Come Over for Dinner!

Join Rachel Oliver, pastor’s wife, church event coordinator, and weekly Sabbath dinner host, as she shares a flavorful menu, a dessert perfect for fall, and the joy of hosting a women’s fellowship gathering in her home. Rachel reminds us that hospitality looks different in different seasons of life and shares how to get past the fear of hosting. We discuss practical tips like keeping food warm whi...

Join Leah Schroeder, a pastor’s wife, as she shares how she and her husband practice hospitality in their church and family life. Leah offers numerous recipe ideas, encourages us to look at our homes with fresh eyes, and shares ways to get kids involved in the preparation. We talk about the importance of truly welcoming guests when they walk through the door, why creating a special drink can be su...

In this episode, host Bess Hawthorne sits down with Rachel Jankovic to talk about her new book, No Time to Be Dumb , and her latest project, Fresh Tank: Weekly Encouragement for Women. They discuss how our emotions can bring glory to God, learning and growing from mistakes, and the importance of the work we do at home.  In Episode 2, it’s all about the Grace Agenda Block Party! Bess and Rachel tak...

In this episode, host Bess Hawthorne sits down with Rachel Jankovic to talk about her new book, No Time to Be Dumb , and her latest project, Fresh Tank: Weekly Encouragement for Women. They discuss how our emotions can bring glory to God, learning and growing from mistakes, and the importance of the work we do at home.  In Episode 2, it’s all about the Grace Agenda Block Party! Bess and Rachel tak...

Join Araz Torosyan as she shares the many hospitality lessons she's learned through frequent moves as a Navy spouse. From hilarious newlywed cooking disasters to confidently hosting a beloved soup night for her husband's dive school classmates, Araz reflects on how opening her home has grown over the years. She also shares her creative approach to building community in every new place (h...

Join Valerie Abraham as she shares how her upbringing in France, life in America, and marriage to her Egyptian American husband have shaped her unique approach to cooking and hospitality. From Sunday morning coffee and pastries to practical table décor on a budget (including dollar store dishes!), Valerie offers inspiring ideas, kitchen must-haves she uses daily, three favorite book recommendation...

Join Valerie Abraham as she shares how her upbringing in France, life in America, and marriage to her Egyptian American husband have shaped her unique approach to cooking and hospitality. From Sunday morning coffee and pastries to practical table décor on a budget (including dollar store dishes!), Valerie offers inspiring ideas, kitchen must-haves she uses daily, three favorite book recommendation...

Join Mandi Kirsch as we discuss how to make events truly special, from family Advent feasts to memorable weddings. Mandi tells the story of how she became her church’s go-to wedding planner, complete with an impressive collection of décor stored in her basement available for others to borrow. She also offers a family favorite recipe featuring a magic ingredient, an authentic Mexican side dish, and...

Join Ericha Van Brimmer as we talk about finding your style of hospitality, what works for you in your current stage of life, and how that will naturally change over time. Her advice: think through who your guests are and how to bless them, starting with your family first. She encourages us to remember that hospitality is a way of life, not a performance, and that your hospitality "muscle&quo...

Join Kirsten Miller for a conversation on what hospitality looks like as a grandmother. In this episode, we discuss how to be GREAT in your role as a grandma, mother-in-law, and parent to adult children. Kirsten shares many creative ways to spend time with your grandchildren, along with tips for hosting large, kid-filled gatherings. We reflect on seasons of life, the gifts God has given each of us...

Join Kirsten Miller for a conversation on what hospitality looks like as a grandmother. In this episode, we discuss how to be GREAT in your role as a grandma, mother-in-law, and parent to adult children. Kirsten shares many creative ways to spend time with your grandchildren, along with tips for hosting large, kid-filled gatherings. We reflect on seasons of life, the gifts God has given each of us...

Join Mary Ellen Turner as she shares practical, realistic ways to practice hospitality in the busy years of raising little kids. From delicious meals the kids happily devour to a plan for preparing meals for others, Mary Ellen shares numerous tips you'll find very helpful. She discusses a clever cleaning tip, ways to welcome the littlest guests, an after-lunch treat for the adults, and how th...

Join Lorin Grimaldi, mom of six and church potluck coordinator, as she shares practical tips on feeding families at church and at home, teaching kids to help with cleaning, and using clever systems like color-coding to bring order to everyday life. She also shares her five-minute tip, a simple habit that helps you pause and warmly greet your guests. We talk about delicious recipes and the gift of...

Join Hero Merkle, a florist, caterer, and recent college grad, as she discusses the art of creating beautiful floral arrangements and shares stress-free strategies for cooking on a large scale. She's coordinated a delicious menu you’ll want to make again and again. Hero reveals a little-known grocery store hack, offers advice on thoughtful communication with guests, and highlights a must-have...

Join Hero Merkle, a florist, caterer, and recent college grad, as she discusses the art of creating beautiful floral arrangements and shares stress-free strategies for cooking on a large scale. She's coordinated a delicious menu you’ll want to make again and again. Hero reveals a little-known grocery store hack, offers advice on thoughtful communication with guests, and highlights a must-have...

Celebrate Easter with a three-day family feast - Feaster! Join Kim and Kristina Hatcher as they discuss how to expand the holiday into a whirlwind of fun, food, and activities for all ages. From starting the week with a Holy Week liturgy to planning a full Feaster schedule and recipes to feed the crowd, this episode is packed with ideas to make your celebration joyous. To cap it off, the Hatchers...

Join Annika Haney, a college senior, as we talk about practicing hospitality in the middle of college life — from crêpe nights and roommate dinners that build community to birthday celebrations that make people feel loved. She shares practical ways to host on a budget and a busy schedule, living out her house motto: live with people, not just alongside them. Annika also offers favorite recipes, he...

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Alyssa Donovan from Canada, best known for her incredible sourdough creations! We dive into everything from making your own starter to tips and resources for making delicious loaves. She even shares a dessert focaccia recipe! Alyssa talks about the best flours for gluten-free baking, so your baked goods turn out soft and fluffy, and she recommends a site...

In this episode, Ginger Elmore, mother of nine, joins me with two of her daughters, Courtney and Trinity, to talk about raising capable, confident daughters who help create a hospitable home. Ginger shares wisdom on preparing girls to step in and skillfully take charge in the kitchen and other areas of hospitality, while Courtney and Trinity discuss what they've learned from their mom. Togeth...

Join Lizze Miller as she discusses how to dive into hospitality when you’re new to town ( She's moved 7 times in 4 years! ) and how to make others feel comfortable. Lizze shares her theory on building a well-balanced dish and menu and how to use a timeline approach. She's known best for cakes. You won't want to miss her famous recipe or her fun ideas for a cookbook club! We're...

Join Elizabeth Landis as we discuss her new book, The Forgotten Realm . While church and family are familiar places where we spend much of our time, Elizabeth helps us understand the often-overlooked civil realm and why it matters. She encourages us to make this realm a part of our lives and offers practical advice on where to begin. We then jump back into the family realm for quick, flavor-packed...

Immigrating from Russia as a teen, Nicole Shuparski offers a unique perspective on serving others including a humorous look into life on her church’s hospitality committee. From the cauldron-sized pot she uses for her beloved clam chowder to the oar she stirs it with, Nicole shares her must-have tools and reliable recipes, including trusted King Arthur Baking classics. She highlights the importanc...

Immigrating from Russia as a teen, Nicole Shuparski offers a unique perspective on serving others including a humorous look into life on her church’s hospitality committee. From the cauldron-sized pot she uses for her beloved clam chowder to the oar she stirs it with, Nicole shares her must-have tools and reliable recipes, including trusted King Arthur Baking classics. She highlights the importanc...

Join Maggie Sears as she shares her love of hospitality and how she thinks outside the box as she and her husband work to facilitate fellowship. From a yearly fall party to snow-day fun to boat outings with friends, Maggie shares how she and her family build relationships and lasting memories. She offers practical tips on what to pare down, what to keep stocked for easy hosting, and how to make yo...

In this episode, we talk about what it's like to be on the receiving end of hospitality. Micaiah Shaw shares her family's journey through years of medical trials and the many ways her family and friends stepped in to help. We discuss practical forms of hospitality for those in a hard season. You'll hear ideas on ways to help, how to make planning a meal train menu simple, and encour...