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or reading books by her favorite authors. She and her husband have two grown children.
Do you ever battle insecurity?
We all do! Even if usually you feel like Confident Connie on a good hair day, there are times when our inner critic pipes up and whispers, "You'll never pull that off."
Some of us grew up in homes hearing "You're useless" or "You can't do anything right." Those words planted seeds of insecurity in our hearts. For others, a big mistake or a crushing failure planted a powerful seed of insecurity in our hearts.
Insecurity whispers "You'll never good enough, no matter how hard you try."
When we're insecure, we're always second-guessing ourselves, even when we know we're doing the right things. When we're insecure, we're afraid to look toward the future in hope because we fear pain and failure.
But, what does God say to us and our insecurities? I love the words of Jeremiah 29:11 - some of you already know these words by heart:
"I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
God is not planning disaster for us. He's not planning disaster for you, my friend. Yes, we'll encounter hardships and tests to grow our faith, but through faith, we can walk with confidence in God's plan for our lives.
If you're always second-guessing yourself, but you want to dream big dreams, I want you to listen to my interview with award-winning author, Catherine West. I met Cathy a few years ago at my literary agency retreat and she's real and lovely and someone that you can totally relate to!
On this episode of Better Together, Cathy and I will talk about her battle to overcome worry and insecurity. All of us will benefit from Cathy's five life lessons about how to get off the ledge of insecurity as well as having the guts to go for our dreams. If you don't have time to listen, click here to access those five life lessons on Cathy's website.
By the way, Cathy's new book The Memory of You just released a few weeks ago - it's amazing! Click here to find out more about this story of a woman who deals with PTSD after the death of her sister. She discovers the freeing power of forgiveness, confession and faith.
About Catherine West...
INSPY Award-winning author Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or reading books by her favorite authors. She and her husband have two grown children. Catherine’s novel, Bridge of Faith, won the 2015 Grace Award. Catherine’s latest novels are The Things We Knew (July 2016) and The Memory of You (March 2017), Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com
Website – http://www.catherinejwest.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CatherineJWest
Twitter - https://twitter.com/cathwest
GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4715219.Catherine_West
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/cathwest/
Google + - https://plus.google.com/u/0/108781711729974539211/posts
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cathwestwrites/
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Catherine-West/e/B004RWZUHK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Oh my, goodness!
Last week, I shared my story about a year-long battle with depression as well as a powerful podcast interview with my friend, Melissa Maimone.
Boy, did I hear from you! I've gotten more notes and messages about this podcast than any other. One woman shared that God used our discussion to confirm that she needed to talk to her doctor about depression. Praise God!
Depression is a medical condition that can make us feel alone, fearful and hopeless. At its worst, depression can make us feel that we're too broken or damaged to be loved. Even by God.
God loves you just the way that you are. There is nothing that you can do to change His opinion about you.
Christians are uncomfortable with depression. By refusing the recognize depression as a medical issue, Christians often downplay, even dismisses its devastating impact on families, our careers and our health. Too often, Christians feel ashamed about being depressed or they're shamed by others who tell them to pray harder or think more positively.
In this week's Better Together episode, Melissa and I tackled depression, God and faith. For years, Melissa felt like she'd disappointed God, which totally wasn't true! She speaks to us in a powerful way about a compassionate God who loves us as we are and gives us the strength that we need. Melissa discovered that depression doesn't mean that she's sentenced to a life of unhappiness. Friends, Melissa is one of the most radiant people that I know!
If you've been dealing with depression or you secretly wonder if you are depressed, I hope that you'll listen to this week's podcast. Also, check out the resource links provided below. You can take a quick screening quiz to find out if you should talk to your doctor about depression. I'm also sharing some other resources that will equip and encourage you.
RESOURCES FOR YOU!
Online depression screening tool *If you take the quiz, please take your concerns and results to you healthcare professional no matter the outcome of the quiz.
Gathering Dandelions: Meditations and Musings on Faith, Fracture, and Beauty Mistaken for a Weed by Melissa Maimone
Mental Health and the Church - Interview with Rick Warren
About Melissa Maimone...
Melissa Maimone is a vibrant, inspirational Christian speaker and author of “Gathering Dandelions: Meditations and Musings on Faith, Fracture, and Beauty Mistaken for a Weed.”
Affected by depression and anxiety from a young age, Melissa inspires women to discover the beautiful strength and grace available to them—even in the darkest of places. With her unique blend of theology, humor, insight, and storytelling, Melissa shares with powerful vulnerability that a hopeful, joyous life is possible no matter what your circumstance.
She lives in Southern California with her husband Danny their two children, Elizabeth and Cole.
"I had no idea that my life would look this."
Melissa Maimone is a Christian speaker and author. When you meet her, the first thing you'll notice is her bright smile and warmth. Yet, Melissa has struggled with major depression for most of her life.
Can you relate?
Depression is extremely common in women, yet we're still struggling to find the courage to talk about it.
In this week's Better Together podcast, Melissa and I dive into her personal story, including some difficult aspects to her story. At one point, a serious event forced Melissa to find new tools to help her cope with her depression. She shares some of those tools with us as she talks about the common questions Christians with depression ask: Is my lack of faith keeping me from being healed?
Melissa addresses that question with grace and a profound observation that may completely shift your perspective completely.
QUESTION: Have you struggled with depression or anxiety? What advice would you give a woman who feels ashamed about being depressed or a woman who refuses to get treatment for her depression? Leave your comments below.
RATE THIS EPISODE ON ITUNES! Help other women discover this podcast on iTunes by rating this episode. It's really easy! Just click here to leave a review.
About Melissa Maimone...
Melissa Maimone is a vibrant, inspirational Christian speaker and author of “Gathering Dandelions: Meditations and Musings on Faith, Fracture, and Beauty Mistaken for a Weed.”
Affected by depression and anxiety from a young age, Melissa inspires women to discover the beautiful strength and grace available to them—even in the darkest of places. With her unique blend of theology, humor, insight, and story-telling, Melissa shares with powerful vulnerability that a hopeful, joyous life is possible no matter what your circumstance.
Melissa has been a featured speaker at various Christian camps, women's events and retreats throughout the United States. She is part of the speaking team for Seasons Weekend, created by author and dramatist Nicole Johnson. Melissa has appeared on TBN and KKLA Christian Radio, and has been published in Welcome Home magazine.
She lives in Southern California with her husband Danny their two children, Elizabeth and Cole.
My first exposure to human trafficking came in 2010 when I walked by a wooden shipping crate and saw a young girl huddled inside. She was tucked into a corner of the small crate wearing a t-shirt and pair of shorts. Her head tucked into her knees with long, dark hair covering her face. How did a human being get shoved into a wooden box? How is that possible?
Luckily, the young woman in the box was an exhibit at our church women's conference. Every half hour or so she was free to stand and stretch her legs. At the end of the night, she packed up her display and drove home.
But millions of humans around the world aren't free to go home.
Over the past few years, a lot of attention has been directed toward human trafficking.
One of the things that I fear is that we think that talking about the horrors of human trafficking is the same as actually doing something about it. Even as I type these words, I'm feeling the pressure of the question, " Barb, what are you going to do about it?"
My freedom means that I'm often too busy to consider someone's desperate slavery.
In part 2 of my Better Together episode with Merrie Karimov, women's pastor at Discovery Church in Orlando, which ranks #3 in Florida for human trafficking. However, we know that forced slavery occurs in every community, including yours.
Merrie's interview walks you step-by-step through how you can get involved with human trafficking, but here's a summary of what we should know:
- Make sure that you are educating yourself about what's happening in your local community.
- Find out which human trafficking organizations are already doing the work and partner with them - you don't need to start something.
- Remember that we are not the savior of the survivor. God doesn't need us to fix them, just love them in a responsible and sacrificial way.
RESOURCES:
Fight4Freedom at Discovery Church (Orlando)
Harbour Hope International
US State Department Report on Human Trafflicking (2016)
About Merrie...
I am passionate about life, love God and love people. I am the wife of a “Rusky” (Russian), mother of twins AND one adorable big brother. I am a daughter, sister, friend and all around adventurer at heart. I am candid and creative and live to cultivate, invest in, develop, & mobilize others. I believe that inside every person is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered, developed & encouraged.
Connect with Merrie via email at merrie@harbourhope.com.
Do you find it hard to say "no" when someone asks you to do something that you don't want to do?
Do you feel a driving need to keep the peace, even if it means that you have to stuff your real feelings and keep silent?
For many women, being a people-pleaser is a survival skill that we picked up during our younger years. Maybe we wanted to earn the approval of our parents or boyfriend or we wanted certain kids to like us. No matter our motivation, the driving need to be liked or accepted is something that we've all had to deal with at one time or another.
Today's guest, Merrie Karimov, shares her story of growing up as a people-pleaser. She'll tell us about how a powerful daily encounter with God helped her break free from living for other's approval in order to live for God's approval alone.
Merrie will also tell us about how finding her identity in Christ gave her the courage and confidence to say "yes" to some incredible God-driven opportunities, like moving to Russia when she was 20 years old.
If you've struggled with people-pleasing or you want to be inspired by someone who said "yes" to God in a HUGE way, you'll enjoy part one of my conversation with Merrie Karimov.
BONUS!
I've developed a free download for you! Like Merrie, we need to live God's approval and not humans. So, this free sheet includes several verses that we can say to ourselves each day to help us focus on our identity as God's children rather than trying to get people to like us. CLICK HERE to download.
About Merrie...
I am passionate about life, love God and love people. I am the wife of a “Rusky” (Russian), mother of twins AND one adorable big brother. I am a daughter, sister, friend and all around adventurer at heart. I am candid and creative and live to cultivate – invest in, develop, & mobilize others. I believe that inside every person is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered, developed & encouraged. My guilty pleasures include sipping coffee with my hubs & blowing raspberries on my babies’ bellies.
Connect with Merrie via email at merrie@harbourhope.com.
How often do you find yourself scrambling to put together dinner? Are you tired of relying on pizza or grocery store rotisserie chickens to bail you out when there's nothing thawed in the fridge?
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to latch onto a group of women interested in transforming their families' dinner time experience. Once a month, we'd spend 3-4 hours preparing 10-12 delicious freezer meals in our individual homes. Then, we'd meet at a designated location and exchange our meals with each other in a 15-20 minute "meal swap."
I'd drive home a cooler filled with entrees and side dishes, all prepped and ready to hang out in my freezer until I thawed it for dinner. We enjoyed meals like dijon pork loin with Israeli couscous, Monster Meatballs, Chicken Enchiladas with salsa rojo, chicken fajitas with all of fixings, Million Dollar Spaghetti and so much more!
Not only did our family enjoy great dinners without the epic mom-meltdown, but our meal swap group also discovered how our meals would make a difference.
In this Part 2 episode with Laura Bell and Alison Frye, we'll share more stories about our meal swap experience and how we used meal swap to bless our neighbors, friends, people at church and even families overseas.
FREE BONUS!
Would you like to host a meal swap group in your neighborhood or at your church?
Download the first 12 pages of our cookbook, Never Make Just One. We provide step-by-step instructions so that you can successfully set up and launch your own meal swap group. Give it a try! Click here to download the free sample. We've included a sample recipe for you to try!
WANT TO BUY THE ENTIRE COOKBOOK? Here's a link to the entire cookbook. You can purchase it for $5.00. All of the proceeds will benefit mothers and children served by our Moms on Mission team traveling to Honduras this summer.
Mom, what's for dinner?
Ahhh, the daily question that haunts mothers all across America. It's well-known that 4pm-7pm is a mother's least favorite time of day. Between after-school or daycare pick-up, sports practices or music lessons and figuring out homework, tired mamas often dread tackling dinner time preparation. As much as we'd love a hearty, healthy homecooked meal, what we want more is someone to make it for us!
But, what if you could enjoy a great home cooked meal with your family without all of the dinnertime craziness?
On today's Better Together podcast, we're going to talk about something that revolutionized dinner at my house. In fact, if I'd found out about this 20 years ago, our family would have eaten at home much more often and I would have cried a lot less!
Join me and my friends, Laura Bell and Alison Frye as we talk about meal swapping. This concept began as an experiment, but soon, it changed our lifestyles and transformed our families' dinner time experience.
This two-part episode also includes a great bonus! You can download the first 12-pages of our cookbook, Never Make Just One. You'll get all of the details on how to begin a meal swap group in your community, plus we include one of Laura's recipes from the cookbook.
SPECIAL OFFER! If you'd like to purchase the entire Never Make Just One cookbook for $5.00, 100% of the proceeds will go toward helping moms and babies in Latin America when our Moms on Mission group heads to Honduras this summer.
BONUS RESOURCES
Click here to download the first 12 pages of the meal swap cookbook (free)
Click here to purchase the Never Make Just One cookbook for $5.00. (You'll receive it via email. This is a digital download. There are no hard copies available.)
Have you been praying for something for a long time? Maybe you've been praying for:
...healing in your marriage or for a marriage proposal;
...healing from a cancer or another disease;
...the restoration of a broken relationship;
...a pregnancy or solution to infertility; or
...a loved one's salvation or freedom from an addiction.
Whenever we pray, we do so with the expectation that God will answer our prayer in some way. But, what do we do when it seems like God isn't doing anything at all?
Speaker and author, Marlo Schalesky grappled with this question during her 20-year battle with infertility. During this new episode of the Better Together Podcast, Marlo and I about what she's learned about waiting on God when the waiting gets hard. We talk about her new book, Waiting for Wonder and what we can learn from Abraham's wife, Sarah's long wait for baby. gritty conversation is a no-hold bars honest reflection on how God can handle our heartache while we wait for His divine purposes to be fulfilled in our lives.
This gritty conversation is a no-hold bars honest reflection on how God can handle our heartache while we wait for His divine purposes to be fulfilled in our lives.
As you listen to the podcast, if you know of a woman who's been struggling with waiting on God, especially one struggling with infertility, share this podcast privately with her.
TODAY'S SHOW RESOURCES:
Marlo's Website
Marlo's Book - Waiting for Wonder
Marlo Schalesky is an award-winning author of 10 books, including both fiction and non-fiction. Her novels have garnered the high honors of the Christy Award and ACFW Book of the Year. Schalesky’s non-fiction releases include Wrestling with Wonder: A Transformational Journey through the Life of Mary (Zondervan) and the latest, Waiting for Wonder: Learning to Live on God’s Timetable (Abingdon Press).
More than 1,000 of Schalesky’s articles have been published in various Christian magazines, including Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman and In Touch. She has contributed devotional books for couples and children. She is a speaker and regular columnist for David C Cook’s Power for Living.
Schalesky is a graduate of Stanford University and has earned her Master’s in Theology, with an emphasis in Biblical Studies, from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is the founder and president of Wonder Wood Ranch, a California charitable organization bringing hope to a hurting community through horses.
Schalesky lives with her husband, six children and a crazy number of animals at her log-home ranch on California’s central coast.
Yesterday, I took my two younger daughters to a Black History Month community event at our local art museum. Artists from our community shared their talents inspired by African-American composers and musicians. A multiracial audience experienced a variety of unique expressions from performers of every race and culture.
As the mother of three bi-racial daughters, I wanted to seize this opportunity to let my girls see and hear people who could elevate the unique gifts, talents, and passions of their ancestors.
In this week's Better Together podcast, I want to seize an opportunity to share with you, too. I'm interviewing a Caucasian woman who's life radically transformed as a result of deciding to use her life and voice to elevate racial reconciliation and social justice. Her name is Cara Meredith, the daughter-in-law of civil rights leader, James Howard Meredith.
This is a candid, authentic conversation about race, family, motherhood. It's the conversation where you might feel God poking at certain patterns of thinking or challenging different stereotypes. Just know that God's just waiting for you to give Him permission to dig out that stuff and replace with His love for people.
In this week's episode, you'll hear about...
- Cara's reaction to finding out that her new boyfriend's dad was a civil rights icon;
- Some of the struggles that Cara and I have encountered while raising bi-racial children;
- How Cara and her husband are intentional about instilling pride in both sides of their children's heritage;
- Important, but tough internal conversations that we all need to have if we're ever going to turn the tide on the volatile issue of race.
About Cara Meredith...
Cara Meredith is a writer and speaker from Seattle, Washington. A member of the Redbud Writers Guild, she is co-host of the Shalom Book Club podcast and an adjunct professor at Northwest University. She lives with her husband and two young sons, and consumes guacamole whenever she gets the chance.
Connect with Cara...
Cara's blog
Connect with Cara on Twitter
Connect with Cara on Facebook
Cara with her husband, James Henry Meredith and their two sons.
Cara's father-in-law, James Howard Meredith talking with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr during the March Against Fear in June 1966. Meredith organized the small march and planned to walk from Memphis, TN to Jackson, MI. However, Meredith was shot on the second day of the march, but recovered in a local hospital. In the wake of the shooting, civil rights organizations rallied and over 15,000 people marched, including Dr. King.
Are you exhausted by all of the work that it takes to plan and execute women's ministry events at your church?
Does it seem like the same women volunteer all of the time and you'd like to see some new faces get involved?
Are you worried that no one will take over if you decide to leave your women's ministry position?
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions or you know that your women's ministry leader would answer 'yes', then this podcast is for you!
My name is Barb Roose and I'm a Christian speaker and author. However, I served on staff at a local church for 14 years, most recently as the Executive Director of Ministry. As a former volunteer, ministry leader and church staff, I know all of the hard work, late nights, sweat, tears and prayers that go into planning women's events. I know what it's like to dream and plan - only to feel frustration when volunteers don't show up. But, I've learned some key principles to recruiting and retaining high caliber volunteers along the way.
One of the people that I've learned from is Cindy Casey, a fellow ministry leader and long-time local church staffer. Over the past 15 years, Cindy has recruited hundreds of volunteers. She is truly one of the best volunteer recruiters I know!
Take 10 minutes and listen to my short interview with Cindy. She'll talk about how she recruits leaders, especially young leaders. Cindy will also talk about how she activates and appreciates her volunteers.
If you enjoy this podcast, send me a note! My hope is to bring hope and help to you. What you do in your church and community matters so much and my prayer is that God can use me to support you along the way.
Feel free to email me at barb@barbroose.com with your volunteer recruiting questions or issues. If there's an interest, I'll do another podcast with the answers to your questions.
Blessings,
Barb
How often do you criticize yourself? Too many of us have a running negative dialogue in our mind about our faults, failures, shortcomings and mistakes.
In today’s Better Together podcast, we’re discussing how self-compassion is the key to treating ourselves with the kindness that motivates us toward self-care and resiliency.
As a former ministry leader, now life coach, I've observed that self-compassion is the one thing that women consistently refuse to give themselves. Too often, we don't believe that we deserve self-compassion because we believe that we can only be kind to ourselves if we're perfect or only if we try really hard. That's just not true!
Here’s what self-compassion is not:
Self-compassion isn’t self-pity.
Self-compassion isn’t self-focused.
Self-compassion isn’t selfish.
Self-compassion is a precious balance of grace and truth. This means that we treat ourselves with love even though we realize that we are flawed and make mistakes.
You need to treat yourself with self-compassion. So, I am thrilled about this episode of Better Together. But, I'm so concerned that you're going to make up some excuse not to listen...
Beautiful friend, if you can stop criticizing yourself, then you need to listen to this episode.
If you grew up in a home where the adults in your life didn't or couldn't give you what you needed, then you must listen to this episode.
If you're always feeling guilty about taking care of yourself, then veto that guilt and take the time to listen to this podcast while you're getting dressed, doing housework or driving to work.
Today’s podcast guest is Kim Fredrickson, author of Give Yourself a Break: Turn Your Inner Critic into a Compassionate Friend. As a marriage and family therapist, Kim taught her clients the principles of self-compassion. As a breast cancer survivor, Kim still practices these techniques on herself.In today’s broadcast, you’ll learn and learn:
In today’s broadcast, you’ll learn and learn:
- The reasons why women obsess about caring for others, but quickly neglect themselves;
- The impact of not learning about or receiving self-compassion as children;
- How to revisit our old baggage and mistakes and reframe our self-critical thinking;
- How to talk and treat ourselves with self-compassion on a daily basis.
If you listen to today's broadcast and you think that your friends may need to hear Kim's wisdom, please share this post with them.
LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW:
Kim's Website
Kim's Facebook page
About Kim...
Kim Frederickson spent 30 years as private practice marriage and family therapist and college professor. She considered it a privilege to bring healing and hope to individuals, couples' and groups in private counseling sessions as well as workshops and speaking at conferences and seminars. In 2013, Kim was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. After finishing treatment, Kim realized that she was experiencing shortness of breath. Within six weeks of testing, Kim was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and terminal lung disease.
Even as she deals with such devastating diagnosis, Kim relies on the same self-compassion techniques that she taught her clients for many years. "I've decided to be a good friend to myself. Self-compassion helps me to be kind and caring to myself in the ways I talk to myself, take care of myself, encourage myself and accept the volumes of prayer and support my friends and family offer. I know God has a purpose for this in my life, and in the lives of others."
Do you ever struggle to find time for Bible study and prayer? Goodness, I think that I can hear all of the amens going up around country!
I get the struggle. I LIVE the struggle. I love Jesus, but I get distracted. Don't let me pick up my smartphone and accidently hit the Facebook app instead of my Bible app.
But, are we missing our blessing?
When I spend regular time in Bible study and prayer, I can feel it! The sweetness of God's Holy Spirit leads me and I am so blessed. In a world filled with rising chaos, the Holy Spirit supplies the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control that blesses my life. (And my family likes me so.much.more.
But, what happens when I don't spend time with God?
I get grumpy.
People start getting on my nerves.
My words lose their sweetness.
I couldn't find the exact quote, but I remember Rick Warren saying that when he doesn't spend time with God:
...after 3 days, he can tell the difference.
...after 5 days his family can tell the difference.
...after 10 days EVERYONE can tell the difference.
Do you want God's Word to flow deeper into your heart and mind? I'm not talking about just doing a deeper Bible study, but do you want the truth of the scriptures to bury deep in your heart?
Listen to this Better Together podcast episode Nike tells us about a question that she's been asking God. She also tells us about an ah-ha moment that she had while reading 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 that taught her about embodying God's Word, instead of just reading God's Word.
If you haven't listened to an episode of the Better Together podcast, now's the time! (It's only 10 minutes long - you can do it!)
Are you tired of watching people fight with each other? Do you get discouraged when you see Christians unfriending each other, not just on social media, but in families and friendships?
If so, then you’ll be encouraged by today’s podcast. I’m sitting down for an important conversation with Bible study teacher and author, Melissa Spoelstra for a kingdom conversation on the Bible teaches Christians to handle disagreement. She recently released a Bible study on the book of 1 Corinthians, a New Testament letter written to church leaders trying to deal with the fighting and drama in their churches. Sound familiar?
Melissa is the author of the Bible study, 1 Corinthians : Living Love When We Disagree. This is such a well-timed topic for our culture today, especially for Christians.
How do we love each other even though we don’t share the same perspective or convictions? We do know this: That when Christians disagree poorly, the gospel message gets lost and lost people stay lost without that message of hope. Friends, we’ve got to change this!
In today’s podcast, Melissa shares powerful content on living love by sharing:
- How Jesus proposed instead of imposed himself on others;
- How we establish middle ground or common ground when we’re in the midst of a disagreement;
- How Paul’s counsel to the leaders of the Corinthian church provides encourage and practical advice for us to apply to our lives today.
Find out more about Melissa's book and Bible studies by clicking here.
About Melissa...
Melissa Spoelstra is a popular women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher, and writer who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping women of all ages to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and enjoys teaching God's Word to diverse groups and churches within the body of Christ.
She is the author of theFirst Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree, Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness, Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World Bible studies, and Total Family Makeover: 8 Steps to Making Disciples at Home book. She lives in Dublin, Ohio, with her pastor husband and four kids.
Find her on Twitter @melspoelstra and Instagram @daring2hope, and follow her blog at MelissaSpoelstra.com.
Have you ever felt like your child was your parenting report card? If he or she was doing well in school, then you felt great. But, if your precious cherub was causing the teacher to pull her hair out, then you were failing.
How do we snap out of making our kids our “report card” and instead love and raise them as God calls us to do?
Proverbs 22:6 tells us to direct our children onto the right path so that when they are old, they will not leave it. If the Bible tells us to teach our kids God’s ways, how do we teach when we’re not always sure on how God wants us to live?
Today’s guest, Melissa Spoelstra coaches moms through eight areas that we need to teach our children so that they can develop their own relationship with God. As the mother of four kids, aged 20, 16-year old twins and 14, Melissa understands the difficulties and hard decisions that go along with parenting. According to Melissa, parenting is never about perfect, but intentionally planning out how to disciple our children so that they can learn to love Jesus.
In her book, Total Family Makeover, Melissa discusses how Jesus modeled certain disciplines, like prayer, mentoring and service. Then, Jesus taught the disciples how to integrate those same disciplines into their lives. Melissa will share her experiences as a mom, stories about how she’s “failed forward” as a parent and encouragement for any mom who’s at the end of her rope.
In today’s podcast, listen to my interview with Melissa as we discuss:
- Why we make our children into our parenting report card;
- How not to disciple your children into worriers;
- The CRUCIAL importance of finding a mentor mom to help you stay sane during your parenting years;
- The differences between parenting young kids and parenting older kids;
Melissa Spoelstra’s Website
Melissa’s Recommend Parenting Resources:
- Total Family Makeover: 8 Practical Steps to Making Disciples at Home by Melissa Spoelstra
- Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids by Kara Powell and Chap Clark
- For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid – Shaunti Feldhahn
- Scream Free Parenting – Hal Edward Runkel
Ladies, let’s admit that we have an awkward relationship with beauty. I actually have another phrase that I use…we have an ugly struggle with beauty.
This is such a shame because Psalm 45:11 tells us that God is enthralled with our beauty. Unfortunately, we are not so enthralled with our beauty.
How often do we criticize, complain or cry about how we look in our clothes? Furthermore, how many of us feel guilty, even less spiritual because we do care about how we look?
We’re in for a treat today because my friend, Shari Braendel comes to our rescue! Shari is considered the leading voice for America’s Christian women when it comes to the topics of fashion, beauty, and dignity. She connects with thousands of women each year to inform, encourage and inspire them.
In the very first episode of the Better Together podcast, Shari will tell you what you need to know about:
- Easily identifying your body type and great tips on dressing for your body.
- How to tell if your bra is fitting correctly. Oh, my goodness, we had so much fun with this!
- She’ll teach us a helpful strategy to increase our confidence once we get dressed for the day.
And so much more!
- SPECIAL OFFER! Buy Shari’s 27 Hangers program for only $27! If you purchase the program by January 7, 10% of your purchase will be donated to Living In Truth, a ministry that focuses on body image, self-esteem and eating disorders. You can go to Shari's website for more information.
SHOW LINKS: Shari's website
You can subscribe to Shari’s weekly newsletter, learn more about her book, discover her products and much more!
TELL YOUR FRIENDS! Did you enjoy this episode of Better Together? If so, tell your friends by sharing this episode with them.
ABOUT SHARI BRAENDEL: Shari is considered America’s leading Christian Style Authority, CEO of Fashion Meets Faith and developer of the 27 Hanger Closet Online Academy.
Inspiring thousands of women each year to new levels of confidence at conferences around the globe, she leads with an encouraging heart and vibrant spirit helping women see themselves the way God might.
Author of Help Me Jesus, I Have Nothing to Wear and the fashion editor of More To Life Christian Magazine, Shari desires to inspire females of all ages to dress with dignity and style.
She has been featured on Focus on the Family, The Total Christian Television Network, K-Love, Moody Radio and more.
Shari lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband Dave, three lazy cats and a very overweight yellow lab. Her only son Luke attends the United States Military Academy at West Point and is an Army Basketball player so she loves watching him play ball! She also has adult triplet stepdaughters and one precious grandchild.
The Better Together Podcast with Barb Roose is coming in January 2016!
Friends, life can be crazy sometimes, right? Where do you go when you are pressed for time and you're all out of answers? It's a perfect time to call your girlfriends!
Speaker and author Barb Roose gathers real women sharing their real life experience about the topics that we all care about - family, friends, career, health and faith.
The Better Together podcast will air new episodes twice a month. If you don't want to miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to barbroose.com or subscribe to "Better Together with Barb Roose" on iTunes or Google Play.
Do you have ideas for podcast topics or suggestions for great podcast guests? Tell Barb! Email barb@barbroose.com. She'll probably send you a little "something-something" for taking the time to reach out and connect.
Make sure to listen to the podcast preview and share it with your friends!