Anchored by the Sword

This interview with LaTan Murphy is so encouraging! We had been friends online for quite awhile, but when we met in Nashville this year, she became someone who I needed to have in my real life too.  As a writer, event speaker, and vocalist, LaTan finds encouraging others her passion and purpose. She speaks with candid humility and raw honesty, drawing from her own real-life mistakes and failures,...

So this week, I decided to drop a 2nd episode! Today's discussion is with George A. Wood. He is the co-author of "The Uncovery," which comes on July 26th. This discussion was amazing from beginning to end! He was so open and willing to share every part of his story so that other people will know they are not alone in their own trauma. George understands the broken, the addicted, and the "lost" bec...

I cannot even begin to describe this episode to you! My guest, Brit Eaton, has such a powerful anointing that it overwhelmed me in the best way possible. Her testimony shows what happens when you have an authentic encounter with the Living God. We have been friends online for a long time, but when she put a post on her social media pages on June 3rd of this year, I knew she needed to be on this po...

I loved the discussion with today's guest!  Amanda Held Opelt is an author, speaker, and songwriter. She discusses her experiences after going through the death of her grandmother, 3 miscarriages and the death of her sister, Rachel Held Evans. I truly believe this discussion will help you in working through your own grief and mourning process and how you approach death. After you listen, head to h...

Today, July 1st, makes my 43rd birthday!  I wanted to take a few moments to discuss how God has moved in all areas of my life during year 42 and what is coming in year 43!  I am so grateful to be on this adventure with Him and that you all have come alongside of me!  While everyday is not perfect, God is made perfect in our weakness!  I hope you enjoy this episode and that it e...

I loved this interview with Andrea Polnaszek!!  We met and chatted at the NRB conference in Nashville in March, and I couldn't wait to continue it on the podcast.  Her story is unique because of where she started and where she has ended up.  Andrea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has spent her clinical career helping children and their families communicate their feelings. She earned her B...

Today's conversation with Alexandra Boylan was so much fun to record!  She is full of joy and encouragement and I know that you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did!  The joy she has about where God has brought her is so evident, even as she talks about the difficult road she traveled to get there. Alexandra is an award winning filmmaker, who was born and raised in Georgetown, Massachuset...

On this week's podcast, I am excited to introduce you to Benny DiChiara.  I met him at the NRB Convention in March and we hit it off right away!  His story and his love for God is contagious, as is his passion to share about how God completely transformed his life and how He can do it for you! When a traumatic brain injury nearly took singer/songwriter Benny DiChiara's life and his capacity to cre...

Welcome to season 6!  This week's guest is Brooke Robertson. I met her at the Spark Conference in March of this year and I knew she needed to come on and share her story with all of you!  It also happens to be the week of her 28th birthday, so when you thank her for coming on, also wish her a happy birthday! Brooke Robertson has redemption stories to tell, and with her Burtonwood Records debut alb...

Today is the last episode in the series on Mental Health for Mental Awareness Month. My guest is Pastor Brad Hoefs and this conversation is filled with ways that we, as Christians, can help those with mental illness. Get your pen and paper ready because if this is where your heart is, there are so many ways to help. Brad has been a pastor since 1985. He is an international speaker and a mental hea...

Kristie Williams lives in Canton, Ohio with her wonderful, Godly husband, Derrick. She is a one year certificate holder from Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She leads a connect group through Faith Family Church and is in process of writing a book. She has a desire to share about what God has done for her through any opportunity He puts in front of her.  There are so many gr...

I met Jodi Howe in Nashville this past March and I absolutely adore her!  We have so much in common and have a similar passion to help people not feel alone! You will definitely love this conversation and please share it with friends, family, complete strangers and FB peeps so they can feel not so alone!  Jodi has a heart for Jesus! Although she studied & performed music & acting (onscreen & off),...

This conversation I had with Caris Snider is one that will be helpful for any age group!  A lot of people are battling anxiety and/or depression in some way, shape or form.  We talked about how fast anxiety can come upon someone and how it can affect anyone.  We talk about different ways to combat it and how to use the resources God has provided for us.  We talk about what it means to be a safe pl...

Welcome Scott Box to the podcast this week!  When I was contacted about interviewing him and reading his book, I knew he would be the perfect guest to kick off this special series of the podcast dedicated to bringing awareness to mental health in the church.  I pray that hearing Scott's story will encourage you to seek help if you are struggling in any area of your life. Scott Box is the founder o...

This conversation with Nicole Smithee really encouraged my heart and life!  I know it will do the same for you!  We covered so many different topics including: ministry life, infertility, miscarriage, bullying and so much more with the intention of reminding you that God is still good even in the trials of life, He is still there for you and loves you.  I felt this episode would be a great episode...

This episode was 100% a God appointment!  I received an email the night after the first day of the NRB Convention from Cameron Arnett's company asking if I would like to interview him.  I had one of two times available on the last day of the Convention and obviously it worked out!  He is such an amazing man of God and I am so excited for you to hear his heart behind the work he does, and also abou...

Welcome to the second podcast for this week!  I wanted to introduce you to my new friend, Lauren Greci!  We were on the same launch team a year ago and then she asked me to be a part of her launch team for her first book, Mercy in the Mess.  This episode is full of some great nuggets, and even some resources that have helped her in homeschooling her boys. Lauren Greci, author of Mercy in the Mess,...

Welcome to the first episode to come out this week of the Anchored by the Sword podcast!  I met Lisa Appelo online in 2018 and in real life in 2019.  She is such an amazing woman and has a story we all need to hear.  We discuss how to walk through a major loss, grief and fear of the unknown.  Her new book, Life Can Be Good Again, comes out on April 19th.  Head over to https://lisaappelo.com/lifeca...

Julie Holmquist and I have been online friends for years, so it was so great to sit down via zoom and have this conversation! We did not plan for it to go in the direction that it did, but I am so glad it did!    Julie is a speaker, podcast host to “Kairos Moments,” author, and Bible teacher. God has given her deep insight into His Word with real-life, practical application. Julie loves to empower...

I met Rachel Bruno at the NRB Convention at the beginning of March.  I heard her story and had all of the feelings!  I knew she needed to come on the podcast to tell her story.  This is a longer episode, but it is such an important story for everyone to hear.  There was another very similar case that happened in the last few weeks and I didn't realize how big of a problem this is. Rachel is a wife...

Welcome Scarlet Hiltibidal to the podcast today!  I was so excited to meet her and to discuss her freedom story.  She is the author of Afraid of All the Things, You’re the Worst Person in the World, the Anxious Bible study, and other books. She writes regularly for ParentLife Magazine, HomeLife Magazine, and She Reads Truth. Scarlet enjoys speaking to women around the country about the freedom and...

I have been friends in the online circle with Jennifer Watson for around 3-4 years!  I was even blessed to be on the launch team for her first book!  She is such a beautiful person both inside and out; which you will hear during this conversation.  It took a turn we were not expecting, but we know how important the topic of mental health is during this time.  I pray that as you listen to this epis...

Welcome to Season 5 of this podcast!!  Today's conversation with Kat Armstrong is so good! I love this conversation and I know you will too.  You will learn about how we have became friends through social media, how she realized who her Bible study teacher was, and develop a new appreciation for Psalm 23. After you listen to this conversation, go follow her and show her some love! She was born in...

This week’s episode is the end of season 4 and also celebrating the 1 year Anniversary of this podcast on March 3!! Thank you so much for all of your support and love during this first year! I am so grateful for what has already happened and excited for what is next! Next week, I will be at the Spark/NRB Conferences, so during that time, get caught up on the rest of the episodes and leave a rating...

On this week's podcast, I want to introduce Lonette Baity!  She is an amazing woman, whom I had the opportunity to meet two times for what feels like the first time!  That may sound really confusing, but tune in and you will find out why I say that! Lonette earned a degree in Communication Studies from Malone University in 2004. For more than 15 years, God has used her passion for drama and storyt...