She grew up in a Jewish home, a home that from the outside looked perfect. No one knew the hurt and pain that was happening behind those doors. As a child, she was entrusted to be the confidante and keeper of her mother’s secret affairs; a darkness that a little girl was brought into. That trauma stayed with her into her adult life and affected her ability to love her own family. She tried therapy. Years of it. Jill was broken, and her life was coming apart. But Jesus. Join me for a special conv...
Jun 29, 2022•47 min•Ep. 20
How do we talk about and process racially-motivated violence? How do we help bring healing to this world that is reeling? How do we navigate a diverse world as people who love Jesus and want to build unity and understanding? How do we lead in a multi-cultural context? These are important questions and my friend Nikki Lerner is up for the challenge. Join me as I talk with one of my dearest friends and safest places to process with. Nikki is a culture coach and she brings so much wisdom and practi...
Jun 22, 2022•33 min•Ep. 19
Her incredible voice has taken her to American Idol, season 9, and a 4-year stint as a backup singer for Katy Perry. But Tasha Layton has finally landed in a personal sweet spot, writing and singing music that draws people closer to God. Have you heard her single, “Look What You’ve Done?” It undoes me! I was honored to hear her share a bit of her journey to this sweet spot of life, including going from performing in stadiums in elaborate productions to intimate gatherings of worship and being a ...
Jun 15, 2022•21 min•Ep. 18
I love to laugh but I am not a fan of vulgar humor and foul language -and what’s even worse for me, is when making fun of other people becomes the source of the jokes. So how refreshing is it when you get to laugh gorgeous belly laughs with no flinch factor at all? Yes! I am delighted to introduce to you comedian Shawn Reynolds. He is hilarious, authentic and a precious human who loves to use his humor to bring people together. Shawn is doing good things in the world, leveraging his platform to ...
Jun 08, 2022•35 min•Ep. 17
In a field that was for years, dominated by men, journalist Denise Koch forged a path in broadcast journalism and became one of the most trusted news anchors in our generation. For 40 years, we’ve seen her on our local station WJZ, delivering the news with excellence, and covering human interest stories with warmth and relatability. I have admired her for so many years and I am thrilled to share this conversation with you on the podcast. If you’re from Maryland, you know her name and you love he...
Jun 01, 2022•34 min•Ep. 16
Twenty-seven years ago, I made a decision that I can never undo. I had an abortion. I carry with me the sorrow of that decision and I will carry it for the rest of my life. But what I don’t carry with me, is the shame and guilt that I felt years ago. This episode is deeply personal because it’s my story. No politics here- Just my story. And I share it as a woman who has experienced the love and grace of God and profound healing from my trauma. I want that for women and men who are living with th...
May 25, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 15
Do you ever feel like your best life is just beyond your grasp? Joshua Becker has a passion for helping people to live meaningful, purpose-filled lives. He’s a best-selling author and founder of BecomingMinimalist.com and his work has helped people all over the world get free from the weight of owning so much stuff, so they can focus on what really matters to them. Joshua’s wisdom has impacted my life and I am so thrilled to share this amazing conversation with you. We talk about Joshua’s new bo...
May 18, 2022•48 min•Ep. 14
We all want to have better relationships, right? The Bible is deeply relevant when it comes to how we treat other people and it gets all up in our business. And I love it! On this episode of the podcast, I’m sharing some lessons I’ve learned about loving our friends and yes, I’m still learning. I never want to just let my close relationships be on auto-pilot, but I want to nurture them to be healthy and vibrant. The wisdom in Colossians 3:12-14, tells us there are things we need to take off and ...
May 11, 2022•27 min•Ep. 13
Logan, Madison, and Taylor, otherwise known as CAIN join me for an honest, delightful conversation from a room backstage somewhere in South Dakota, or North? They honestly weren’t sure where they were! They are precious. Siblings who have been making music together for a long time, singing in cover bands and in bars.... but only recently discovered that making music for Jesus was what they wanted to be doing all along. What a journey they’ve been on... Can’t wait for you to meet them! 06:25 Some...
May 04, 2022•28 min•Ep. 12
Darren Mulligan of We Are Messengers is on a mission to tell people about Jesus and come what may, he just keeps going! See what I did there? “Come what May” is We are Messengers #1 single and seems to chronicle Darren’s story. He joins me for a warm conversation about Jesus, Ireland, making music, and his most recent brush with death in a terrible car accident, (not kidding!) where instead of going to the hospital, he had to catch his flight so he wouldn’t miss telling people about Jesus. His j...
Apr 27, 2022•33 min•Ep. 11
Do you ever wonder how people in the spotlight keep their heads from getting big? Mark Hall from Casting Crowns could give a Masters Class on how to protect ourselves from that kind of self-promotion. Mark’s focus is clear, it’s all about pointing people to Jesus. And how he approaches a stage and a spotlight may surprise you. Join me for a candid, refreshing conversation with Mark on day one of his tour. Mark is the real deal. A Jesus lover at his core, a pastor in his calling, and oh, how the ...
Apr 20, 2022•30 min•Ep. 10
As a teenager, Evan Craft took seriously Jesus's call to love our neighbors but he realized he couldn’t love them well if he couldn't talk to them. So many of his neighbors spoke Spanish and while this wasn't his culture or language, he determined to break that barrier and build a bridge instead. Evan studied Spanish and landed in Latin America at 21 years old and said, "Here I am Lord. Use me." Evan weaves English and Spanish together in his music and builds bridges of connection between cultur...
Apr 13, 2022•21 min•Ep. 9
Mitch Albom writes stories that invite us to bring our deepest questions about life to the surface. In his classic from 1997, “Tuesdays with Morrie”, we joined Mitch on his visits to his old college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who shared treasures of wisdom as he was dying from ALS. Since then, Mitch has written so many others that weave our questions, fears, and longings together into a picture of what it is to be human, including his latest work; “The Stranger in the Lifeboat”. Mitch believes ...
Apr 06, 2022•27 min•Ep. 8
Here’s a statistic that blew my mind: Over 49 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. And we know that so many more suffer from anxiety but have never been officially diagnosed. I am one of those. How about you? Ever had feelings of worry, fear, or dread that you can’t necessarily attach to specific circumstances? Join me for a practical, helpful conversation with Dr. Amanda Porter who wrote this little devotional book that packs a punch, “Dear Anxiety Let’s Brea...
Mar 30, 2022•31 min•Ep. 7
Have you ever been told you’re too much? How about you’re just too intimidating? Not available? Too picky? Too much of something or not enough of something else and that is why- you’re still single. Yikes. I hate words like that because they are lies from the pit. Join me for part 2 of an honest, lively, and insightful conversation about being single. My friends Erin and Christina join me once again and share from their hearts, the ups and downs, the purposes and perspectives of following hard a...
Mar 23, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 6
Join me for a lively conversation with two of my favorite women on the planet, my friends Erin Branham and Christina James, as we talk about being single and how they REALLY feel about it. We’ll glean from their wisdom, candor, and humor as we ponder what God might be up to in the lives of people who are single and asking God all the questions, like, “why?” and “how long?” So much good stuff here and it doesn’t get more real than we get. If you’re single, I know it will encourage you, and if you...
Mar 16, 2022•44 min•Ep. 5
She is one the most influential worship leaders and singers in Hispanoamérica. To quote a friend of mine, “Christine is an icon in Spanish American Christian music.” And I had not heard of her until the day we met for this conversation! It’s humbling to think all this time, I was not yet aware of the treasure that is Christine D’Clario! She has an incredible story of God’s amazing grace in her life, that began with childhood trauma but turned into surrender and blessing. I know you will be so en...
Mar 09, 2022•38 min•Ep. 4
David Crowder is one of those delightful people you just want to hang out with. So let’s hang out! Join me for a refreshing and fun conversation with the winsome David Crowder as we talk about everything from pandemic revelation, to cross-generational and cultural collaboration with Maverick City Music, and the chance to finally tour with Toby Mac. You’re going to smile all the way through this one. 02:48 Catching up with Crowder 08:52 Collaboration with Maverick City - Milk & Honey 12:58 Th...
Mar 02, 2022•26 min•Ep. 3
He’s helped so many of us deal with the pain of our past, and learn to share our stories. He’s helped leaders grow, marriages heal and weary people learn to rest. And he’s helped us see how the gospel is woven into our stories. Dr. Dan Allender is one of those important, special voices in the world. His work as a therapist and teacher has transformed the lives of so many, and his books have been foundational in the healing and recovery journey of those touched by trauma. Dan is the co-founder of...
Feb 23, 2022•50 min•Ep. 2
Clutter. It means to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness. Physical clutter gets in the way of your living space, your workspace, your car space, your purse space. Clutter makes it hard to find the stuff you actually need. Soul clutter is when this scattered, disordered state is internal. It’s the things that are blocking, restricting, impeding our peace, taking up space in our mind, will, and emotions, that inner-most part of us. Soul cl...
Feb 16, 2022•40 min•Ep. 1
I’m convinced the best is yet to come, so I want to learn all I can from those who have gone before me. In this episode, I share a story about King Asa from the Old Testament in the Bible. He’s a king we can learn a lot from about how to finish well...because he didn’t. What went wrong? How did he lose his way? Pop in your earbuds and let’s look at how to finish well. 3:02- The timeframes we put on our life 4:04- King Asa 2 Chronicles 14 & 16 11:22- Trusting God over taking matters in your o...
Dec 15, 2021•27 min•Ep. 20
John Cooper of Skillet is refreshingly candid, unapologetically on fire for Jesus, and not afraid to stand out. He has the passion of a preacher and the heart of a shepherd. We have a lively, engaging conversation about deconstruction, challenges young adults are facing, what faithfulness looks like over the long haul. If you want a deeper relationship with God, you’ll want to listen today. 2:05-What SKILLET did during the pandemic 5:54- What John discovered leading a young adults small group 10...
Dec 08, 2021•52 min•Ep. 19
Steven Curtis Chapman is one of contemporary Christian music’s most prolific artists. After 35 years of making music, he’s not nearly done. In this new season emerging from the pandemic, Steven shares some of the joys of being empty nesters and the tension of learning how to rest while you’re still running hard after Jesus. Hang out with me and SCC for a fun conversation about the joys of every season of life - especially this one. 2:30- What the pandemic revealed to Steven Curtis Chapman 6:15- ...
Dec 01, 2021•32 min•Ep. 18
What does a middle-aged white woman have to contribute to the discussion on racism in America? Meet my brilliant friend Maria Garriott, an author, church planter, and educator who's been in urban ministry in Baltimore for 38 years. Maria’s learned a lot about the beauty of diversity and the healing power of the Gospel to bring unity across the divides of culture, race, politics, and class. With much grace, humility, academic excellence, and wisdom, Maria shares her stories of building relationsh...
Nov 24, 2021•46 min•Ep. 17
Join me for a fascinating conversation with former Tenth Avenue North frontman, Mike Donehey who I believe, is one of this generation’s great thinkers. We talk about the division in the world and a better way to disagree, our philosophies about social media, the sweetness of lingering, the incredible timing of God’s plans and so much more. 3:08- Mike’s book 3:40- What God has taught Mike 4:57- Having conversations 8:10- Simplify 10:38- Mary pondered and treasured 11:13- The importance of prayer ...
Nov 17, 2021•53 min•Ep. 16
How do you hold onto hope when you don’t have the things you need or access to opportunities to thrive? And how do you stand firm in your faith when it costs you? Dania Adraos grew up in the Middle East experiencing extreme poverty, persecution, and isolation, and yet, she is full of grace and has a faith that is next level. It’s a faith she shares through her work as a Full Circle Speaker with Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child. I know you’ll be inspired as she shares her story of ...
Nov 10, 2021•43 min•Ep. 15
Alex Kor is the child of two Holocaust survivors. His mother, Eva Mozes Kor, was taken to Auschwitz at the age of 10, survived horrific scientific experiments by Dr. Josef Mengele, and was liberated in 1945. One could understand if her heart became embittered and shattered beyond repair, but Eva stumbled upon something that gave her life purpose and brought her healing and peace: forgiveness. If you’re struggling deeply to forgive, I hope you listen to this important conversation with Alex about...
Nov 03, 2021•42 min•Ep. 14
Has God ever spoken to you through a dream? We know He has done that many times in Scripture. I guess I was skeptical... until He communicated through a very vivid dream to me. It was a few years ago and it is still transforming my life. If you battle with negative and destructive self-talk and thoughts, I want to share a message that could give you some real help. I’m going to unpack a passage of Scripture, John 5:1-15, and talk about a personal battle God revealed to me in this dream. It was a...
Oct 27, 2021•40 min•Ep. 13
There was a time years ago when I wanted to engage with my neighbors, but I was simply too exhausted by my multiple jobs and a busy schedule. I started feeling isolated, and I noticed I was losing my confidence in connecting with people outside my regular circle. One day, new neighbors arrived, started loving on me, and pulled me back into connection. Through them, I learned community isn’t just a good idea, it’s God’s idea. Julie Heiliger is a dear friend and author of “Finding Home - Exploring...
Oct 20, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 12
Mandisa is as genuine as it gets. She last appeared on Season 1 Episode 8 – Mrs. Almighty – and we’re now catching up. The pandemic had just begun when last talked, so we chat about life since the pandemic changed the world and how she’s dealt with this hard season. We also talk about singleness and trusting God with the deepest desires of your heart. Can you relate? There’s hope, and Mandisa knows it...and I hope you come away knowing it, too. 3:17- Finally being back on tour 4:40- Kiya the pan...
Oct 13, 2021•18 min•Ep. 11
