Beauty in the Brokenness- Christian Women (Bible Study, Faith, Sexuality, Freedom from Shame)

What if the path to healing isn’t either the Bible or therapy—but both together? In this episode, Teresa sits down with Kristin Smith of Pure Desire to talk about how faith and mental health can work hand in hand to heal trauma while staying rooted in Scripture. Kristin shares three lifelines that helped her move from merely surviving after divorce to living the abundant life. Her story is a beaut...

Today we sit down with Gretchen Huijskens, founder of Trades of Hope, to trace her journey from orphan care in Haiti to fair trade job creation that keeps families together. Stories from Haiti, India, and Uganda show how dignified work restores voice and lifts women from crisis to choice. Click here for show notes and to connect with Gretchen Huijskens. Watch this Episode on YouTube Thanks for lis...

Leah’s story is one of heartbreak, hope, and redemption. Overlooked and unloved, she longed to be chosen—but God saw her, heard her cries, and wove her into His redemptive plan. If you’ve ever felt forgotten or rejected, this episode will remind you that you are seen, chosen, and deeply loved by God, who invites you to praise Him even in your pain. Click here for show notes Watch this Episode on Y...

What if the most life-changing truth isn’t simply that God loves people, but that God knows and loves you ? He knows every thought, every word, every action—and still pursues you with steadfast love. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with author and Bible teacher Glenna Marshall as we open Psalm 139 and let it reshape how we see God—and how we see ourselves. Click here for show notes and to...

Tired of waiting for God to answer your prayers? Pastor Dustin Crowe and Teresa Whiting explore how hardships can lead to spiritual growth, deeper faith, and a clearer understanding of God’s purpose.  Whether you’re walking through a difficult season, seeking hope in suffering, or wondering how God might be at work in your life, listen in for encouragement, biblical insight, and practical guidance...

On today’s episode, Whitney Akin shares her beautiful heart for serving women and her lifelong struggle with living seen. Through the story of Hagar and other biblical characters, Whitney has discovered the relentless heart of God in pursuit of His daughters. She is a kindred spirit whose life work includes sharing this good news with women through her writing, speaking, and podcast. For those fee...

Have you ever felt discarded, rejected, or utterly forgotten? The story of Hagar speaks directly to that experience with a message of hope.  Hagar's journey from rejected slave to personally encountered by God reveals a powerful truth: when the world walks away, God comes looking. He sees your tears, hears your prayers, and knows your name. Her story reminds us that often our deepest encounte...

What if your story doesn't begin with brokenness, but with beauty?  Curt Thompson, MD returns to challenge our fundamental understanding of the gospel narrative, reminding us that Genesis 1 - not Genesis 3 - is where our story truly begins. This profound conversation reveals how recognizing our original design as beings created for beauty and relationship can transform our approach to healing...

The human heart carries a longing to be truly seen and known. In this conversation with psychiatrist Curt Thompson, MD, we explore this universal yearning not as a weakness or flaw, but as the very cornerstone of our humanity.  Whether you've felt invisible, misunderstood, or afraid to reveal your true self, this conversation offers hope and practical wisdom. Join us as we explore how embraci...

Do you ever feel invisible or overlooked? In this episode, we explore biblical stories of women who felt unseen and discover how God actively pursues those society forgets. Teresa introduces her Seen series and unpacks how you can connect with both God and others in a digital, distracted world. Click here for show notes and resources. Watch this Episode on YouTube Thanks for listening! If you like...

Teresa Whiting unveils the podcast's new name, Beauty in the Brokenness, reflecting her 11-year passion for finding God's beauty in the midst of pain. She shares her journey of letting fear hold her back from embracing this message and how she's finally stepping into the vision God placed on her heart years ago. We discuss:  • The difference between beauty after brokenness vs findin...

⭐️ Want to be an insider? 🎙 Click here for show notes 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube Thanks for listening! If you like the podcast, you will love Teresa's weekly podcast update .  Sign up here. Order Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken Book Teresa to speak at an upcoming event! Music: Home (Inspirational And Uplifting Acoustic Guitar) by Daniel Carrizalez Any Amazon links on th...

An honest convo about what's on Teresa's heart these days: • Finding our identity • Lament (yet again) • The significance of our small lives • The power (and pain) of pruning • Why I'm taking a “summer sabbath” • Bonus journaling hack Sign up here to join Teresa's prayer team or be a beta reader for her next Bible Study!  Thanks for listening! If you like the podcast, you will...

Get the PDF of Amy Young's The Wide Spectrum of Mothering How do you feel about Mother's Day? I have always been part of churches that sought to celebrate mothers. Honoring the women in our midst for the brave and difficult work of mothering is right and beautiful!  But it’s not that simple.  Mother’s Day has been a complicated holiday for many women. So much so, that they stay home from...

Pornography has invaded countless marriages, shattering trust and distorting God's beautiful design for sexuality. When 64% of Christian men struggle with porn, the ripple effects touch nearly every family and church community—yet we're keeping silent. In Part 2 of our conversation, Jody Allen continues to share her journey after discovering her husband's pornography addiction.  She...

I know Jody Allen’s story will speak deeply to many of you. Despite years of counseling and intensive treatment, her husband ultimately chose pornography over his marriage, his children, and his family. After a long and painful struggle, Jody’s marriage ended in divorce.  Without minimizing the deep pain of her journey, Jody shares the countless ways God has shown Himself faithful. In part one of...

This week we continue our transformative conversation about sexual wholeness from a Christian perspective with Dr. Carol Tanksley.  If you haven't heard Part 1 yet, listen here . Whether you're single, struggling with shame about your sexual past, or simply trying to understand how sexuality fits within your faith journey, this episode offers wisdom and practical guidance.  Sexual wholen...

Sexual brokenness often begins with wounds we don't want to face. Dr. Carol Tanksley, OBGYN physician turned ordained minister, draws from 30 years of medical practice and her own journey to explore how our personal stories shape our sexual decisions.  Dr. Carol directs our attention to what Jesus emphasized most - the condition of the heart. While behaviors certainly have consequences, lasti...

Breaking free from pornography addiction is not an overnight process but a journey—one that requires understanding, support, and a deep commitment to healing. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Juli Slattery (if you haven't heard Part 1, you can find it here ).  Today we explore the complex nature of sexual brokenness and the path toward wholeness that's available to everyone, re...

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Juli Slattery about the growing issue of pornography addiction among women. We discuss how the porn industry has intentionally targeted women, the shame that keeps many trapped in silence, and the neurological and emotional factors that make it difficult to break free. Dr. Slattery shares insights from her book Her Freedom Journey , co-authored with Dr. Joy Skarka...

We all experience seasons of grief, disappointment, and loss. While we long for peace and joy, the reality is that we live in a broken world where suffering is inevitable. But God has given us a way to process our pain with Him. In today's episode, we explore the biblical language of lament, using  Psalm 13 as our guide. If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how to approach God in y...

In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend Brenda Stewart, a therapist and recovery and resilience coach. Brenda specializes in grief coaching, compassion fatigue, and burnout, helping women navigate life’s challenges, including trauma and eating disorders. Together, we explore the realities of grief, the biblical practice of lament, and how we can process our pain while deepening our trust in...

In this episode, I sit down with Nichole Suvar, a speaker, writer, and leader passionate about helping women overcome anxiety and live with intention. Nichole shares her personal journey with anxiety, how she silently struggled for decades, and what finally led her to seek help. She breaks down common misconceptions about anxiety, including the idea that worry is a sin, and explains the difference...

I say I trust God. I want to trust God. But when it comes down to it, I often grasp for control. Especially when things feel so utterly out of control. Does that sound familiar to you? Today, I continue my conversation with Lori Ann Wood. Her words bring comfort, grace, and healing to anyone who is walking a path they wish they weren't. (Which happens to all of us at one point or another.)  L...

Have you ever found yourself saying, “This is NOT how I thought my life would turn out"?  If so, you're not alone! Lori Ann Wood, author of Divine Detour knows what it's like to live a life she never saw coming and wouldn't have planned! Today's conversation will shed light on the questions we ask when our lives take an unexpected turn. Lori Ann's story will inspire h...