Anchored by the Sword

I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Dr. Deanna Shrodes to the show today. Her brand-new book, Uncommon Answers: Partnering with the Holy Spirit to Receive Extraordinarily More , comes out Tuesday, April 8th , and trust me—this conversation is packed with Holy Spirit fire, healing, and hope. Deanna shares her story of being adopted into a Christian home, growing up with a grandmother who pointed...

Today’s episode is one that’s both weighty and freeing. We’re joined by Tabitha Westbrook, licensed therapist and author of  Body & Soul, Healed & Whole , which releases today! Tabitha specializes in working with survivors of complex trauma, domestic abuse, and spiritual control in the church—and she’s walked this road herself. In this conversation, we dive into: 💔 How the church can ofte...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Emily Berning , the President and Co-Founder of Let Them Live and the author of Let Them Live . Emily shares her incredible journey from recognizing the heartbreaking reality that financial hardship is one of the leading reasons women choose abortion to founding an organization that provides real, life-saving assistance. During our conversation, Emily ope...

In today's episode, I get to spend some time with my friend, Niki Hardy. We have been friends for quite some time, even doing an event together back in 2019! Niki's journey from England to the U.S. to plant a church has been filled with both challenges and profound insights. She opens up about her battle with cancer and how it reshaped her understanding of an abundant life—not as one free from pai...

Today’s episode is one that will stir your heart and challenge you to step into the fight for justice. I sit down with Britney Higgs, founder of Her Campaign, an organization dedicated to providing restoration and healing for survivors of human trafficking. Britney’s journey is nothing short of incredible. She shares how God took her from a place of personal trauma and brokenness to a calling she...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Brenda Yoder as she shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming food addiction, battling reactionary emotions, and learning to live authentically. Brenda opens up about her struggles with anorexia and bulimia, how she found healing through her faith, and the transformative moment when she realized she needed to break the cycle for her daughter’s sake....

Jill Eileen Smith has spent years bringing biblical women to life through her novels, and her latest book, Dawn of Grace , is no exception. But beyond her writing, Jill is a wife of 48 years, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a woman deeply rooted in prayer. Her passion for biblical storytelling comes from a desire to see the Bible come alive—to step into the shoes of those who lived it. In th...

Marriage isn’t always easy, but what if we could make it easier? In today’s episode, I sit down with Arlene Pellicane, author of Making Marriage Easier, to talk about the ups and downs of marriage, navigating grief and loss together, and how small intentional actions can reignite connection. Arlene shares her own love story—from longing for marriage as a young woman to waiting on God’s timing and...

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Assell, author of the newly released and soon to be released books, When It Hurts and Wherever You Are . Emily’s journey is one of faith, freedom, and the undeniable power of God’s Word in the middle of life’s hardest moments. Emily shares her story of overcoming financial struggles, battling anger, and discovering the transformational power of scripture. Fro...

What happens when the life you thought would bring you power and respect leads only to destruction? Robert Borelli knows that journey firsthand. Raised in Brooklyn, he was drawn into the Gambino crime family at a young age, searching for identity and security. What followed was a life of crime, addiction, and despair—until a prison cell became his place of surrender. In this episode, Robert shares...

Today, I get to chat with Dr. Derwin Gray, pastor of Transformation Church and former NFL player, to talk about his brand-new book, Lit Up With Love: Becoming Good-News People to a Gospel-Starved World. Dr. Gray’s story is powerful—going from a college football scholarship at BYU to an NFL career, then encountering the relentless love of Jesus through a teammate who shared the gospel with him for...

When the kids leave home, life shifts in big ways—so how do you navigate the empty nest season with joy instead of fear? In this episode, I sit down with Jill Savage, author of Empty Nest, Full Life , to talk about embracing this transition, strengthening your marriage, and letting go of control while still staying connected to your kids. Jill and her husband, Mark, have been married for 41 years...

Today is the release day for Befriending God by Tanya Godsey, and you don’t want to miss this powerful book! Tanya is a singer-songwriter, spiritual director, and founder of Redeeming the Story. She carries a deep passion for helping people encounter God—not just through doing things for Him but by being with Him. In this episode, Tanya shares about: ✨ Growing up in a Mexican mission and feeling...

In this episode, I sit down with Lynette Eason, bestselling author of the Lake City Heroes series and numerous other Christian suspense novels. With 20 years in the industry, Lynette has built a full-time career writing thrilling, faith-filled stories. Lynette shares her personal testimony of following God’s call from an early age, rededicating her life to Him in college, and trusting His plan for...

Grief is a journey that reshapes us, and no one understands that better than Erin Nelson, co-author of When Grief Comes Home , which releases today. In this first episode of season 16, Erin shares her powerful story of loss—from the devastating plane crash that took her first husband’s life to the later loss of her son, Carter. Through these tragedies, she discovered the deep need for grief suppor...

Today, I’m joined by Veronica Cornejo, author of Unshackled: A Teen Mom Finding Unstoppable Freedom . Veronica’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of God’s grace. From becoming a mother at 16 to stepping into full-time ministry, she shares how God took what was meant for harm and turned it into something beautiful. In this episode, we discuss: ✨ Veronica’s journ...

In this episode, I am joined by Melissa Dougherty, author of the upcoming book Happy Lies . Melissa shares her incredible testimony of how God rescued her from depression, spiritual deception, and counterfeit gospels. Growing up in a Presbyterian home, she encountered the Gospel at a party as a teenager, which completely transformed her life. However, her early faith journey was shaped by a legali...

In this episode, I chat with Tracey Gee, a coach, speaker, and now author, about her new book, The Magic of Knowing What You Want. Tracey’s journey of rediscovering herself and navigating the "desire fog" will resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever felt stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed by options. We dive into: How Tracey helps people uncover their strengths and use them effectively. Her...

In this episode, I sit down with Christine Trimpe, author of SugarFreed: Stop Losing the Weight Loss Battle, Start Gaining the Victory, to hear her powerful testimony of transformation—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Christine opens up about her years of struggling with yo-yo diets, emotional eating, and spiritual apathy. She shares how a moment of frustration on a mountain trail in Colo...

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. I think that this powerful episode will make you stop and really think about how this is a problem, not just in large cities, but also could be in your own backyard. Today, I sit down with Becky Murray, the founder of One By One and author of Embrace the Journey. Becky shares her incredible story of growing up in a Christian home, her journey...

In this episode, I sit down with Shauna Braun, the author of Dealing with the Difficult in a God-Honoring Way . Shauna’s story is one of resilience, faith, and learning to trust God in the midst of some of life’s most challenging circumstances. From living in the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian mountains, Shauna reflects on her journey through despair, addiction, and life-altering trials. She...

In this episode, I’m joined by Robin Gerblick, author of Giving Up Grace: A Spiritual Rebranding of the Soul . Robin shares her remarkable journey of finding freedom and forgiveness through Christ, after decades of searching for love and identity in all the wrong places. Robin opens up about her struggles with abortion, failed marriages, and a season of spiritual wandering before encountering the...

In this episode, I am joined by Chrystal Cuellar, a sober coach passionate about helping women embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle and step fully into their God-given purpose. Chrystal shares her powerful testimony of navigating a toxic relationship, struggles with alcohol, and finding freedom through her relationship with Christ. From being a gray-area drinker to a thriving sobriety coach, Chrystal...

In this powerful episode to start off 2025, I sit down with my friend, Anna LeBaron, author of The Polygamist’s Daughter , to hear her extraordinary story of escaping the grip of a violent, polygamous cult and finding healing through faith, courage, and community. Anna shares her personal journey of growing up in a household led by her father, Ervil LeBaron, a self-proclaimed prophet responsible f...

In this episode, we welcome Lee Ann Mancini, author of Raising Kids to Follow Christ , Bible professor, and advocate for equipping parents and ministry leaders to guide the next generation in building a strong foundation in faith. Lee Ann shares insights from her extensive research and personal experience as a mother of two adult children and discusses the pressing challenges families face today i...