I’ll never forget when we had friends whose parents divorced after 25 years of marriage. As a newlywed I had no idea how that could happen. How, after making it 25 years, could your marriage just end? Now that I’ve been married for over 20 years, I know exactly how that happens. On today’s show Josh and Katie Walters share their story of how their marriage seemed to be over, but how God renewed it into something new and beautiful. Josh and Katie Walters live in Charleston, SC with their 7 kids. ...
Nov 08, 2023•42 min
Brandi Wilson had it all. She was married, had 3 children, and in ministry with her husband in a loving church. Brandi’s world was turned upside down in 2016 when her husband walked away from their church and their marriage. On today’s show Brandi shares how she found herself in deep grief and suffering, but how she found hope and peace on the other side of that journey. Today, Brandi Wilson is an author, coach, and speaker who has been in leadership for more than a decade at Leading and Loving ...
Nov 01, 2023•42 min
Too often we go about life thinking we’re doing it on our own. We pursue our dreams, ambitions, and goals without giving any thought to what God wants for our life. Today’s guest shares how she ignored God for 48 years while she gave herself all the glory after accomplishing goal after goal. Suddenly her life turned upside down and through the power of a praying friend, Julie Chen Moonves found herself in an unlikely position…. In a random church, on her knees, surrendering everything to Jesus. ...
Oct 25, 2023•35 min
We’ve all walked through our seasons of wilderness. Seasons where you felt lonely, angry, and abandoned. You’ve wondered if anyone sees you. Does God even see you? Friends, what if those seasons of wilderness weren’t about thinking you were abandoned by God, but instead designed for you to grow in intimacy and friendship with God? On today’s show Faith Eury Cho challenges our way of thinking about the wilderness as she shares her own season of anger and discouragement. Faith Eury Cho has been a ...
Oct 18, 2023•35 min
Today’s episode concludes our 3 part bonus series on Pregnancy and Infant Loss. We’ve had incredible conversations with Jonathan and Peta PItts and Rachel Lohman. If you haven’t listened to those episodes yet, I encourage you to go back and listen now! On today’s episode I welcome Kayla Aimee to The Happy Hour for the first time. Kayla Aimee is an author by night and a digital marketing director by day. During out-of-office hours you can find her exploring the North Georgia mountains with her ch...
Oct 13, 2023•44 min
Today’s episode is part 2 of our 3 part bonus series on Pregnancy and Infant Loss. Last week we heard from Jonathan and Peta PItts as they shared about the loss of their son. On today’s episode I have a very real and vulnerable conversation on the topic of miscarriage with Rachel Lohman. Rachel is the author of Miscarried Hope: Journeying with Jesus through Pregnancy and Infant Loss and founder of Hope Again Collective, a handmade jewelry line that shares the stories of loss moms and has donated...
Oct 13, 2023•36 min
Ronald Regan once said, “When a child loses his parents, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses their partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them.” This month’s bonus series is on Pregnancy and Infant Loss. We have three episodes covering this topic with guests who have walked this difficult path. On today’s episode I have a very real and vulnerable conversation with my friends Jonathan and Peta Pitts. Jonathan and Peta ...
Oct 13, 2023•50 min
No matter how old you are or what season you’re in, friendships are so important, but not every friendship is the same! On today’s episode I welcome back lawyer and author Justin Earley to talk about the differences between friendships and why having covenant friendships are so important. Justin Earley graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in English Literature before spending four years in Shanghai, China as a missionary. Justin got his law degree from Georgetown University La...
Oct 11, 2023•46 min
Beneath our every day smiles and greetings we all have cracks and bruises from past abuse, disappointment, hurt, or rejection. Have these cracks and bruises been holding you back? There is healing for you! On today’s show my friend Pastor Mike Todd is PREACHING about how we can let go of what is weighing us down and live in the freedom of healing! Mike Todd along with his wife Natalie, have been the Lead Pastors of Transformation Church based in Tulsa, OK since February 2015. Their personal phil...
Oct 04, 2023•37 min
Hey friends! October is here and hopefully wherever you are feels like fall! We have an incredible month of interviews coming up! As you know, each month we're doing a Bonus Series! If you haven't listened to September's Bonus Series on World Religions, I encourage you to go check it out! This month we're sharing stories of Pregnancy and Infant Loss. Even if you haven't experienced this kind of loss firsthand, I hope these conversations can help you learn how to support and be a good friend when...
Oct 02, 2023•8 min
I’m going to be honest, with the election year right around the corner, I start getting nervous! The political climate and the way the Church weaves into it can be unsettling. But is it possible for us to fight the narrative that it’s “us against them”? Is it possible to talk about things that Jesus taught about during his time on Earth, and have a biblical lens and not a political lens? Is it possible to stay humble, work on relationships, and truly be the salt and light of the world? On today’...
Sep 27, 2023•50 min
As the world’s conversation around same-sex relationships and marriage gets louder, it’s my desire as a christian to know how to listen and engage in a humble, Christ-like way. Today’s guest loves the Word of God and the people of God and engages in this topic with such love, compassion, depth, and thoughtfulness. I’m so incredibly grateful to have Preston Sprinkle on The Happy Hour for the very first time! Dr. Preston Sprinkle is a biblical scholar, speaker, podcaster, a New York Times bestsell...
Sep 20, 2023•46 min
Too often we try to fill a God-size void with the things and people of this world. It isn’t until we wholeheartedly allow God to fill us and satisfy us with his love that we can have a healthy relationship with Him, ourselves, and others. A new guest to the Happy Hour, Madison Prewett Troutt, joins me in a conversation about a time when her life was transformed as she began to fully be satisfied in God alone. Madison "Madi" Prewett Troutt is a bestselling author of Made for This Moment, speaker,...
Sep 13, 2023•42 min
Happy Friday friends! I am so thrilled to be bringing you a special series today. This month’s bonus series is on World Religions. We have two episodes covering this topic with expert guests Doug Groothuis and Preston Perry. Both of these men are filled with a wealth of knowledge and I’m so excited for us to learn together! After completing my first interview with apologist, Dr. Doug Groothuis, I knew I wanted to have a similar conversation with my friend, Preston Perry. Preston is a poet, autho...
Sep 08, 2023•32 min
Happy Friday friends! I am so thrilled to be bringing you a special series today. This month’s bonus series is on World Religions. We have two episodes covering this topic with expert guests Doug Groothuis and Preston Perry. Both of these men are filled with a wealth of knowledge and I’m so excited for us to learn together! Christians today are facing the growing reality of religious pluralism, with all of the unique challenges and opportunities that come along with that reality. In part 1 of th...
Sep 08, 2023•28 min
Structural racism and social justice in the United States of America is a complicated story. I couldn’t think of anyone better to have on the show to talk about that complicated story other than today’s guest, my friend, Esau McCaulley. Esau McCaulley is an associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. He is the author of many works including Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance and Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope . He is...
Sep 06, 2023•50 min
Kids are back in school and football season has begun! Ya'll know how much I love football! We have a great line up for September: Esau McCaulley, Madison Prewett Troutt, Preston Sprinkle, and Phil Vischer. Trust me, you don't want to miss these shows! You already know that we went to one episode a week. We want to give you the absolute best shows we can and we believe this is the best step forward. With that, we will have special bonus series and we are so excited to kick off our first bonus se...
Sep 01, 2023•8 min
Once tragedy hits there is life before the tragedy and life after the tragedy. There is often a need for a new normal to be established. Tedashii knows this all too well after tragedy suddenly hit his family. On today’s show Tedashii shares with us how he came to know the Lord and how he clung to his faith as he found his new normal after the loss of his child. Tedashii is a tenured artist, musician, communicator, and writer burdened to see equity brought to the marginalized. Growing up in Texas...
Aug 30, 2023•52 min
Disappointment and pain is all part of life’s journey. We can’t get through this world without experiencing it in some form or fashion. However, how we respond to that pain will determine our suffering. Today I sit down with Dr. Curt Thompson and we discuss the moments in life that form us and our response to those events that can lead us down a path of hope even in our suffering. Dr. Curt Thompson is a psychiatrist, speaker and author. He connects our intrinsic desire to be known with the need ...
Aug 23, 2023•51 min
If you’re anything like me you may have had a negative definition of humility. A definition that may mean punishment, or to make yourself less than. Maybe it was even used against you in response to an action. What if biblical humility doesn’t start with doing or being less, but instead starts with fully recognizing and living in your God-given space. What if biblical humility begins with stepping into the life God has for you? My friend Heather MacFadyen is back on The Happy Hour today. Heather...
Aug 16, 2023•51 min
Have you ever felt like life was just too busy but had no idea how to slow it down? Have you had the desire for change, but didn’t have the space or time to explore those changes? In today’s episode my friend Hosanna Wong and I discuss what it means to abide in Christ and live the life He has called you to live. Hosanna Wong is an international speaker, best-selling author, and spoken word artist helping everyday people know Jesus for real. Hosanna preaches in churches, conferences, prisons, &am...
Aug 09, 2023•49 min
We’re starting August off strong with my dear friend Dr. Russell Moore! Dr. Russell Moore is the Editor of Chief at Christianity Today and has 5 sons with his wife Maria. He’s been on the show before and if you haven't heard his past interview head down to the show notes and check it out. “Evangelical Christian”, “Cultural Christianity.” You may have heard these terms before but have you ever stopped to think about what they really mean? Have you ever felt like you didn’t want a label, or that t...
Aug 02, 2023•43 min
You don't normally hear from me on a Tuesday, but I couldn't wait to share all that we have coming up! Our summer of Encounter stories were incredible and if you haven't listened to all of them yet I encourage you to! It never gets old hearing the ways Jesus calls his people to himself! We have a great line up for August: Russell Moore, Hosanna Wong, Heather MacFadyen, Curt Thompson, and Tedashii! Trust me, you don't want to miss these shows! BIG UPDATE to The Happy Hour : we are going to one ep...
Aug 01, 2023•5 min
At 15 years old and after years of having difficulty hearing, Sammi woke up to realize her hearing was completely gone. Everything changed for Sammi in that moment. Needing to rely heavily on interpreters and a cochlear ear plant, Sammi was left feeling overwhelmed, lost, and forsaken. Sammi wondered if her life even mattered. Sammi Schouten is Deaf and communicates using American Sign Language. She is married to Kody who is also Deaf and they have a beautiful one year old KODA (Kid of Deaf Adul...
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 5 min
As a college athlete and rising professional runner, Kaylee had it all. She was certain of the path ahead of her as she considered training for Track and Field at the Rio Olympics in 2016; however, her senior year was bringing about challenges she had never faced. As Kaylee experienced a death in her family and a career ending injury, she was forced to ask herself, “Who is Kaylee without a track career?” Kaylee Morgan is a four-time all American college athlete, writer, speaker, youth pastor, an...
Jul 19, 2023•44 min
Growing up with parents with differing belief systems, Alicia became a student of all world religions and quickly came to the conclusion that there was no God. Firm in her beliefs her agitation grew towards those sharing their faith and happily took on any christian debate. As a deal to never be invited to church again, Alicia stepped foot inside a church on its last leg. It was in that back pew that Jesus met her and life as she knew it was forever changed! Alicia Britt Chole is an award winnin...
Jul 12, 2023•41 min
Hey friends! I hope you had a great 4th of July celebration! I am so excited to continue our Encounter Series with one of my real friends Toni Collier. Toni Collier is the founder of an international women’s organization called Broken Crayons Still Color, which helps women process through brokenness and get to healing and hope. She is a Speaker, Host of The Still Coloring Podcast and Author of Brave Enough to be Broken. Toni is teaching people all over the globe that you can be broken and worthy...
Jul 05, 2023•45 min
Enduring her parent’s divorce, living in an unstable environment, and experiencing abuse, Lacy found herself in a world of hurt and wondered if she would ever be seen. Would her life ever matter to the people around her? Her pain led her down a path of self harm, eating disorders, and no desire to live. Through the faithfulness of a prayerful grandmother, Lacy found herself reading Psalm 139 and realizing for the first time the Creator of the Universe knows her, sees her, and loves her! Lacy’s l...
Jun 28, 2023•45 min
Have you ever felt like your sin was just too big for God? Have you experienced the burden of shame? Today’s episode is such an amazing reminder that there is no sin too big for the cross and that Jesus desires for all his people to experience his grace! After years of hardships and trying to do everything on her own, Inés Franklin was a single mom, in the middle of an affair, and feeling more broken and lost than ever before. As she visited a church and heard an amazing message about the love a...
Jun 21, 2023•44 min
Friends, I am thrilled to continue 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 and listening to the transformative power of Jesus in the life of Tessa Afshar. Tessa Afshar is an incredible author whose books have been translated into 11 different languages. Tessa's books have won a number of awards including the C...
Jun 14, 2023•39 min
