Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?

Melissa Kruger serves as the Vice President of Discipleship Programming at The Gospel Coalition . As an author and Bible teacher, she regularly teaches women in her community and speaks at conferences around the country. I'm so excited to have her on the show today to talk about her latest book,  Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens For Christ in a Secular Age, and dive into the ins and outs of rais...

My guest this week is the lovely Myquillyn Smith, also known as The Nester. She is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Welcome Home and Cozy Minimalist Home . For over a decade, she has been encouraging women to embrace imperfections and live boldly in their spaces through her blog. Myquillyn's home in North Carolina has been featured in publications such as Better Home...

My guest this week is the incredible Mattie Jackson Smith. Mattie is an author, podcaster, and speaker whose life took an unexpected turn when she tragically lost her 28-year-old husband to a traumatic brain injury just weeks before their first anniversary. Her first book, Lemons on Friday , offers a raw and honest account of her journey through grief, providing solace and guidance to others navig...

Join me in this week's episode as I sit down with my dear friend and extraordinary human being, Kim Butler. Kim is the lead coach and founder of  The Whiteboard Room, where she empowers creatives, leaders, and companies to unlock their true potential through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements. With a heart fueled by faith, family, and a passion for adventure (and a Diet Dr. P...

The day is FINALLY here! Yesterday marked the official launch of my book, which means you can now purchase If I Don't Laugh I'll Cry everywhere books are sold! To make this moment even more special, I'm joined by the one and only John Stillman in today's episode. Although he didn't prepare his interview questions (but don't you worry- he never fails to prepare a joke or two) we had a blast reminis...

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome the most special guest ever on my show- my dad. With the release of my book just around the corner (coming out next week- can you believe it?!) I couldn't think of a better time to have him on the podcast. Together, we dig into some of the stories that are (and aren't) talked about in my book. Join us as we laugh, reminisce, and share stories of the joys, the cha...

PREORDER MY BOOK - IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib My guest this week is the hilarious Dustin Nickerson, a comedian from Seattle now suffering in Southern California. In 2020 he releas...

We have such an incredible guest joining us for today's show! Bola Sokunbi is a certified financial instructor (CFEI), money expert, speaker, and founder of Clever Girl Finance, one of the largest personal finance media platforms for women in the U.S. Bola received the  2021 Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award from the National Council of Financial Educators and is a 4x best-selling a...

I am so incredibly excited to sit down with Joy Clarkson in this week's episode. Joy wears many hats - from being a research associate in theology and literature at King's College London to serving as the Books and Culture Editor for Plough Quarterly. Completing her Ph. D. in theology at the University of Saint Andrews, she's also the face behind the popular podcast Speaking with Joy and the autho...

My guest this week is the amazing Donna Jones. Donna is a national speaker, church planter, pastor's wife, and self-described bible explainer with a remarkable speaking portfolio spanning 26 states and 4 continents. Donna is also the host of the weekly That's Just What I Needed podcast and the talented author behind Seek: A Woman's Guide to Meeting God, Taming Your Family Zoo, the Get Healthy Bibl...

My guest this week is the incredible Rose Booth . With over 30 years of experience in technology and publishing, Rose is a dedicated mentor and counselor, passionate about ministry and teaching. She is also the co-host of the podcast, One Single Thought. In December 2021, Rose's life took a turn when she became an amputee, offering her a new perspective on life. Her first book, Dancing in the Vall...

This week, I am sitting down with the incredible John R. Miles, the driving force behind the wildly popular Passion Struck podcast and nationally recognized radio show. With a background as a former US Navy officer and a senior executive at a Fortune 50 company, John is celebrated as a transformative leader in intentional behavior change and personal mastery. He's an author, entrepreneur, and visi...

My guest this week is Matt Brown, the founding and senior pastor at Sandals church in Riverside, California. From a humble eight-person church plant in 1997, Sandals Church has now expanded to 14 physical campuses across California, with a digital footprint touching 110,000 people weekly. In our conversation, Pastor Matt shares insights from his latest book, Every Day a Miracle . He challenges us...

Today we're joined by my good friend, Shannon Leyko. Shannon is an author, podcast host, mother of three, and a military wife who recently moved from Alaska to Florida with her family.   As a former Miss New York for the Miss America Organization, classically trained vocalist, and reality television development producer, Shannon has worn many hats throughout her life. Along with this, her book, Yo...

My guest this week is the incredible Susie Larson, who you might know as the host of the popular radio show, Susie Larson Live.   Susie is also a best-selling author and national speaker who is passionate about helping people discover the depth of God's love, the value of their soul, and their calling in Christ Jesus. Susie is a two-time finalist for the John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership...

Welcome to the first official episode recorded in 2024! After an incredible year filled with so many inspiring conversations, I've decided to shake things up and steer away from the usual New Year's resolutions talk this year. Let's face it, there's nothing inherently magical about January 1 st . So instead, I want to share some of my favorite lessons from the podcast and life in 2023. I hope this...

We're kicking off the new year with Bill and Kristi Gaultiere. They are Doctors of Psychology and founders of the Soul Shepherding Institute, a ministry dedicated to helping pastors, leaders, churches and more thrive with Jesus in emotional and relational health. Bill and Kristi have authored several soul care books and resources, such as their newest book, "Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith." I'm...

This week, I'm excited to welcome Ginny Yurich, a homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside- a global movement reclaiming childhood and fostering family connections through nature-based play. Alongside her husband, Josh, Ginny is the brilliant mind behind the 1000 Hours Outside lifestyle brand, featuring an online store, app, podcast, a brand new book, and much more. Wheth...

Jenny and Dave Marrs have been restoring and renovating historic homes since 2004. You may know them as the stars of the HGTV show Fixer to Fabulous, where they showcase their amazing work in their charming hometown, Bentonville, Arkansas.  Jenny and Dave believe that beautiful spaces are often imperfect and full of character, much like those who live there. Faith, family, and community are the dr...

This week, I am thrilled to have the incredible Ciara Laine Myers as my guest. Ciara is a mother, award winning business owner, and author of the book Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision is Gone. This book is an collection of personal stories and life lessons brimming with heart, passion, and raw authenticity that will resonate with every reader. In our conversation today, Ciara and I dive in...

This week's guest is the incredible Dr. Emily Smith, who you might also know as the Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist on social media. Emily is an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Surgery at Duke University and at the Duke Global Health Institute. With a background that includes four years at Baylor University, a PhD in Epidemiology from UNC Chapel Hill, and an MSPH f...

Our guest this week is the incredible Adrienne Bankert, award-winning national news anchor and host of "Morning in America" on News Nation. With an impressive background that includes five years at ABC News, two Emmys for her work on "Good Morning America," and coverage of global events from Tokyo to Paris, Adrienne has worked with some of the biggest names and headlines throughout her career. We'...

Today's guest, Anh Lin, is a celebrated interior stylist known for her captivating designs and thought-provoking writing, including The Abundant Life Devotional Journal . Anh is also the creator of the popular faith and lifestyle blog, Girl And The Word, which has since expanded its influence through YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok, and her online shop, The Hooga Shop. In this episode, we dive deep in...

I am beyond excited to announce that after 7+ years in the making, my book, If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry: How Death, Debt, and Comedy Led to a Life of Faith, Farming, and Forgetting What I Came in This Room For , is now available for pre-order. It feels so surreal that this day is here.  Today I'm going to give you a glimpse into this journey and share the inspiration behind writing this book. This...

This week, we have an incredible guest, Jay Hewitt, joining us. He is a pastor, author and motivational speaker, and his life journey is nothing short of a remarkable testimony of courage and faith. At the age of 37, Jay was confronted with a devastating diagnosis- terminal brain cancer. Through this experience, he found strength in God and embraced his calling to be a storyteller. His memoir, I A...