Just Talking with Friends Podcast

When we share our stories with each other, we build community. Kim shares her story about her mom's illness and then eventual passing. She shares her struggles and her triumphs. Losing someone you love isn't easy. Maybe you or someone you know can relate to her story. 

What happens when we say Yes to God? You never know what is just around the corner. Janet and Don said yes and Land of Hope Africa started. Listen to this amazing story of how God reaches down into our story and redeems it for his glory.

What do we do with the emotions that we are feeling? Do we deny them? Do we embrace them? Are they telling us something? Teri Meers helps us understand our emotions and then gives us some helpful tips to help manage them. God gave us emotions, let's try to understand them.

For most of us, grief hits us like a brick. It overwhelms us with sadness and hurt. Not for Joseph and Nicodemus. Two men who were crippled with fear of what others thought of them when Jesus was alive, are suddenly moved to great courage. What changes them? Join and in this study and find out what moved them from fear to courage and changed their lives forever. 

What should we do with Jesus? Everyone has to answer this question in their hearts at some point in their lives. In this third part on the Easter Series, Preparing Our Hearts to Receive God's Amazing Love, this study reflects on the six trials that Jesus goes through before he heads to the cross. Talk about the scandel! You'll be amazed all the backdoor strings that were pulled to convict the Savi...

Adam and Eve lost the battle in the garden so many years ago. Is it any wonder that Jesus, prior to his death on the cross, wages the battle in the Garden again?  The Battle of 2 Gardens explores this idea as the One and only Messiah fights to redeem us starting in the Garden. The second episode in our Easter series, take time to prepare your heart to receive God's message of his amazing love to y...

This episode takes a pause in our normal interviews and it explores this idea of preparing our hearts to receive God's message of amazing love at Easter. This is the first of 4 episodes that is more of a Bible study with Deb teaching. Join with her now and prepare your heart for what God might have for you.

Managing our emotions and our relationships can be quite challenging. Teri Meers takes us through some helpful tips from the Bible to help us in those day to day needs. This is the first part of a two part series.

When God speaks to your heart, do you listen? Meet Barb. She and her husband felt God speaking to them to provide for children in Haiti. Hear how they answered that call, and how Love Takes Root. It's inspiring.

Does how we think impact our performance? Licensed clinical psychologist and sports psychologist Marty Martinez takes us through the 7 C's of Confidence. If you know an athlete, share this episode with them. This episode is for everyone who realizes what we think really does impact who we are. Blending in Christian principles, Marty does an excellent job in helping us understand the power of think...

Put a twist in your prayer life; start prayer journaling with a purpose. Different from the traditional "prayer lists", this is getting deep with God and working through all that is going on in your heart and mind. Licensed, Christian counselor Heidi Vermeer-Quist takes us through the steps to prayer journaling with a purpose. The third episode in our Spiritual Disciplines series of 2022, have the...

What happens when we pray? We draw closer to God. We deepen our relationship with Him. We start to desire what He desires. We start to become more like Him. The second episode in our Spiritual Disciplines series for 2022, author Leanne Rozell encourages how we can deepen our prayer life and our relationship with Christ.

How can we prepare our hearts for the new year to receive God's message for us? Being close to God doesn't just happen. It takes work just like any relationship. Replaying a previous episode, Pastor Jeff Kodis talks with us about pursuing God through spiritual disciplines.

Ending Season 2, Pastors Rechab Gray and Ike Todd reflect on the Protestant Church: what has it done well during the pandemic and what it still needs to work on. What do we, as the Church, the Body of Christ, need to do to move forward in being the Hands and Feet of Christ. This episode is not only a reflection, but a call forward. 

Who needs healing? What kind of healing? Is it just physical? Does it include emotional and spiritual? How does praying for healing intersect with science? What does Jesus say about that? For those who need healing, do we see them? Do we want to see them? A great discussion with Pastor Eli Saddarth on this topic that will certainly challenge you.

Pastors Rechab Gray and Ike Todd discuss in depth what Biblical Christian Friendship should look like. These two pastors draw out principles few have heard and compel us to love each other in a deep and meaningful way. This episode will bless your socks off!

Join the final part of this two part episode on Catholicism vs. Protestantism. Pastors Randy Jaspers and Keith Nestor share what they feel are commonalities and differences between the two. There's a lot we can learn from these two servants of the Lord as their passion to love the Lord and share the Gospel with others comes out loud and clear in this discussion.

Have you ever wondered what the similarities and differences are between Catholicism vs. Protestantism? This is a two part series that explores some of those ideas. Can we agree on anything? How can we encourage each other? Hear the hearts of two pastors that seek to answer some of these questions.

Marriage is a blessing but it is not easy. How do we make it a lasting relationship that will honor God and each other? Emily and Jim tell their story how they received the "rain" of marriage as a blessing and tackled the challenges of storms to grow with each other instead of apart. They will make you laugh and give practical tips that have worked for them to make their marriage work.

Can a blended family work? Joy Fopma shares the joys and challenges she and her husband faced as they sought to blend their families together. Hear how Christ shows up and continues to work in their lives to make all things new.

Pornography is prevalent in our culture today. Christian marriages are not immune from the damage and hurt it can cause. Marriage and family therapist Stephanie Porter takes us through her story and journey of how God brought healing an restoration in her marriage. 

How should we pray for our future mate? This interview with author Leanne Rozell of the book, "Praying for that Man", takes you through Leanne's journey of praying and waiting for her future mate. The book takes you on a roller coaster you will want to read.

Cohabitation. Is this what God values? How do we seek what God values in our lives? Does it matter? Listen with an open heart as Dr. David Kaptain, a marriage and family therapist, guides us to pursuing the blessing God has for each of us. 

Meet Sam Reed. A man who is seeking vision and pursuing better. A man who is trying to create space in his life for God to speak. Sam will take you down his journey and encourage you to find the path God is calling you to. This episode will challenge you to do some soul searching.

Am I making a difference when I clean up sticky messes and play with my children? Yes! Join me and Olivia Baker, former Miss Iowa, as she discusses finding purpose in the mundane things like cleaning up messes and kissing sticky faces. Motherhood is important and we have the awesome gift to shape little hearts for the Kingdom of God.