Southern Soul Chats

 What is the Kingdom of God worth to you? In Matthew 13:44–46, Jesus shares two parables: the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value. Through these stories, we explore what it means to recognize the incredible worth of God's Kingdom and what happens when we truly discover it.  Join us as we dig into Scripture, ask meaningful questions, and consider what we treasure most.  Because when yo...

What does it mean that the Kingdom of God is already here, yet still to come? In Session One of our Bible study series, “The Kingdom of God: Here but Not Yet,” we begin exploring what Jesus meant when He announced that the Kingdom had arrived. We’ll look at Scripture, unpack what the Kingdom meant in Jesus’ time, and begin discovering what it means for us to live as citizens of God’s Kingdom right...

We’re back! And this season of Southern Soul Chats is going to look a little different. For our fall season opener, Jeremy, my husband, joins me for a conversation about what God has been doing in our lives over the past year—and what happens when He asks you to step into something you didn’t expect. We’re sharing a little of our story, including a major step of obedience that changed the directio...

In this second part of Holding On While Letting Go, Courtney and Phil Collins share the more difficult part of their story—the loss of their son Lucas and the weight of grief that followed. With honesty and vulnerability, they reflect on what happened, how their world shifted, and what it has looked like to navigate life after loss. Some parts of this conversation include more detailed and emotion...

In this first part of Holding On While Letting Go , Courtney and Phil Collins open up their story from the beginning—how they met, the life they built together, and the family they love deeply. We hear about their children, the joys of parenting, and their son Lucas, whose life would ultimately shape their hearts and purpose in ways they never expected. This conversation lays the foundation of who...

In this episode of our Stories of Faith summer series, Miranda sits down with Dr. Michael Stroope from Baylor University’s Truett Seminary for a conversation about faith, formation, and learning to walk with God. From raising a family overseas and navigating uncertainty, to discovering the spiritual rhythm of slowing down and making space for God, Dr. Stroope shares how walking became more than ph...

In this episode of Southern Soul Chats summer series, Stories of Faith , Ariel Fernand shares her journey of combining faith and creativity, exploring how God calls us to use our gifts in film and media to tell stories that inspire, challenge, and uplift. From navigating the entertainment industry with integrity to pursuing projects that honor God, Ariel offers a unique perspective on following Go...

What happens when God takes deep pain and turns it into lasting purpose? In this powerful Stories of Faith episode, we sit down with Anita Carman, founder of Inspire Women, to hear how God used loss, surrender, and trust to shape a life—and a ministry—that has impacted thousands of women around the world. Anita shares her personal testimony, including the heartbreaking loss of her mother, the pray...

In this powerful Part 2 episode of Southern Soul Chats , the story continues with Ben Bland as he goes deeper into his journey of faith, transformation, and the ongoing work of God in his life. Ben continues to share how the grace of God not only changed his identity but continues to shape how he lives, walks out obedience, and proclaims the gospel today. As his story unfolds, we see that surrende...

In this powerful part 1 episode of Southern Soul Chats, we sit down with Ben Bland, whose life is a testimony to the transforming grace of God. Ben openly shares his journey—once identifying as a homosexual and now living a life redeemed by the grace of Christ. Through a radical encounter with God, Ben’s story took a turn that only the gospel could write. Today, Ben travels around the world procla...

This week, Dr. Allison Barr, professor and author at Baylor, joins us to explore the often-debated topic of women in ministry. With wisdom, scholarship, and a deep love for the Church, Dr. Barr helps us look at Scripture and history with fresh eyes, uncovering how women have always been a vital part of God’s work. In this episode, Dr. Barr walks us through the challenges, misconceptions, and encou...

That’s a wrap! Wow — it’s the season finale of Southern Soul Chats season Faithfully Funded !  Thank you so much for joining us this season. In this episode, we explore the difference between knowledge and wisdom — and why understanding both is key to stewarding money, making wise decisions, and living faithfully. We recap the season’s highlights, from early money beliefs and stewardship to genero...

In this episode of our Faithfully Funded series, we explore estate planning and the deeper meaning of leaving a legacy. It’s not just about money — it’s about raising the next generation to be wise stewards, including them in decisions, and modeling faith-filled generosity. We define what estate planning and legacy truly mean, and discuss the spiritual side of legacy — how our choices, values, and...

In this episode of our season of Faithfully Funded, we tackle some of the most pressing financial topics facing families today — from inflation and rising costs of college to insurance, budgeting, and beyond. Miranda explores the questions and concerns that are on everyone’s mind, helping listeners understand how these trends impact daily life and long-term planning. Matt joins with his unique per...

In this episode of our Faithfully Funded series, we explore taxes — a topic that often brings stress, confusion, or even frustration — through a biblical and practical lens. Miranda dives into how God calls us to faithful stewardship of all He entrusts to us, including what we owe to the government. Matt shares his unique perspective, highlighting how paying taxes responsibly can actually create f...

In this episode, we take an honest look at debt—why it feels heavy, how it shapes our decisions, and what God desires for us in the middle of it. Debt reaches far beyond numbers on a page; it affects our peace, relationships, and sense of freedom.  This week Matt will be helping us understand debt as a choice with real consequences but not a hopeless condition. Together, Miranda and Matt will expl...

In this episode of our Faithfully Funded series, we’re digging into one of the most revealing areas of our financial lives: spending. Every dollar we release tells a story — it reflects our priorities, our beliefs, and the posture of our hearts. Spending isn’t just a transaction; it’s a witness to what we value most. We’ll explore what it means to spend with purpose — not out of impulse, pressure,...

In this episode of our Faithfully Funded series, we explore what it means to be prepared — not paralyzed — when it comes to saving and investing. These two areas often bring up fear, pressure, or even guilt, but today we’ll discover how God invites us into wisdom, not worry. Saving isn’t about hoarding or trying to control the future; it’s about faithful preparation and honoring what God has entru...

In this episode of our Faithfully Funded series, we take a closer look at cash, generosity, and the heart behind giving. We talk about how money in our hands becomes a tool — not just for meeting needs, but for reflecting the character of God. Together, we explore what it means to give freely, why generosity is deeply connected to trust, and how living open-handed can reshape the way we think abou...

In this episode of our Faithfully Funded series, we explore one of the most important questions of the season: Where does your first thought about money come from? Together, we look at how our earliest experiences, family influences, and unspoken beliefs shape the way we view money today. We also discuss why money itself isn’t relational, but people are — and how understanding that difference help...

Welcome to our new season…. Faithfully Funded ! In this first episode, we’re excited to introduce our co-host, Matt Miller. Matt opens the season by sharing his personal story and the heart behind why he’s passionate about biblical stewardship, financial clarity, and living generously with what God has placed in our hands. This season is all about practical, relatable, and real conversations on fi...

We’ve reached the end of such a rich season together! Dr. Tate returns to help us look back at what we’ve learned, celebrate the stories we’ve shared, and remind us of the tools we now carry with us. He also shares more about the amazing work happening at Truett Seminary. Throughout this season, we’ve walked together through The Interpretive Journey, learning not just what Scripture says but how t...

This week, Dr. Shivery, professor at Truett Seminary, joins us to tackle a challenging question: what do we do when there seems to be confusion in Scripture? She takes us into the Gospel of Mark and its abrupt ending, showing how passages like this can leave readers with questions—and helps us faithfully engage with these moments. Along the way, Dr. Shivery walks us through all the steps of the Jo...

This week I’m joined again by Dr. Hopkins, professor at Truett Seminary, as we open up 1 John 2 and talk aboutwhat it really means to “not love theworld.” So often this passage is misused ormisapplied—but when we step into the text faithfully, we discover something farricher and deeper for our lives today. We’ll also continue along theInterpretive Journey, moving into the 5th and final step: grasp...

What a blast to sit down with another Alabama native! Dr. Gardner, Professor at Truett Seminary, joins me to explore Philemon and dive into all things Scripture and God. In this episode, we take a fresh look at applying Scripture thoughtfully to real-life situations, ethics, and relationships—showing that the Bible is far from outdated. Dr. Gardner provides a thorough overview of Philemon, helping...