Coffee and Bible Time Podcast

Jesus meets us in our loneliness, shame, and longing for validation.  Ellen and Taylor dive into the powerful story of the woman at the well. Together, they explore why the need to belong is so deeply human, how rejection truly hurts, and how Christ offers living water that fully satisfies. If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, feeling unseen, or wondering if your past disqualifies you fr...

After the tragic death of her 3-year-old son River in 2019, Amber Smith began a journey through "the valley of the shadow of death" that led her to experience the darkness of grief—and the light that Jesus brings, even in our greatest pain. This conversation explores grief, faith, and what it looks like to keep seeking God even in the valley.  Read Amber's memoir, The Girl on the Ba...

Have you ever started reading the Bible with good intentions of consistency, only to fall behind, feel discouraged, and give up? You’re not alone. Today Ellen and Taylor are sharing the tips that helped them start reading the Bible—and actually keep going.  Check out our new book, The Gospel of John: The EASY Bible Study Method , releasing on January 6, 2026! 💌 Don't miss an episode! Subscri...

God is with you—even in life’s hardest moments. Retired Air Force chaplain Bob Page shares powerful stories of hope, presence, and transformation, reminding listeners that God is with you in heartbreak, detours, and healing. Check out Bob's new book,  God Is Still For You: Ten Reasons You Can Be Sure Even When Life Is Hard Download a free sample and study guide here !  💌 Don't miss an e...

When you’re exhausted, hurting, and still trying to hold everything together… where does Jesus meet you?  Today, Ellen is joined by Sherri Hughes-Gragg to talk about what it looks like to come to Jesus when you’re tired of being strong—when your faith feels worn down, your strength is gone, and you don’t have anything left to prove.  Check out Sherri's new devotional,  The Compassionate Chris...

What if Jesus isn't found in big, dramatic moments—but in the quiet, ordinary places you tend to overlook?  In this episode, botanical artist and author Sylvie Vanhoozer shares how Advent time can reshape the way we see God in our everyday lives. Through simple practices of paying attention, noticing beauty, and welcoming Christ right where we are, Sylvie invites us into a slower, more intent...

How can you find healing from a broken relationship? In this episode, Christina Daniels joins us to explore how to recognize unhealthy patterns, set God-honoring boundaries, and walk through the hard but freeing process of forgiveness.  Discover how to let God transform your heart, guide your steps, and bring His healing into the places that feel most broken.  Looking for more? Check out Christina...

When the seasons of life leave you weary, the story of Ruth invites you to the table. We're exploring one of Scripture's most moving narratives, guided by author and Bible teacher Laura Piraino. Through Ruth's journey from famine to fulfillment, Ellen and Laura unpack the spiritual seasons we all encounter, and the hope we find in our Redeemer working quietly through it all.  Get yo...

Understanding Scripture doesn’t have to feel confusing, dull, or out of reach. In this episode, Faith Womack invites us to rethink how we read the Bible—not as a book about us, but as God’s story of redemption and revelation. Because when we stop hunting for quick personal answers and start looking for who God is, everything changes. Check out Faith's new book, No More Boring Bible Study , ou...

God's love welcomes you just as you are. In this episode, Ellen talks with Bible teacher Oghosa Iyamu about the impartiality of God’s love and how understanding it reshapes the way we see ourselves and love others.  Want to dive even deeper? Check out Oghosa's new study,  Forever Welcomed ! Scripture referenced: Isaiah 55:1 Isaiah 6 James 2 Deuteronomy 10:17 Acts 10:34 Psalm 136:1 Lament...

When life feels too broken to fix, God’s grace steps in to redeem what’s been lost. Dove-Award winner Nicole C. Mullen joins us to share how God turned her pain into purpose and her regrets into songs of redemption. From stories of biblical heroes to her own journey through hardship, Nicole reminds us that the same God who redeemed the past is still rewriting our stories today. Check out Nicole&ap...

Tara Beth never considered herself a morning person. But when a winter storm trapped her inside a dark cloud of grief and depression, God met her in the early morning hours—and taught her how to use them to break free.   Mentor Mama joins author and pastor Tara Beth Leach as she shares how mornings with God can bring peace, purpose, and renewal. Through her GREAT framework—gratitude, reflection, e...

The fruit of the Spirit can sound beautiful—but feel out of reach. Ava Pennington shares her journey through spiritual drought and anxiety to true fruitfulness—not through striving, but surrender to the Spirit. Join us to discover how you can flourish in Christ through the Holy Spirit's work—not by working harder, but by surrendering more fully to God's grace. Check out Ava's new bo...

Sometimes the only thing you can do during profound loss is hold on tight to God. Ellen sits down with Emily Jackson to hear about her ongoing journey through pregnancy loss and infertility, and learn how faith has helped her survive the grief. Check out Emily's devotional, The Weight of the World: A Devotional for Women in Times of Doubt, Hardship, & Loss in Your Journey to Conceive  Scr...

Waiting on God isn't wasted time. We sit down with Dove Award–nominated worship leader and new author Jaime Jamgochian to talk about what it truly means to wait on God when your circumstances aren’t changing. Learn more about Jaime Jamgochian here , and check out her new book, Sacred Surrender 💖 Scriptures referenced: 1 Corinthians 1:27 Isaiah 53:5 John 8:36 Luke 22:42 Galatians 2:20 1 Corin...

What if the key to a more peaceful family life isn’t doing more, but choosing less—and choosing it on purpose? Author and homeschool mom Jessica Smartt joins us to unpack how loving authority, slow tech, and small daily rituals can transform your home from frantic to grounded.  Looking for more practical ideas and grace-filled guidance? Grab Jessica’s new book, Come On Home , today!  Scripture ref...

What does it mean to live truthfully with complex emotions?  Author Jillian Benfield joins us to share how parenting two medically complex children led her to deeper honesty with God—and freedom in holding both pain and praise. This conversation challenges toxic positivity, explores biblical lament, and offers a powerful framework for living fully human through life’s hardest seasons. Overwhelmed...

What happens when you take the little you have and place it in the hands of Jesus? The impossible becomes possible. Ellen and Taylor unpack the miracle of feeding the 5,000 as told in the Gospel of John, a story so significant it appears in all four Gospels.  Scriptures referenced: John 6:1-15 Matthew 14:21 Colossians 1:16 Mark 6:34-36 Resources mentioned: NIV Journal the Word Bible | The EASY Bib...

What happens when the love and emotional safety we needed as children wasn’t there? Ellen is joined by Dr. John Trent and Kari Trent Stageberg to talk about a biblical framework that can lead to emotional and spiritual healing. They unpack the five key elements of the Blessing, share stories of redemption from their own journeys, and offer practical steps for walking forward in faith. Whether you&...

Dr. Juli Slattery joins Ellen to discuss how Christians can find healing when struggling with sexual sin. From identity traps to rethinking sex as covenant, this powerful conversation offers practical steps and gospel-centered hope for anyone battling shame, addiction, or confusion around sexuality.  Scriptures referenced: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 2:20 Luke 15:11-32 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Matthe...

Struggling to hear God’s voice in everyday life? In this inspiring episode, pastor and author Heather Sheldon Comber shares how divine encounters often show up in ordinary moments—from tangled Christmas lights to life-altering loss. Discover practical wisdom and honest stories that will help you recognize and respond to hearing God’s voice in your own journey. Scriptures referenced: Psalm 139 Luke...

Taylor returns for a conversation about the final step of the EASY Bible Study Method, Yearn For A Heart Change . She and Mentor Mama discuss how to bridge the gap between head and heart, what God has been showing them in their personal studies, and how to apply even difficult or unfamiliar passages of Scripture. Scriptures referenced: James 1:22 Proverbs 4:23 Jeremiah 29:11 Proverbs 3:5-6 James 1...

Ellen and Taylor dive into Step 3 of the Easy Bible Study Method: Seeking God and His Character. They discuss how to move beyond surface-level reading and intentionally discover who God is through Scripture—even when emotions feel flat or life gets overwhelming. You'll hear practical tips, personal stories, and powerful reminders of how meditating on the character of God transforms our faith...

Ever feel like you read your Bible...but don't really understand it? In this episode, we explore the second step of the EASY Bible Study Method: Assess the Main Idea . Whether you have just 10 minutes or a full hour for Bible study, you’ll learn a simple, flexible approach to understanding Scripture that meets you right where you are: and grows with you over time.  Got a thought? Got a questi...

Sometimes, the hardest part of studying the Bible is just getting started. In this episode, Ellen and Ashley discuss how they overcame being intimidated by Scripture to develop a regular (and realistic!) rhythm in God's Word.  Scriptures referenced: John 6:1-14 John 6:16-21 James 1:22-25 Resources: Pre-order our book: The EASY Bible Study Method: A Guide to Understanding, Applying, and Deligh...