Merry Christmas! Today, I'm re-airing a favorite episode featuring my friend Haley Stewart. Christmastide is a season of festivity—carols, parties, decorations, and food. But do we understand the real meaning of festivity and its divine origins? In this conversation, Haley offers us a Christian understanding of festivity that begins and ends with who God is and what He's done. Show Notes: Mouse Nuns series by Haley Stewart and Elizabeth Wallin: The Pursuit of the Pilfered Cheese The Curious Chri...
Dec 25, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 21
It’s time for Ebenezer Scrooge to “face the facts” about his spiritual state and meet the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. My colleague Meredith joins me to explore this sobering yet necessary part of Scrooge’s journey and the transformative power of mercy triumphing over judgment. Even if you’re familiar with A Christmas Carol , you’ll find some fresh truths about Scrooge’s redemption (and ours!) in today’s conversation. Meredith’s favorite adaptations of A Christmas Carol are A Christmas Carol ...
Dec 18, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 20
Abundance, festivity, community, and feasting are hallmarks of the Christmas season! They’re also central themes in Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the Ghost of Christmas Present. Heidi White joins us this week for a rich discussion on the second spirit in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Listen and learn how fasting, feasting, service, and celebration shape the Christmas season and our Christian life. This episode of the Strong Women podcast corresponds with our Strong Women Advent 2024 read...
Dec 11, 2024•55 min•Season 5Ep. 19
We’re diving into the first part of A Christmas Carol, starting with an introduction to the greedy, miserable miser Ebenezer Scrooge. My daughter Abigail joins me today to explore who Scrooge is at the beginning of the novel, and how his encounters with the ghost of Jacob Marley and the Ghost of Christmas Past begin to change him ... or do they? Tune in and find out! This episode of the Strong Women podcast corresponds with our Strong Women Advent 2024 reading plan. We’re reading A Christmas Car...
Dec 04, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Today we flip the script, and my friend Maggie interviews me about Advent. This season is meant to prepare us for Christ’s coming—and there are so many meaningful ways to observe it. Whether you’re new to Advent or not, tune in for a conversation about the depth and beauty of Advent and the many ways you can observe it through music, art, reading, and tradition. You might just learn some things about Advent that you didn’t know! Show Notes: This episode of the Strong Women podcast corresponds wi...
Nov 27, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Growing up with an emotionally abusive father, Kim Tschirret believed she needed to perform for love and approval. She found solace during her turbulent adolescence in taking care of her horse. After she met Christ, He began to heal her and eventually led her to open an equine therapy ministry to help kids in crisis find healing. Today, she shares how God’s steadfast love has taught her to rest in Him and share His comfort with others. Hope Reins The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Co...
Nov 20, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 16
From volunteering in her teen years to now serving as Director, Aimee Huber has worked with First Choice Pregnancy Resource Centers in New Jersey for 33 years. When the state unfairly targeted First Choice in 2022, God called Aimee to a deeper level of trust in Him. Through this ongoing challenge, Aimee has learned to find her strength in the God who does unexpected things. First Choice Women's Resource Centers in New Jersey Alliance Defending Freedom Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur...
Nov 13, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 15
From bookstore shelves to social media groups, there’s no shortage of guidance out there for raising babies, toddlers, and teens. But what about those of us parenting adult children? What does it look like to love them well without over-parenting or disengaging? What if they’re estranged from us? Gaye Clark joins us this week to share her well-earned wisdom about walking with Christ as we parent adult children. Loving Your Adult Children: The Heartache of Parenting and the Hope of the Gospel by ...
Nov 06, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 14
God doesn’t need you to do big things for Him. He wants you to take the small steps of obedience that are right in front of you. These small steps eventually led Amy Ford to start Embrace Grace, a ministry dedicated to helping churches support women and families facing unplanned pregnancy. Tune in to hear how the Church can make abortion unthinkable by creating a culture of love, encouragement, and tangible support. Embrace Grace A Legacy That Lasts: Preserving and Transferring Your Family Value...
Oct 30, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Have you ever grieved so deeply that you can’t find the words to pray? In seasons of suffering, praying prayers written by other believers can help us bring our weary hearts to the Lord. Jessika Sanders and Eric Schumacher have written a book of these prayers, I n His Hands: Prayers for Your Child or Baby in a Medical Crisis . They join us this week to talk about the comfort and power of prayer in times of suffering. In His Hands: Prayers for Your Child or Baby in a Medical Crisis by Jessika San...
Oct 23, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 12
In our sexually confused culture, “The Talk” just doesn’t cut it anymore. But neither does silence about sex, especially from the Church. If talking to the next generation about sex makes you feel overwhelmed, unprepared, or just plain awkward, this conversation is for you! Kristen Miele, founder of Sex Ed Reclaimed, equips us to disciple the next generation toward healthy, God-honoring sexuality. Sex Ed Reclaimed The Identity Project Our Bodies Tell God's Story by Christopher West The Sex Talk ...
Oct 16, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Do you wonder if God will forgive that sin or heal that wound? The one that still haunts you? You’ll want to listen to today’s episode. After a dysfunctional family life, sexual abuse, and two abortions, God saved Sheri Friedman and led her on a long journey of healing. Sheri’s story reminds us that God redeems the darkest parts of our stories and frees us to offer His redemption to others. Healed in Mercy Agape Women’s Clinic Colson Fellows Rachel’s Vineyard Unveiling Grace: The Story of How We...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 10
What anti-life lies do pro-life Christians believe? According to Riley Schneider, many Christians have subtle assumptions about children, parenting, and flourishing that contradict their pro-life convictions. And these lies are hindering the pro-life movement. As a young woman who faced death head-on, Riley is passionate about promoting life by advocating for unborn babies and parents in crisis. Tune in to hear her story and learn what Christians must do if we’re truly going to protect vulnerabl...
Oct 02, 2024•54 min•Season 5Ep. 9
When Jullie and Matt Love opened The Well, their goal wasn’t just to serve great coffee, but to share the life Jesus promises in John 4:14. Through deep conversations and ongoing relationships, they’re making disciples in one of the most diverse and busy cities in the country. Tune in to see how their commitment to loving their literal neighbors over the long haul has transformed their community and family. Show Notes: The Well Coffee House: https://www.thewellcoffeehouse.com/ Having a Mary Hear...
Sep 25, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 8
How can the Church lovingly engage with the transgender movement? This week, Dr. Katie McCoy guides us through the complexities of gender ideology, celebrating the diversity between men and women, and exploring how Christians can effectively care for those affected by transgender ideology. Join us to understand the balance of truth and love in this challenging conversation. Summit Ministries - https://www.summit.org/ Identity Project - https://identityproject.tv/ The Meaning of Sex – J. Budzisze...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 7
“When our churches are ugly, it’s a bad witness.” That’s what this week’s guest believes—what do you think? Roberta Ahmanson is Christian, journalist, and art lover. Alongside her husband Harold, she advocates for Christians filling the world and the Church with beauty. Tune in to discover why art matters and why our sacred spaces should reflect the beauty of the Heavenly City. Peter Bruegel artwork Visual Commentary on Scripture Image Journal: A Conversation with Roberta Ahmanson Godshuizen in ...
Sep 11, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In 2019, Päivi Räsänen was charged with “hate speech” after publicly sharing her biblical convictions about marriage. Through three public trials, Päivi has continued to speak the truth in love. Tune in to hear her story and what she has learned about God through it all. Show Notes: Strange New World by Carl Trueman No habit is neutral. To help you develop Christ-centered habbits, grab a free copy of Habits that Aim our Affections at colsoncenter.org/habits . The Strong Women Podcast is a produc...
Sep 04, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Are you waiting for different circumstances to flourish in your faith? You don’t have to wait, because God is at work right where you are. Ruth Chou Simons, author of Now and Not Yet, reminds us that we can deepen our relationship with God even when we’re not yet where we want to be. Tune in for an encouraging discussion on seasons of waiting, freedom from striving, and resting in God’s grace. Show Notes: Now and Not Yet: Pressing in When You’re Waiting, Wanting, and Restless for More by Ruth Ch...
Aug 28, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Dependence invites us to experience greater joy in the Lord—and Joni Eareckson Tada’s life testifies to this joy. She joins us today to share the wisdom she’s gained through years of following Jesus. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and tune in to hear what God is teaching Joni about Himself in this season of life. Show Notes: Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown Facing the Mountain by Daniel James Brown Strong Women S1 E 3: Who We Are is Rooted Wit...
Aug 21, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Christianity is exploding across India. For the last 25 years, Rebecca Stanley has participated in God’s work there through evangelism, church planting, and advocating for the vulnerable. Rebecca joins us in-studio to share how God is building His Church in India and bringing life and purpose to men and women on the fringes of society. Kairos Global Foundation Kingdom Unleashed by Jerry Trousdale, Glenn Sunshine, with Gregory C. Benoit The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person by E. Stanl...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Grief, trauma, and shame thrive in the darkness—but honesty enables us to walk in the light of healing and freedom. Tune in for a story of redemption and healing from Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s pretzels. More than a successful businesswoman, Anne is a woman of God who has walked through devastating loss and trauma and discovered the freedom that comes when we share our burdens with those who love us. Show Notes: Overcome and Lead by Auntie Anne Beiler Transforming Trauma into Triumph ...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 1
We are taking a small break this July to gear up for season five of the Strong Women podcast. But during this break, we decided to re-air some episodes that we thought you would enjoy. Crystal Downing joins us this week to talk about the 20th-century Christian author, Dorothy Sayers. Crystal is Co-Director of the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College, where scholars research, write about, and preserve the memorabilia of a handful of British writers—including a few members of the Inklings. Tho...
Jul 31, 2024•48 min
We are taking a small break this July to gear up for season five of the Strong Women podcast. But during this break, we decided to re-air some episodes that we thought you would enjoy. Lorie Smith is a graphic designer and the founder and owner of 303 Creative. She’s also the center of a landmark Supreme Court case regarding freedom of speech—a case she has just won thanks to her perseverance and the hard work of the Alliance Defending Freedom. She joins us to share her story of coming to Christ...
Jul 24, 2024•32 min
We are taking a small break this July to gear up for season five of the Strong Women podcast. But during this break, we decided to re-air some episodes that we thought you would enjoy. Our guests today are Linda Noble and Linda Stewart, affectionately called “The Lindas.” I love how these two ladies in different seasons of life looked at the world around them and asked, “What is missing that we can add?” They tell us how they joined together to learn and then create something that offers a windo...
Jul 17, 2024•27 min
We are taking a small break this July to gear up for season five of the Strong Women podcast. But during this break, we decided to re-air some episodes that we thought you would enjoy. Our guests today are Linda Noble and Linda Stewart, affectionately called “The Lindas.” I love how these two ladies in different seasons of life looked at the world around them and asked, “What is missing that we can add?” They tell us how they joined together to learn and then create something that offers a windo...
Jul 10, 2024•46 min
We are taking a small break this July to gear up for season five of the Strong Women podcast. But during this break, we decided to re-air some episodes that we thought you would enjoy. Our guest today is Rachelle Starr, founder of Scarlet Hope. At 21, Rachelle felt God calling her to minister to women trapped working in strip clubs in her city of Louisville, KY. Today, she shares some of the stories she’s witnessed over 16 years of building relationships through good food and introducing these w...
Jul 03, 2024•42 min
Many assume prison is the last place to encounter God. But He is powerfully at work there through His people, both inside and out, fulfilling the promise to “proclaim liberty to the captives” and “set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). Heather Rice-Minus, CEO of Prison Fellowship, has witnessed this firsthand in her work for prison reform and restorative justice. She joins Sarah to share the remarkable ways God is working today to redeem and restore people in the prison system. Pri...
Jun 26, 2024•42 min
Thanks to our relationship to technology, people are more disconnected than ever. Screen addiction is stunting real relationships, especially for kids and teens. How can we help young people pursue real, face-to-face relationships in the age of screens? Friend of the podcast Dr. Kathy Koch joins Sarah live at CCNC 2024 to answer that question and inspire us to foster deep connections and genuine friendships over virtual ones. This episode includes a thoughtful Q&A with our live audience. Cel...
Jun 19, 2024•50 min
Our post-Christian culture often promotes justice at the expense of mercy. God takes injustice seriously, and His forgiveness is the only thing in the universe that can deal with the full weight of injustice while also securing our redemption. According to theologian and apologist Amy Orr-Ewing, Christians have a precious opportunity in this cultural moment to show our neighbors how God meets their need for both justice and mercy through the cross. Amy joins us this week for an encouraging and h...
Jun 12, 2024•42 min
You and I are not machines. We are trees. That’s just one of the beautiful observations in Joy Clarkson’s latest book, You Are a Tree: And Other Metaphors to Nourish Life, Thought, and Prayer . Joy joins us this week for a delightful conversation about metaphors and how they deepen our understanding of the human experience, including love, sadness, creativity, and even our own humanity. Plough Quarterly You Are a Tree: And Other Metaphors to Nourish Life, Thought, and Prayer by Joy Clarkson Heav...
Jun 05, 2024•45 min
