The Bitter and The Sweet Podcast

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and that should mean more to us than just wearing lots of pink!   My friend Caitlan Reese Killian is the host of the Goodness & Grace podcast, faithful writer of the Goodness & Grace newsletter, and founder of Still Good Co. Caitlan is a metastatic breast cancer thriver and living miracle (truly!). I'm excited and grateful to have her on the show today to...

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, and I'm so grateful to get to introduce you to one of my friends who has infant loss as part of her story.  Hannah J. Clements is a licensed professional counselor, wife, and mom of four kids on Earth and one in Heaven. She is so dear to me, and I know that by the end of this episode, she will be so dear to you, too.  Join Hannah and I as we ta...

We tell the truth about grief, joy, and the grace that covers it all around here, and today, it's my turn! This is a very special solo episode- just you and me today- all about the family you hoped would be, when the picture you had in your head of what your family would look like does not match the story you're living.  We're talking about my experiences with infertility and loss, questions I've...

We've talked about many different kinds of family relationships on the show, and today I'm thrilled to talk about the family we choose- our friends! Our guest today, Sam Williams, is a public school teacher who does friendship better than just about anyone I know.  Sam and I co-lead Bible studies and small groups at our local church, and I can't wait for you to get to know her today!  Join Sam and...

When I wanted to talk about offering a sense of family to people who don't have that (for whatever reason they may not), I knew Lauren Alexander was our girl. Lauren is a speaker and Bible teacher, a pastor's wife, mom of four, and foster parent. She is a rockstar advocate for vulnerable women, children, and families, and an all around joy to be with. It is an honor and a joy to have her on the sh...

If you're looking for a conversation about church hurt that holds the tension of being both honest and honoring, you're in the right place!  When I wanted to talk about church hurt, I knew Sarah Wood is the friend we need for this conversation.  Sarah is a writer who has contributed to She Reads Truth , a Bible teacher and ministry leader, and Community Manager at  Lisa Whittle Ministries (where w...

No matter your marital status or parenting status, we all have a family of origin. Today on the show, we are going there!  I could think of nobody better to join me for this conversation than my friend Kristen Hallinan.  Kristen Hallinan is the host of the Up Until Now podcast and author of Legacy Changer: Heal the Hurt, Redeem Your Story, Create Hope for Your Family .   Join Kristen and I as we t...

One of my favorites and yours, Jennifer Bishop Smith, joins us this week for part 2 of our conversation on the family you're building! Part 1 was all about our marriages (go back and listen if you missed it!), and part 2 brings us to the kids we are raising. With four boys, ages 4-15, Jennifer is a wealth of wisdom, and she's here to share it with us today! Join Jenn and I as we talk about:  the m...

The family you're building starts with your marriage, and I can't wait to start here together with my dear friend, Jennifer Bishop Smith! Jennifer is the author of Oh For Grace: 52 Weeks to Trusting Him More, a Bible teacher, an educator, and a business owner. She is a pastor's wife and the mom of four sons.  Jennifer celebrated 20 years of marriage this summer with her husband, Dusty, and she's h...

Welcome to The Bitter & The Sweet podcast! I'm so excited and grateful to get to do this, and to get to do this with YOU! We kick things off with a little intro from me, what our first series together will look like, and what I found when I went looking for disappointment in the Bible.  Connect on Instagram: @kaylacookwrites Become an email friend here!  

Welcome to The Bitter & The Sweet Podcast, a show where we tell the truth about grief, joy, and the grace that covers it all.    Join host Kayla M. Cook every Tuesday for conversations about disappointment and dreams, grief and gratitude, the bitter and the sweet.