Shame whispers that we are unworthy. Regret tells us we’ll never change. But what does God say? In this powerful episode of Honestly, Though, Rebecca and Liz welcome Dr. Lacey Congdon—DTS graduate and expert in helping women break free from the grip of shame. Together, they explore the roots of shame and regret, how these emotions can silently shape our lives, and what it means to be fully known and fully loved by a gracious God. Dr. Congdon offers biblically grounded wisdom, practical tools, an...
Jul 21, 2025•53 min
In this powerful episode of Honestly, Though, hosts Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding are joined by Kelly Dippolito from the Center of Women in Leadership to revisit the stories of Rahab, Sarah, and Bathsheba—three women often misunderstood or overlooked in Scripture. Together, they explore how God worked through their courage, faith, and even their pain to move His redemptive story forward. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation that challenges assumptions, reclaims dignity, and reminds us that...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr
In this episode, Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez, and Kate Downing dive into a powerful conversation about what it means to fight the fear of the world by growing in the fear of the Lord. As anxiety, uncertainty, and cultural pressure rise all around us, how do we respond with boldness, peace, and faith? The trio explores the difference between being paralyzed by fear and being anchored in reverence for a holy, sovereign God. Join them as they unpack Scripture, share personal stories, and encoura...
Jun 30, 2025•53 min
In a culture that attaches worth to productivity, many of us live dangerously close to the brink of burnout. If you find yourself striving and straining and still coming up short, we recorded this conversation just for you. Jodi H. Grubbs sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about the art of being still and the spiritual renewal that God imparts through silence. Find Jodi's latest book, Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale , HERE Find Jodi online HERE Find out more abou...
May 26, 2025•45 min
In this episode, we welcome Rev. Dr. Laura B. Murray to explore the transformative power of Christian hospitality. Drawing on her deep theological insight and practical experience, Dr. Murray discusses how hospitality extends beyond social niceties to become a radical, countercultural expression of God’s love. She invites listeners to consider hospitality not as a mere act of hosting, but as a posture of the heart—one that creates space for the stranger, the marginalized, and the weary. Through ...
May 19, 2025•52 min
The Bible tells the story of the world, God's people, and God's plan to save the nations. The Old Testament tells the story of the birth, rise, fall, and partial redemption of Israel. The Gospels tell the story of Jesus. Acts through 3 John tells the story of the birth, rise, and spread of the Church. We are, right now, living between 3 John and Revelation. Pastor, author, and theologian J.T. English joins Nika Spaulding and Rebecca Carrell to talk about what it means to live into Scripture by r...
May 12, 2025•46 min
When did people believe that Jesus was God and what role did women play in the spread of the gospel? Dr. Sandra Glahn sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to talk about the mothers of the church and the various ways that men and women served together. Resources: Find out more about Dr. Sandra Glahn here: https://sandraglahn.com/ Find out more about Nika Spaulding here: https://www.nikaspaulding.com/ Find out more about Rebecca Carrell here: https://www.rebeccacarrell.com/ We love hu...
Apr 28, 2025•50 min
He denied Jesus after walking on water. He saw Christ transfigured on the mountain, but still suffered doubt. What can we learn from the Apostle to whom Jesus said, "And upon this rock I will build my church"? More than you might think, Join Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding on this episode of Honestly, Though as they examine the life of Simon Peter. Find the book And Upon This Rock , edited by Scot McKnight and Nika Spaulding here: https://www.amazon.com/Upon-This-Rock-Transformative-Foundatio...
Apr 21, 2025•58 min
What made the God of Judaism so unusual in the ancient world? The same thing that makes the Christ of Christianity so unusual today—an everlasting, all-encompassing, never-failing love. But through the years, scholars and commentators have philosophized that Paul focuses more on justification and sanctification than love. Dr. Nijay Gupta, author and professor at Northern Seminary, argues that the love of Christ takes center stage in every one of Paul's writings and thus should take center stage ...
Mar 24, 2025•59 min
In the New Testament alone, Jesus asked over 300 questions. In this episode of Honestly, Though, Nika Spaulding shares what she discovered when she studied all the questions in the Bible and how answering them shapes us. Find Nika's Resources: https://www.nikaspaulding.com/resources We love hugs! And when you rate, review, and share Honestly, Though on Apple Podcasts (and all podcast platforms), we see it immediately, and it feels just like a big, warm hug. Thank you in advance for taking an ext...
Mar 17, 2025•58 min
Who are we, and how does that answer change when we become Christians? In this compelling conversation, pastor and podcaster Kyle Worley sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to discuss life's deepest questions and how they all find their "yes and amen" in Christ. To all who are lost or lonely, Kyle beckons you to come "Home with God." Purchase Kyle's book, Home with God: Our Union with Christ HERE . Learn more about Kyle's podcasts and projects HERE . We love hugs! And when you rate...
Mar 03, 2025•47 min
The key to wrapping your mind around and receiving God's everlasting love lies in understanding his triune nature. Nika Spaulding unpacks the mysterious notion of a three-in-one God and why that should change how we live, love, and worship. Find Nika's Resources: https://www.nikaspaulding.com/resources We love hugs! And when you rate, review, and share Honestly, Though on Apple Podcasts (and all podcast platforms), we see it immediately, and it feels just like a big, warm hug. Thank you in advan...
Feb 24, 2025•53 min
Some of the greatest deliverers in the Story of Scripture go largely unnoticed. Author and Bible teacher Mary DeMuth joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about what we miss when we neglect their stories. Find more about Mary Demuth at https://www.marydemuth.com/about/ Her latest book is called The Most Overlooked Women in the Bible: What Their Stories Teach Us About Being Seen and Heard. Find all of her books here: https://www.marydemuth.com/bookstore/ We love hugs! And when you rate,...
Feb 17, 2025•48 min
Jason and Tracy Binder's world came crashing down in February of 2022 when a doctor pointed to a shadow on an MRI and told her she had a deadly form of brain cancer. Two surgeries and two years later, the Binders are dedicated to helping couples with similar diagnoses survive and grow through the trauma. Their journey through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the emotional toll of cancer has profoundly shaped their approach to marriage and parenting. They understand the immense strain a brain...
Oct 14, 2024•54 min
A ragtag homeless rabbi. Twelve unlearned young men who bickered about who was the best. And a high-ranking Jewish official who would stop at nothing to destroy them. The early church faced seemingly impossible odds, yet by the end of the first century, Christianity had spread across the known world. On this special edition of Honestly, Though , Dallas Theological President Dr. Mark Yarbrough and Vice President of Communications and Community Dr. Josh Winn sit down with Rebecca Carrell to discus...
Oct 07, 2024•54 min
You may have noticed that November 2024 is significant in American politics. Author David T. Koyzis, political scientist and activist, joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss what we often miss when approaching elections. Find David Online: AUTHOR: David T. Koyzis BOOK: Citizenship Without Illusions BOOK INFO: https://www.ivpress.com/citizenship-without-illusions PRESS KIT: https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Press-Kits/A0862-press.pdf BIO: https://www.ivpress.com/david-t-koyzis Rea...
Sep 03, 2024•44 min
When author Amanda Hayhurst accepted God's call on her life, she had no idea it would lead her to the back door of Atlanta's shadiest clubs. But what she found on the other side was fertile soil for seeds of grace. Join Rebecca Carrell, Nika Spaulding, and Amanda for a conversation you won't soon forget. Amanda Hayhurst is an author and graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary. She is passionate about encouraging others and considers herself a ‘hype woman’ for other women. She has been married ...
Aug 26, 2024•52 min
Do you believe that every moment of life holds sacred potential? Or that God is intimately involved in even the most seemingly mundane moments of your life? Dr. David Taylor joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about praying our lives back to God and experiencing the comfort, delight, and even laughter of the Holy Spirit. Information on David Taylor : BOOK: Prayers for the Pilgrimage: A Book of Collects for All of Life BOOK INFO: https://www.ivpress.com/prayers-for-the-pilgrimage EXCE...
Aug 19, 2024•55 min
The Apostle Paul mastered the art of contextualizing the gospel—entering into a culture, analyzing its societal norms, and using them to point to the work of Christ and the life of the believer. And like pastors and teachers today, he found many parallels in sports. This week on Honestly, Though, Nika Spaulding walks us through sports in the ancient Roman Empire and what Paul envisioned when he referenced them.
Aug 12, 2024•51 min
After several months off, Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez, and Nika Spaulding are back to discuss the big changes they've experienced over the summer and how the Lord has faithfully comforted them along the way. We love hugs! And when you rate, review, and share Honestly, Though on Apple Podcasts (and all podcast platforms), we see it immediately, and it feels just like a big, warm hug. Thank you in advance for taking an extra moment to make sure others find us in the algorithms. And speaking of ...
Aug 05, 2024•51 min
After a two-year journey of deep loss and heavy grief, Bible Teacher and Women's Minister Kris Murphy sits down with Rebecca Carrell and licensed professional counselor Sal Allen to talk about finding pinpoints of light in the valleys of life. Connect with Kris Murphy HERE . Purchase Kris's Bible studies HERE . Find Kris on Facebook HERE . Find Kris on Instagram HERE . We love hugs! And when you rate, review, and share Honestly, Though, on Apple Podcasts (and all podcast platforms), we see it im...
May 27, 2024•57 min
The news has seen no shortage of church scandals over the past few decades. How do we move forward when the place commissioned to love and care for us becomes a place of abuse or wounding? Author and activist Mary DeMuth joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss her church-hurt journey and offer hope to the hurting. Connect with Mary DeMuth at https://www.marydemuth.com/ Find Mary's church-hurt checklist HERE . Find Mary on social media at @MaryDeMuth We love hugs! And when you rate, re...
May 20, 2024•55 min
Did you know the Lord has wired and gifted you to walk out your purpose? In God's great kindness, he has woven your deepest joy into your gifting. Dr. Amanda Boddeker sits down with Rebecca Carrell and guest cohost Taylor Standridge (you may remember him as Jay Allen on 90.9 KCBI) to discuss discovering your giftedness to live life to the fullest. Take the giftedness workshop at The Hendricks Center at Dallas Theological Seminary: https://hendrickscenter.dts.edu/event/giftedness-workshop/ Connec...
May 13, 2024•43 min
When we open our Bibles to the Prophets, we are reading literature that is thousands of years old, from a world that no longer exists, to a people under God's covenant. So how should we, as believers in Christ as God's Messiah, approach the books? Dr. John Walton, author of the Lost World series, sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to unlock the lost world of the prophets. Purchase The Lost World of the Prophets HERE . See The Lost World series HERE . We love hugs! And when you rat...
May 06, 2024•51 min
If we're being honest, there are parts of the Bible many of us skip over in our reading plans—obscure minor prophets, Leviticus, and the long lists of names. But Dr. Nancy Dawson, who has charted every genealogy in Scripture, says we miss precious treasure when we neglect any of God's Word. Join Rebecca Carrell, guest co-host Kris Murphy, and Nancy Dawson as they take a close look at the differences between Matthew and Luke's genealogies and examine why names matter in the biblical record. Purch...
Apr 29, 2024•53 min
Have you ever wondered how the Bible came to be? How did we end up with the books that we have and who made that decision? Are all of the stories true? Should we take every book of the Bible literally? Dr. Susan Lim, historian, and professor at Biola University, sits down with Rebecca Carrell, Nika Spaulding, and Liz Rodriguez to discuss how knowing the history of the Scriptures can fortify our faith. Susan Lim is a former professor who spent over 20 years teaching in higher education. She earne...
Apr 22, 2024•51 min
As a little girl, Christian Williams tried to flush her tights down the church toilet. As a teen and into her twenties, she was told she was "the wrong kind of girl." Those messages led her to question sexuality, gender, femininity, and godliness. Today she encourages anyone who feels they fail to fit in, measure up, or fit the mold with the beautiful reminder that our highest call is to grow in the image and likeness of Christ. Christian Williams (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) serves as the...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr
Everyone experiences mental affliction in some way. Sometimes through long seasons of suffering. Other times through a quiet discomforting sense that all is not as it should be. Dr. Alan Noble sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to talk about "the burden and gift of living," and how, in the darkest times, even get out of bed is an act of worship and an acknowledgment of God's goodness. To learn more about Alan Noble and to purchase his book, visit his website: https://www.oalannobl...
Apr 08, 2024•42 min
For centuries, Christians have wrestled with the wrath of God and how to understand why Jesus flipped tables in the temple. Old Testament scholar Lindsay Ann Nickens sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss how Herod's temple became a hotbed of exploitation, sexism, and racism. We love hugs! And when you rate, review, and share Honestly, Though on Apple Podcasts (and all podcast platforms), we see it immediately, and it feels just like a big, warm hug. Thank you in advance for...
Apr 01, 2024•45 min
Author and Pastor Brian Zahnd walked a five-hundred-mile pilgrimage from France to Spain, examining crucifixes and meditating on what he saw. Five years later, he put pen to paper to discuss a kaleidoscopic view of the cross of Christ and what we miss in our modern-day understanding of Jesus's death, resurrection, and ascension . We used some big seminary words! Here they are: Atonement : The reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ Penal Substitutionary ...
Mar 25, 2024•50 min
