Echos of Impact

In this honest and reflective episode of Echos of Impact, Cherise and Briana sit down for a behind-the-scenes conversation about something many Christians wrestle with—but don't always name: the difference between being busy for God and actually bearing fruit. We talk about how easy it is to slip into checklist Christianity—doing all the "right" things, staying involved, showing up faithfully—whil...

In today's episode of Echos of Impact, we sit down with Katharine Rose—writer, speaker, and host of the podcast Eternal Echoes—for a rich and deeply meaningful conversation about purpose, obedience, legacy, and listening closely to God's voice. Katharine shares her personal journey through striving, wilderness seasons, delayed obedience, and surrender. She opens up about learning the hard way that...

Trigger Warning: In this episode, Lisa shares honestly about her journey with addiction, including substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and the emotional impact on her children and family. We encourage you to listen at your own pace and take care of your heart as you do. In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Lisa Herrington, a wife of 41 years, mom of four, grandmother...

In this heart-to-heart episode of  Echos of Impact , Briana and Cherise sit down for one of their monthly conversations — the kind where we open our Bibles, open our real lives, and invite you into what God has been speaking in this season. This week's episode unfolds around two powerful images: ✨ a surprising word from God — "Get your house in order" — and ✨ a vivid picture of sitting at a tiny...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of medical trauma, cardiac arrest, and near-death experiences. Please listen with care. In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Cherise sits down with Kate, a Kansas City native, wife, mom of six in a blended family, nana of three, and women's Bible study leader. This conversation is tender, faith-filled, and full of the kind of perspective th...

In this heartfelt and restorative episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Emily Love—Kansas City native, event designer, and spiritual director in training—to talk about what it means to slow down and let God do the deeper work within us. Emily shares her powerful story of burnout, slowing down, and learning that rest can be the hardest work of all. Through seasons of exhaustion, recover...

In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Cherise flips the script and sits down with her co-host, Briana Gray , to hear her God story. Instead of interviewing another guest, we get to lean in and listen as Briana shares how God has held her "on a short leash" through small-town beginnings, overseas mission trips, miracles on the other side of the world, and the quiet, ordinary moments of mothe...

In this heartfelt episode of Echos of Impact, Briana Gray and Cherise Thompson sit down with Precious Warren—a writer and homeschool mom passionate about helping families rediscover wonder. Living in Kansas City with her husband and two children, Precious shares how play and prayer often intertwine in her home, and how God literally renamed her Precious, transforming how she sees herself and her p...

Tina Smith on trading performance for God's peace ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of abuse and childhood cancer, which may be sensitive for some listeners. In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Tina Smith—a licensed therapist, author, and coach for women in leadership and entrepreneurship. Tina's story is one of deep faith, perseverance,...

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of child loss. In this tender, faith-filled episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Nikki Moore—wife, mom, and entrepreneur—to share her powerful story of loss, faith, and the beauty of community. Nikki grew up in Northern California but has called Kansas City home for the past 25 years. She's been married to her husband, Brent, for 22...

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes brief discussion of abuse and excommunication within a religious setting. Listener discretion advised. In this deeply insightful episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Lisa Gray — a licensed marriage and family therapist and author whose story moves from legalism to grace and from conflict avoidance to healthy connection. Lisa special...

In this special episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down—just the two of us—for a conversation that's close to our hearts: how do we hear God's voice? We don't come to this as experts, but as women who have spent a lifetime praying, listening, wrestling, and sometimes wondering if we heard Him right. Together, we share our own stories of hearing God through scripture, prayer, fastin...

Trigger Warning: This episode includes themes of loss and grief. Please use discretion when listening. In this heartfelt episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Lauren Sterling Garcia—a remarried widow, mom of eight, real estate agent, "pretend farmer," and host of the Ordinary Grit podcast. Introduced by a mutual friend (and later realizing they'd just attended the same family camp!), B...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of infidelity, substance abuse, and marital conflict. Please listen with discretion. In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Erika Taphorn, a photographer, wife, and mom of five from central Illinois, to share her raw and redemptive story of marriage restoration. Erika opens up about her journey—from becoming...

In this heartfelt conversation, Cherise and Briana sit down with Michelle McMahon—follower of Jesus, wife, girl mom, former pastor, and trauma-trained therapist—to unpack how curiosity (not control) opens the door to connection, clarity, and healing. Michelle shares how God restored what was lost in her childhood story and how that redemption now shapes her calling as a counselor for couples and i...

 In this season-opening conversation of Echos of Impact, Cherise and Briana invite you behind the curtain—what God's been teaching us lately, how testimony shapes us, and why "slow is fast" can change the way we show up at home. We talk about setting the "temperature" of our homes with peace and intention, letting the Holy Spirit lead our pace, and why learning through people's stories is often a...

In this inspiring episode of Echos of Impact , Briana and Cherise sit down with Andrea Hill —a wife, mom of four, nurse, entrepreneur, and founder of Mission 212 Foundation—to hear her powerful story of finding God's peace in the midst of unimaginable trials. Andrea and her husband, Austin, walked through years of uncertainty after he was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. What began as a terr...

In this heartfelt episode of  Echos of Impact , Briana and Cherise sit down for another real and raw conversation about friendship—the beauty, the wounds, and the longing we all carry for meaningful connection. After hearing powerful feedback from listeners on their last friendship episode, Briana and Cherise return to unpack what friendship really looks like through a Christian lens. Together, th...

In this wisdom-packed episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Leigh-Ann Campbell — wife, mom of five, women's ministry leader, and truth-teller with a heart for building strong families and authentic communities. Raised in New England and planted in the Midwest for the past 26 years, Leigh-Ann married her husband Troy in 1999 and has worn nearly every kind of "mama" title — fo...

  In this inspiring episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Cassie Ferren, co-lead pastor of Midtown Church in Kansas City, foster mom, mentor, and advocate for women in ministry. Cassie's story is a powerful testimony of surrender, obedience, and what it looks like to follow God when the path ahead is anything but clear. Cassie shares how growing up in a family that planted c...

In this deeply moving episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Rebekah Albaugh, an internationally published wedding photographer, co-founder of The Reset Conference, and host of the Honest to Goodness Podcast. Rebekah shares her powerful testimony of walking through profound grief—losing her father, her mother, three miscarriages, and most recently, her two-month-old granddaughter—while...

In this honest and heartfelt episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down to talk about something we all wrestle with at some point—friendship. From seasons of loneliness to shifting relationships, adult friendship can feel tender, confusing, and even painful. Briana and Cherise share vulnerably about what they've learned (and are still learning) when it comes to letting go, going deepe...

In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Cherise sits down with Rebekah Hoover—midwife, mama of six, and one of Cherise's dearest friends—to talk about purpose, surrender, and trusting God through the unexpected. Rebekah was Cherise's doula when she gave birth to her daughter Ellie, and her steady presence during that faith-stretching moment left a lasting mark. Since then, Rebekah has walked...

Ep. 31: "When God Asks for Everything: The Power of Obedient Faith" with Staci Wallace In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Staci Wallace, CEO and co-founder of Fueled by Fire, a global business consulting firm, to talk about surrender, purpose, and what it really means to reflect God in every area of life. Staci's story is one of radical obedience—from sin...

In this heartfelt solo episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down for a powerful and practical conversation on something they hear again and again: "How do I share my story?" Testimony is a core part of the Christian life—but it can feel intimidating. What do you include? What do you leave out? How do you share your story without dishonoring someone else or exposing unhealed pain? And...