Happy Friday, friends! I’m thrilled to begin our Encounter Series today! This summer, we'll be focusing on stories of how a person encountered Christ, how they began living their life for Jesus, and what their life looks like now. Today I have the privilege of sitting down with JoAnn Doyle, author of Women Who Risk: Secret Agents for Jesus in the Muslim World . JoAnn was a pastor’s wife for 20 years before God called her family into full-time mission work in the Middle East. Together, she and he...
Jun 07, 2023•46 min
Throughout our life, events take place that eventually become our past. How can these events, or “bread crumbs,” help us find purpose and meaning in our current life? Today I sit down with my dear friend Jami Nato as we discuss life, hospitality, talking about purity with our kids, and so much more! Jami Nato is one of the funniest Instagram follows you’ll have, as well as a new author! Jami’s new book, This Must Be the Place: Following the Breadcrumbs of Your Past to Discover Your Purpose Today...
May 31, 2023•41 min
Shelby Houston was living her best life at college when she received a call from home that would change her life forever. On December 3, 2021 Shelby’s father, Richard Houston, was shot and killed in the line of duty. As Shelby and her family began to process their grief in the coming days, Shelby had a revelation from the Lord: Jesus died and forgave the man who killed her father, just like he did for her. If Jesus could forgive this man, Shelby believed she could too. As Shelby began this journ...
May 26, 2023•38 min
After a series of unfortunate events newlyweds filled with hopes and dreams found themselves in a desperate situation and needing to provide for their family. Fox and Rob Richardson decided to take matters into their own hands and after a botched bank robbery this couple found themselves behind bars and separated from their children. Once Fox served her time and reunited with their boys, she began the long journey to fight for her husband who was facing a 60 years sentence. After her valiant cha...
May 24, 2023•50 min
After enduring years of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse Lacey packed up her four children and ran to freedom while being chased by a knife. Ya’ll this is no movie script, this is real life! On Wednesday you heard from Branden Terrell, a man who spent 11 years in San Quentin State Prison for taking the life of another man. When I met Branden and asked him to come to the Happy Hour, his first words were, “you need to talk to my wife, she’s the real hero.” Today I sit down with Lacey Terrell ...
May 19, 2023•44 min
In 2012 Branden found himself alone in a prison cell facing life in prison after murdering his close friend. After battling years of anger, addiction, and living a life of rebellion, in a solitary confinement cell in a maximum security prison, Branden met Jesus. It was in that cell that the course and purpose of his life was forever changed. I’m thrilled to welcome Branden Terrell to The Happy Hour today. I first met Branden when I visited San Quentin State Prison for the first time. On today’s ...
May 17, 2023•1 hr 2 min
In a post Roe Vs. Wade society the question remains, “Now what?” How will christians in America continue fighting for every life made in the image of God? How can churches and christians have a womb to tomb pro-life ethic? Is it possible to break through political barriers and culture wars to love and serve those in need? I am thrilled to have this conversation with former NFL player Benjamin Watson. Along with being a former tight end, Benjamin is a writer, a speaker, and an activist. He is a c...
May 12, 2023•49 min
Hey friends, Mother’s Day is right around the corner and today’s conversation with Katie Faris is an important conversation about the hardships, sorrows, and grief that can come with motherhood. Katie Faris is an author, married to a pastor, and mother to five children. Katie lives with her family in New Jersey. Her most recent book, God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood acknowledges that while there is so much joy and love that comes with motherhood...
May 10, 2023•36 min
Hey friends! Today’s episode is a conversation I’ve been wanting to have for a long time. Today’s guest is Tish Harrison Warren. If you’ve been around since 2021 I guarantee you’ve heard me talk about her book Prayer in the Night . Tish Harrison Warren is a priest in the Anglican Church. She is an author of several books, as well as contributes to the New York Times in a weekly newsletter and is a columnist for Christianity Today. For over a decade Tish has worked in ministry settings as a cam...
May 05, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Hi friends! Today on the show we have a Happy Hour first-timer, Bethany Barnard. Bethany is a contemporary Christian music artist who was signed to Sparrow Records in Nashville, TN, under the stage name Bethany Dillon at just 14 years old! For the last 15 years, Bethany has been a Dallas resident and married to her best friend, Shane. They have four daughters and live in the Richardson area. Bethany continues to lead worship and songwrite and enjoys being a stay-at-home mom. She is passionate ab...
May 03, 2023•36 min
Do you struggle with living in the past? Do you find yourself worrying about the future? I’m sure at some point in your life you would answer those questions with a big YES! Today I sit down with Jeanne Stevens and discuss how it’s possible to find truth and peace by living in the present. Jeanne Stevens is the founder and co-lead pastor with her husband of Soul City Church in Chicago, Illinois. Jeanne seeks to live healthy rhythms while being a wife, mom, speaker, author, and leader. She is pas...
Apr 28, 2023•42 min
Have you ever asked yourself if you’re worshiping God with your physical body? Have you wondered if the body is important to Jesus? On today’s show I sit down and answer these questions with author of A Body of Praise: Understanding the Role of our physical bodies in Worship , David Taylor. David is no stranger to The Happy Hour and you may remember him from last December when we discussed Advent. Today David and I talk about our bodies being used as an expression of praise and worship. We discu...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Happy Friday, friends! Today is the final episode in our Unreached People Groups series. Today’s guest is founder of Activate Global and creator of Elevate, Jessica Hotz. Activate Global is a ministry committed to taking the love of Jesus to the most challenging places around the world. This mission is accomplished through the planting of sustainable churches and providing resources for people to create kingdom-minded business, like Elevate, that focus on empowering families. Today, Activate Glo...
Apr 21, 2023•53 min
Hey friends, today is part three of the four-part series of about Unreached People Groups. If you haven’t listened to our first two episodes, go back and listen to David Platt and Steven Morales to hear how God is moving around the world! Today’s episode is with my friend Andy Kampman. Andy is a pastor at my home church, The Austin Stone, and leader of Launch Global. To know Andy and his family is to know his heart and passion for the Gospel to spread to the Nations. Launch Global’s mission is t...
Apr 19, 2023•49 min
Hey friends! Welcome back to part two of our four-part series, Unreached People Groups. Last week you heard how over 3 billion people around the globe have never heard the name of Jesus. Today I’m excited to sit down with Steven Morales and discuss the fastest-growing church in the world! Steven is an amazing storyteller and pastor based in Guatemala City. He is passionate about spreading the Gospel around the nations and currently serves as content director for Radical. Steven hosts the documen...
Apr 14, 2023•45 min
Hey friends! I pray Easter weekend was a blessing for you and your people! We enjoyed a Good Friday service where we reflected on the sacrifice of Jesus, and then celebrated his resurrection on Sunday with our family and friends. Today’s episode is the first of a four-part series: Unreached People Groups. Our first guest is new to The Happy Hour but a longtime friend, David Platt. David is a best-selling author, former president of International Missions Board, and currently pastoring in the Met...
Apr 12, 2023•46 min
Hey Friends! Happy Good Friday! As we enter this weekend reflecting on Easter and the miracle of the cross, I’m thrilled to welcome back a long time friend to the Happy Hour, Rebecca McLaughlin. Rebecca McLaughlin is an award winning author and today we dive into her book, Is Easter Unbelievable? Four Questions Everyone Should Ask About the Resurrection Story . Let me ask you this, does your belief in Jesus being the Son of God, dying on the cross, and his resurrection change the way you live? D...
Apr 07, 2023•42 min
Hey friends! Today I sit down with my long-time friend, Lisa Whittle. For those that don’t know, Lisa does all the things! She is the founder of Called Creatives, Bible teacher, best-selling author, and host of podcasts Ministry Strong and Jesus Over Everything. On today’s episode we discuss Lisa’s newest book releasing April 18th, God Knows. God knows where you are weak and where you are strong. God knows your future, and he knows your pain. He knows where you seek vindication and where you n...
Apr 05, 2023•46 min
Let’s be honest, relationships are complicated. Whether it’s a relationship with a family member, a church, or even food, relationships are layered with complexities! On today’s episode I discuss these complexities with Kendall Vanderslice. Kendall is a professionally trained baker, author, and founder of Edible Theology. She is passionate about helping people heal their relationships with food, their bodies, and the Body of Christ. In today’s episode you’ll hear Kendall’s take on why the best c...
Mar 31, 2023•36 min
Hey friends! I am thrilled to have a conversation with a first time guest to the Happy Hour and a new friend, State Representative Treneé McGee. I first heard of Treneé while attending the Stand For Life conference and knew pretty quickly I wanted to learn more about her. Treneé McGee is the youngest black woman in the General Assembly for the state of Connecticut representing the 116th district. Treneé is a Whole Life advocate who is passionate about educating others on the history of abortion ...
Mar 29, 2023•44 min
Hey, ya’ll! Today I’m excited to welcome Katie Davis Majors back to the Happy Hour! Katie was on episode 208 and we always have the best conversations! In today’s episode we covered some important topics including her transition to living back in the United States after living in Uganda, dealing with anxiety, and a few practical ways she stays grounded when her anxiety is in full force. Katie also shares all about Amazima Ministries , a nonprofit dedicated to providing basic needs and school att...
Mar 24, 2023•36 min
Hey Friends! Welcome back from our little Spring Break! We missed you! Our family rested well and spent quality time together outside, around the dinner table, and in downtown Austin! I had a great conversation with author of Redeeming Your Time: 7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive, Jordan Raynor. This was the first book my team and I read for our Lunch & Learn in January and February, and I highlighted a ton of stuff! This book isn’t only for those in ...
Mar 22, 2023•40 min
Question for you. If the enemy was going to try to take you down today, how would he do it? Today I sit down with friend, pastor, and author JP Pokluda to discuss his new book, Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do?: Replace Deadly Vices with Life-Giving Virtues. JP Pokluda is the lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. JP became a Christian in his early twenties and has a passion to inspire young adults to radically follow Jesus and unleash them to change the world around them....
Mar 10, 2023•42 min
Ya’ll, grab your sweet tea or coffee or whatever it is you drink and get comfortable for a possibly very uncomfortable conversation with our guest today, KB! I am thrilled to have him on the show and discuss his new book, Dangerous Jesus: Why the Only Thing More Risky Than Getting Jesus Right is Getting Jesus Wrong . Kevin Burgess, aka KB, is a husband and father of three children. He is an award-winning rapper, winning a Dove Award for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year in 2020. KB is also a speaker...
Mar 08, 2023•46 min
Happy March friends! We have an amazing lineup of guests on the show this month and I'm so excited for the episodes ahead. Today I sat down with Jinger Duggar Vuolo and discussed her new book, Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear . Truthfully, when I first heard of this book, I didn't think I would be interested. After several friends encouraged me to give it a read, I was shocked! This is no "tell all", but instead Jinger does an amazing job of pointing us to Jesus as...
Mar 01, 2023•37 min
Happy Friday, friends! Cancel your plans and head to the theater TONIGHT for the release of the movie “Jesus Revolution.” I had the opportunity to view this movie and you can trust me when I say you don’t want to miss out! As someone who didn’t have the privilege of living through the Jesus Movement during the 60s and 70s, it was an honor to hear first-hand testimony from someone at the very center of this film, and today’s guest, Cathe Laurie. Cathe Laurie was raised overseas and her family mov...
Feb 24, 2023•46 min
Y'all, I am THRILLED to have Beth Moore on today's episode! This will be Beth's 4th time as a guest on my show, and I swear each time gets better and better! Beth Moore was an inspiration to me as a young believer and her teachings continue to challenge and encourage me. Beth's memoir, All My Knotted-Up Life , released yesterday, and let me tell you, you want to run, not walk, to pick up your copy! Even after following Beth for decades, I learned so much about her that I never knew. Incase you'r...
Feb 22, 2023•48 min
I am so excited to introduce ya’ll to a new podcast joining Ivey Media! This podcast is special to us as this couple went through our podcast course where we team up and support people who have a passion for podcasting. At the end of the course we chose one student to be part of Ivey Media and that leads us to Chelsea and Layton Boeve with Liberator Podcast. Chelsea and Layton currently reside in Michigan where they love their dog and are avid hikers. Layton lives and dies with Michigan football...
Feb 17, 2023•50 min
Not too long ago a friend asked me, “Jamie, what is your assignment? What are you pouring your heart into?” and those questions changed my life. Today I sit down with that friend, the amazing Dr. Alicia Britt Chole. Alicia is a people grower who walks alongside people in the health of their soul and their nearness with Christ. She believes that reality is a friend (and denial is an enemy) of intimacy with God. She is a wife of 32 years of Dr. Barry Jay Chole and mom of Jonathan (25), Keona (19),...
Feb 15, 2023•41 min
Happy Friday friends! Today we are diving into Part 2 of my conversation with Jasmine Holmes. We've been discussing women from her book, Carved in Ebony , and learning about remarkable women who changed the lives of the people in their corner of the world. Today we cover two more women who couldn't have come from more different backgrounds. Charlotte Forten Grimke, a born-free woman from the north, and Maria Fearing, a woman from the south born into slavery, lived lives that remind us that God c...
Feb 10, 2023•46 min
