Send us a text Discover how to achieve profound unity in your marriage, even in challenging times, with insights from our special guest, Pastor Jeeva Sam. In this heartfelt episode, we invite you into a conversation centered on maintaining a Christ-focused life. Pastor Jeeva shares his remarkable journey from pastoral ministry to becoming a leading figure in marriage counseling, catalyzed by an unexpected 40-day love challenge that transformed his approach to marital unity. With a promise of sig...
Aug 10, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 127
Send us a text Unlock the secrets to a lifelong, fulfilling marriage as we sit down with Pastor Kelly DuPee, author of "Turn it Up - How to Have the Lifelong Marriage that you Really Want." Engaging in a heartfelt discussion with Catherine, Pastor DuPee shares his inspiring journey and passion for guiding couples through the complexities of marital life. Together, we tackle one of the critical warning signs of marital trouble—frequent trivial arguments—and offer practical advice grounded in fait...
Aug 08, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 126
Send us a text What happens when you face the darkest parts of yourself and come out stronger? Join us for a deeply moving and candid conversation with Logan Huffle, who opens up about his battle with sexual addiction and the impact it had on his marriage. Logan's story is not just about struggle but about redemption, highlighting the eight years of active recovery that transformed his life. His wife’s journey of healing from betrayal trauma runs parallel, offering a powerful testimony to anyone...
Aug 03, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 125
Send us a text Can struggling with one's darkest secrets lead to the brightest transformations? Pastor Matthew from Pennsylvania joins us to share his deeply personal journey from battling addiction and grappling with his sexuality to experiencing a profound spiritual awakening. Raised in a conservative Christian home, Matthew found himself in the grip of pornography and substance abuse, leading to a descent into darkness. Listen as he recounts the divine interventions, including the pivotal eve...
Aug 01, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 124
Send us a text Are you ready to transform the way you parent during the preteen years? Join us in this episode as we welcome Marcus Aurelius Higgs, a communication coach with a unique approach to guiding parents through this pivotal stage. Marcus introduces his innovative SHOW framework, providing parents with the tools to create a safe and nurturing environment that supports their children's development. Discover how his diverse background shapes his perspective on parenting and learn about the...
Jul 27, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 123
Send us a text Can ministry leaders truly afford to neglect their own well-being in the name of serving others? Discover how prioritizing self-care can actually enhance your ability to serve effectively in our latest episode of God's Diamonds in the Rough. We're thrilled to be joined by Janice McWilliams, a seasoned spiritual director and counselor, who shares her transformative journey from campus ministry to embracing holistic self-care. Together with hosts Catherine and Michael, Janice unpack...
Jul 25, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 122
Send us a text Ever wondered how vulnerability can be your greatest strength? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Matt Shoup, an award-winning entrepreneur and bilingual keynote speaker, who shares his extraordinary journey from a bullied child selling candy bars to the founder of six successful businesses, including a residential house painting company and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy. Listen to Matt as he opens up about his early experiences with bullying and how they propelled him to ...
Jul 20, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 121
Send us a text Unlock the secrets of connecting deeply with your true self through the power of silence in our latest episode featuring the insightful Rich Lewis. Journey with us as Rich shares his compelling story of discovering Centering Prayer, a practice developed by Trappist monks in the 1970s and popularized by the Contemplative Outreach Organization. Rich's revelations, inspired by spiritual authors like Carl McCullman and Amos Smith, shed light on how sitting silently with God can transf...
Jul 18, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 120
Send us a text How do you find faith when life throws you a curveball? This week, we're joined by the incredible Kimberly Moses, a devoted woman of God, who shares her powerful journey of overcoming life's unexpected challenges with unwavering faith. Our discussion begins with a heartfelt prayer that sets the tone for a conversation about the very nature of life crises. Michael, Kimberly, and I each share our unique perspectives on what constitutes a life crisis, and the crossroads these moments...
Jul 13, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 119
Send us a text What does it take to spread the gospel in a community entrenched in witchcraft and New Age practices? Join us for an inspiring conversation with David Libby, a logger from Maine whose devotion to God compels him to build a small church in one of the most spiritually challenging areas. David shares his compelling journey and underscores why a transcendent God is essential for grounding morality and rationality. He also discusses how his love for philosophy leads him to the divine, ...
Jul 11, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 118
Send us a text Is it possible to see God's hand in the natural world, even through the lens of science? This episode of "God's Diamonds in the Ruff" promises a soul-stirring discussion with our guest, Cynthia Wilkins, an author and devoted follower of Jesus Christ. We begin with a heartfelt prayer, setting the stage for a conversation that weaves together faith and the natural world through Cynthia's unique haiku poetry. Hear how early scientists like Galileo and Newton saw their scientific ende...
Jul 06, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 117
Send us a text What if you could transform a life marred by trauma into a beacon of hope and purpose? In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Pastor Larry Ragland from Solid Rock Church in Birmingham, Alabama, to uncover his incredible journey of over 35 years in ministry. From the harrowing experiences of his childhood, including severe emotional and psychological abuse, to the transformative power of unconditional love and faith through his wife Sandy, Larry’s story is a testament to t...
Jul 04, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 116
Send us a text Imagine hearing an audible voice that guides you to a mission so profound it reshapes your entire life. In this episode of "God's Diamonds in the Ruff," we are honored to have Ana Megrelishvili, the visionary behind Christian Professionals of Atlanta. Ana takes us through her extraordinary journey from atheism to a faith so deep it compelled her to serve the hungry. Her story is a compelling testament to the power of divine intervention and how it can illuminate our true purpose i...
Jun 29, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 115
Send us a text What if the adversities you've faced could be transformed into a powerful connection with your true purpose? Join us as we sit down with Miriam Matthews—an inspiring mother, military spouse, CEO, coach, licensed therapist, and author. Miriam opens up about her profound journey through sexual trauma, domestic violence, and emotional turmoil, shedding light on how these experiences can create deceptive thoughts that distance us from God's divine plan. With raw honesty, she discusses...
Jun 27, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 114
Send us a text Can setting boundaries really transform your relationships and help you reclaim your self-respect? This episode features the inspiring Stephanie Jordan, an author and advocate, who opens up about her personal journey through challenging marriages to an alcoholic and a recovering addict. You'll hear how she navigated these turbulent waters and discovered the life-changing power of establishing healthy boundaries. Through Stephanie's compelling story, we discuss the pivotal role bou...
Jun 22, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 113
Send us a text Could recognizing the subtle signs of brokenness save you from an abusive relationship? Our powerful conversation with Lashaundra Barnes explores this critical question as she bravely recounts her personal journey through domestic violence. From childhood experiences to the early stages of an abusive relationship, LaShonda sheds light on the psychological and emotional complexities that often go unnoticed. Her story emphasizes the importance of self-love and recognizing red flags,...
Jun 20, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 112
Send us a text Ever wonder how faith can help someone rebuild their life after domestic violence? Join us for a transformative conversation with Stacy Barnes, an inspiring author, editor, journalist, wife, mother, and grandmother. Stacy bravely shares her deeply personal journey from enduring emotional and mental abuse to finding solace, self-worth, and resilience through faith and family support. Discover how the church community can step up to better support those in need and address these cri...
Jun 15, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 111
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how faith can transform the deepest wounds into a source of strength? In this inspiring episode of God's Diamonds in the Ruff, we have the privilege of hearing Lindsey Smith's incredible journey from trauma to healing. Growing up with an absent, abusive father, Lindsey faced a challenging path that shaped her adult relationships and self-worth. Yet, through her unwavering faith in God, she found the courage to confront her past and emerge victorious, dedicat...
Jun 13, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 110
Send us a text Ever wondered how faith and prayer can be powerful tools in healing from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Join us as we unveil the remarkable journey of Jeffrey Wilson, a Navy veteran and former combat surgeon, who shares his personal experiences with trauma and loss. Wilson's story is a poignant reminder of the silent battles many face and the role that faith plays in restoring strength and hope. Through heartfelt conversations and reflective prayer, we explore the emotiona...
Jun 08, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 109
Send us a text Imagine finding yourself in the darkest moments of your life and realizing that these are the very places where the greatest impacts are made. In today's episode of God's Diamonds and the Ruff, we embark on a heartfelt journey, beginning with a warm welcome and a prayer, setting a reflective and thankful tone. We're diving into the profound concept of divine impact—how God steers our actions and transforms our pain into beauty, as beautifully articulated in Isaiah 61:3. Through pe...
Jun 06, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 108
Send us a text What if your past trauma didn't define you? Join us for a powerful conversation with Sharon Hughes, an author, speaker, and confidence coach, who shares her inspiring journey of overcoming a tumultuous childhood marked by abuse and an alcoholic father. Sharon opens up about the deep confusion this caused in her spiritual life and how it impacted her self-worth and personal growth. She provides profound insights into the distinction between confidence as a skill set and self-worth ...
Jun 01, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 107
Send us a text Ever felt like your emotions are at odds with the truth? We have a heartfelt episode for you featuring the inspiring Katrina Robertson. As a woman, mother, and wife, Katrina shares her deeply personal narrative about adopting three children from foster care and the emotional turbulence that came with it. Her story is a testament to maintaining faith amidst uncertainties, and her transparency on social media serves as a beacon of hope for many. What would you do if you were called ...
May 30, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 106
Send us a text As I sat across from Reino, his eyes lit with the fire of a man who's seen history's tide turn, I knew this was a story that needed to be shared. He takes us from the clutches of apartheid in South Africa to the hallowed grounds of the Camino in Spain, revealing how his quest for a higher purpose transformed his life's journey. Reno's tale is one of a young heart politicized by the injustice of racial segregation, a soul seeking solace in journalism, and the profound impact of a c...
May 25, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 105
Send us a text Have you ever felt adrift in your faith, searching for a beacon to guide you back to shore? Dallin Candland, a poet with a profound spiritual connection, joins us to share how he navigates the waters of divine communication and the pursuit of one's calling. We start with a moment of grounding gratitude and explore the interplay of faith and obedience in shaping a life that echoes with purpose. Struggling with ADHD, I've found that poetry can sharpen focus like a lens, revealing th...
May 23, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 104
Send us a text When the weight of trauma and the shackles of shame feel insurmountable, where do we find the strength to break free? This episode is a sanctuary for healing, as Catherine Cooper, a beacon of hope and a survivor of childhood molestation, graces us with her courage. As a seasoned voice in women's ministries, author, and pastor's wife, she unravels her journey to overcoming the shadows of her past, guiding listeners toward embracing their authentic selves. Her story is not just one ...
May 18, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 103
Send us a text Amy Foster joins us today, filling the space with her wisdom on the Care Portal initiative, a compassionate endeavor that's reshaping how we answer God's call to serve. Our conversation is a luminous journey through the heart of service, where Amy's insights become a beacon, guiding us towards a profound understanding of reliance on the church over government programs. As we navigate the essence of our mission, a prayer for guidance sets the stage, honoring the temporary absence o...
May 16, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 102
Send us a text Ever found yourself at a crossroads, where the world's chaos thrusts upon you a chance for profound transformation? Best-selling author and success coach Rick joins us to recount his spiritual odyssey during the harrowing year of 2020, a period where fear and uncertainty became the fertile ground for a life-altering re-evaluation. With faith and family as his anchors, Rick turned the solitary nature of lockdown into a spiritual quest, channeling his revelations into the pages of a...
May 11, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 101
Send us a text As fathers, husbands, and businessmen, we constantly search for the elusive equilibrium in our hectic lives. Today, RJ and Dustin, founders of the Balanced Business Dad movement, extend an open invitation to a conversation that might just hold the key to nurturing that sought-after balance. By intertwining the wisdom of scripture with the realities of modern manhood, they offer a fresh perspective on managing the many roles men are expected to play. Their insights promise not only...
May 09, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 100
Send us a text Unlock the secret language of love with our special guest, Paul Zolman, who brings a powerful personal narrative to our heartwarming conversation on love languages. Through his family's compelling history and his parents' unwavering commitment to love against all odds, Paul provides a profound context for how we express and connect through different forms of affection. Our discourse ventures into the sacred space where prayer and storytelling intertwine, highlighting the extraordi...
May 04, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 99
Send us a text Have you ever sensed a disconnect in your relationships, despite your efforts? Catherine and I, along with our insightful guests, peel back the layers of love languages, revealing how these vital forms of expression forge deep bonds in our personal and spiritual lives. We delve into the subtleties of verbal and non-verbal communication, discussing Gary Chapman's five love languages, and share our own journeys of how honoring these languages has been pivotal in understanding and va...
May 02, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 98
