Is it possible to not only survive loss but to actually grow through it? Can the things that are the most painful prove to be valuable parts of our story around which we can build a life? This week's episode offers some reflections on how loss can enable a soul to expand it's capacity to live, love, and learn. With the help of a little emotional landscaping, we can be enabled to allow loss to reshape us and become a beautiful part of who we are. If you or someone you know is trying to move forwa...
Nov 09, 2021•18 min•Ep. 46
In a follow-up to last week's special episode, this week we discuss the reality that life will often bring us situations that don't make sense. Circumstances that simply fail to add up in our mind when it comes to what we deem as fair, right, and good. But the truth is, God is always seeing an entirely different picture than what we do and our duty is to allow what we see and experience, however confusing, to help us trust Him more. Today, we're talking about how to find hope even in the face of...
Nov 02, 2021•24 min•Ep. 45
In the past, I've welcomed guests to the podcast to share their stories. Today, I'm taking the ultimate leap of faith and sitting down to share with you my own. This was an extremely emotional episode to record, but it's one I hope inspires you to trust God's hold on your life in whatever you face, to believe that He is, indeed, good - regardless of what the circumstances indicate. This is the background to everything I talk about on this podcast and, while much longer than usual, something I ho...
Oct 26, 2021•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 44
We all want to say the right thing but sometimes, words fail us in the moment it matters most. Today's episode focuses on two ministers who mastered the art of a word in season - knowing how to say the perfect thing to someone in their hardest hour. We can learn a lot from them about meeting others where they're at and offering them hope and truth and comfort by the life-giving words we say. You'll enjoy this one! Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentogra...
Oct 19, 2021•31 min•Ep. 43
It's an inevitable fact of life that we will find ourselves, at some point, in the dark: perhaps about our faith or ourselves, about God or about situations. We will struggle to face our fear as we're presented with circumstances that bring to the surface every insecurity and question we've ever had. We'll battle doubt as all the truths that were once so clear now seem obscured. Learning to walk with God in the dark is challenging in every way, but it's an unavoidable reality. Today's episode di...
Oct 12, 2021•38 min•Ep. 42
Learning how to trust God sounds easy, but everyday life often proves otherwise. Faith is a constant fight as we're tested with circumstances frequently that push us to greater heights of surrender. In this episode, we'll talk about what it means to completely and willingly entrust God with your one, precious life and to keep believing Him even when things get hard. Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Ope...
Oct 05, 2021•18 min•Ep. 41
September is widely recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month, drawing attention to the reality of suicide in our modern society. Today's episode relates the story of former pro baseball player Drew Robinson and talks about some of the warning signs we need to pay attention to if we're going to avoid a mental health crisis in our life. This is a must-listen episode for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or for those that know somebody who is. Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.gr...
Sep 28, 2021•29 min•Ep. 40
Pursuing quiet, meditative reflection in a fast-paced society feels virtually impossible. Yet, it is one of the key aspects of the faith-filled life to which we are called. Today's episode is about inviting you to make space for God to speak above all the noise...to create time where you can be silent and hear what He has to say to you. To go deeper into the life of trust and to widen your perspective on just how intimately God sees you, loves you, and desires to know you. Let's take a long, dee...
Sep 21, 2021•20 min•Ep. 39
Talking to God honestly matters. Sadly, most of us feel like we need to sugar-coat our petitions because we think certain things are "off-limits" when it comes to conversing with God. Truth is, there's nothing we could ever say that He doesn't already know. And, when we go to Scripture, we discover that candid prayers are not only accepted but encouraged when it comes to how we talk to God. Today's episode will encourage you to be blunt with God, to practice the art of lament, to speak openly wi...
Sep 14, 2021•18 min•Ep. 38
For many of us, there are parts of our lives where we've settled for "close enough." But why be content with average when we could reach for so much more? When it comes to the most important things in our life and, namely, our walk with God, "close enough" isn't enough. In this episode, I reveal a bit of my personal story as well as show you some crucial lessons on how to prepare yourself for navigating the uncertainty of life's terrain and how to find your way toward True North, even when you l...
Sep 07, 2021•20 min•Ep. 37
All of us have, at one time or another, held on too long when we should've let go...kept on saying yes when we should've stood our ground and said no...remained in a situation rather than cutting ties and walking away. There's guilt associated with admitting something has run its course - a feeling as though one has failed even if you did your absolute best or succeeded at the endeavor. Truth is, sometimes endings are necessary. Without the ability to end something, we never grow. Real change ha...
Aug 31, 2021•18 min•Ep. 36
When was the last time someone asked you how you are... really? When did someone last care enough to push past your "I'm fine..." and actually invite you into deeper honesty and vulnerability? It's probably been awhile... and today, we're opening up the space to discuss raw and real soul-confessions - to dialogue what it looks like to build community around our humanness for once and to be candid with one another about our weaknesses and struggles. Nobody's life is going awesome all the time and...
Aug 24, 2021•16 min•Ep. 35
Hope is essential to life. If you have nothing to hope for or hope in , then you have nothing at all. In this episode, we're talking about the importance of having a firm hope and the facets that go into producing it, as laid out in Romans 5:3-5. Let's learn from the Apostle Paul about what it means to possess an unshakable expectation of what's to come and how we can discover God's goodness even in the difficulties of life. Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter:...
Aug 17, 2021•15 min•Ep. 34
Life always presents us with two options: focus on our problems or focus on God. Today we talk about the importance of where your gaze ought to be when faced with overwhelming obstacles and challenges and how you can find hope when the odds seem stacked against you. Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer
Aug 10, 2021•24 min•Ep. 33
Have you ever faced a situation in your life where it seemed like God kept denying you the outcome that you hoped and prayed for? How did you deal with the reality that, instead of the answer you'd wanted to receive, you were given a Divine "no?" Today's episode discusses the fact that we all face circumstances where it feels like God's will is against our own, but what we do when we're up against that determines much about how we grow through pain. Learning to accept the "if not..." in each of ...
Aug 03, 2021•23 min•Ep. 32
Everyone's fears can often be traced back to a single lie. For all the ways fear may manifest itself, there is often one, big fear-giant that summarizes them all. Today, we're going to be talking about (and hopefully identifying) the fear-giants in our lives with the goal of gaining greater insight as well as a proactive plan on how to face and fight that fear with faith. It's time to take down some Goliath's, so let's get to it! Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twi...
Jul 27, 2021•22 min•Ep. 31
The Summer Olympics kick off later this week and we're taking the opportunity to explore the concept of success: how our culture views it versus how God views it. So often, we can get so caught up in the pursuit of achievement that we lose sight of what matters most in this life, thus causing ourselves and others unnecessary heartache - all because we're chasing things that have no eternal significance. Today, we're going to be redefining success. I hope you'll join me! Visit and subscribe to my...
Jul 20, 2021•24 min•Ep. 30
Many Christians believe that doubt is wrong - that, once conversion has happened, faith should be easy and we should never question God. But if we look at Scripture and practical, personal experience, we discover an entirely different picture: doubt is common, and it is natural! Doubt is a part of the realistic human story. Yet it's what we do when we doubt that makes all the difference. Today, we're looking at how to believe when you dis-believe and why doubt can actually prove to be the deepen...
Jul 13, 2021•18 min•Ep. 29
At some point, every one of us comes across an Everest in our life that seems impossible to scale. How does one prepare for such a moment, and what essentials should one bring along the way? Today's episode dives into some basic climbing principles and explores key truths in how you can survive the mountain peaks when you face them. Don't be surprised by the challenging climbs you meet up with in life; instead, prepare, adapt, and overcome! Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogs...
Jul 06, 2021•23 min•Ep. 28
July 4th is coming up in a few days - a time when Americans remember and celebrate their independence as a nation and pay tribute to the brave patriots who helped found it over 240 years ago. In today's episode, I take you back to a pivotal point in the Revolutionary War and share some life-lessons we can all learn about what it means to see a test through to its conclusion. When situations seems confusing or hard to understand, it might seem like the easy thing to quit, but what if things are j...
Jun 29, 2021•20 min•Ep. 27
We all have chapters in our stories that we're afraid to reveal. There's a part in each of us that just wants others to see the best aspects of ourselves - our successes, our achievements, our talents - and wants to hide from them the worst - our failures, our hurts, our struggles. This episode is all about embracing all of your story...not just the parts you like. There's beauty even in your scars and, today, we're going to be talking about how to let your narrative speak. God has written the s...
Jun 22, 2021•25 min•Ep. 26
Everyone wants to be remembered. Everyone wants to build a significant life. But not everyone desires to build a life that lasts. Harnessing the metaphor of ancient castles, today's episode discusses key principles in how to build a life and eternal legacy that outlive you and also how to prepare for tough times when they come. Don't just build for today - build for forever! Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Par...
Jun 15, 2021•24 min•Ep. 25
Dr. Lee Warren is an esteemed neurosurgeon who's been to war, written best-selling books, and inspired thousands through his weekly podcast. He's been through a lot of hard things on his journey and found God's grace sufficient in them all. Today's episode is a candid conversation about grief, doubt, trauma, faith, and finding hope in the worst of times. Join Dr. Warren and I as we take a deep dive into the human brain and soul to find out how our struggles shape us and the importance of changin...
Jun 08, 2021•46 min•Ep. 24
Most of think of time as the clock, but what if God looks at time differently? What if time was about "moments ripe for their intended purpose" rather than mere minutes or hours? Today's episode offers a fresh perspective on the concept of time and history: how we can't begin to glimpse how God is moving until we live through an experience and then take a look back. Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Ope...
Jun 01, 2021•17 min•Ep. 23
Stress plays a much greater role in our mental wellness than many of us think. In the final installment of our month-long series on mental health, we explore the role of stress and its impact on our everyday lives and provide some practical advice on how you can set healthier boundaries for yourself, better manage your personal schedule, and learn to prioritize your personal well-being. Today's episode is all about helping you take some pressure off of yourself and regain balance in your life so...
May 25, 2021•30 min•Ep. 22
Depression affects most people at some point in their lives and, for a few, the darkness is a constant companion. But what if depression could be seen as a hidden superpower? What if it had the ability to actually propel you toward greater intimacy with God? What if it possessed the capacity to help you discover your life-purpose simply by learning to harness it for good? Today's episode walks you through the lives of three historical figures who battled intensely with depression yet were still ...
May 18, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 21
Trauma is one of the most common yet least-understood aspects of mental distress. In recent years, Post Traumatic Stress has gained attention and awareness due to its frequency among military veterans. In this second part of our Patient, Heal Thyself series, I'll be walking you through what I call a "practical guide to trauma and the brain," giving you information and skills that will help you or someone you know combat post traumatic stress with greater understanding and success. Trauma resourc...
May 11, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 20
Most people understand the importance of caring for your body, but many fail to realize the importance of caring for your brain! May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we're going to be tackling various aspects of mental wellness in the episodes to come. I'll be teaching you how to prioritize your brain health, especially under times of intense stress, loss, or emotional pain. We begin our 4-part series today by discussing the importance of self-brain care. Visit and subscribe to my blog at: ...
May 04, 2021•29 min•Ep. 19
Do you ever feel like the hits just keep coming and there's nothing you can do to stop them? Do you ever feel like God isn't listening to you or that He's somehow being unfair? Jamie Ball knows what's it's like to wrestle with all those questions and more, and he's here today to share his incredible story of faith, family, and finding a way forward when life knocks you down. You won't want to miss this inspiring episode! Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @op...
Apr 27, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 18
Twenty-two years ago today, Columbine High School was rocked by a tragic shooting that took the lives of thirteen people and forever changed the futures of many more. In this episode, we look at one of the survivors whose story has become a powerful lesson in forgiveness and the power of choice. Today, we're going to be talking about the simple fact that you cannot choose your circumstances but you can always choose your response to them. You may not have control over what is happening to you, b...
Apr 20, 2021•28 min•Ep. 17
