Confident Clergy Women

What happens when your life falls apart—and God uses the pieces to reshape your calling? In this episode, I sit down with Rev. Angie McCarty to talk about resilience, healing, and what it looks like to lead with authenticity after walking through life's hardest seasons. Angie shares her deeply personal story of navigating divorce, rediscovering her identity, and finding a renewed sense of call...

After some time away celebrating Easter, my daughter’s graduation, and a milestone birthday, I’m back with a personal update. In this episode, I share the story behind my new Still I Rise tattoo, reflections on turning 40, and what I’m learning about resilience, faith, and feeling deeply loved. Plus, I’m inviting women with stories of ministry, leadership, and perseverance to share their journeys...

What happens when clergywomen are given a space designed specifically for them? In this episode, I talk with Megan and Yvonne from United Methodist Church of the Resurrection about Lead(Her) —an event they helped create specifically for clergywomen who know that ministry can feel different when you are both a woman and a pastor. Megan and Yvonne share why they felt called to create Lead(Her) as a...

What does it look like to become a mother while serving in the pulpit — especially when no one has gone before you? In this episode, I sit down with Rev. Natalie, who has served local congregations for 17 years. As a young female pastor who became pregnant at 27, she stepped into territory her congregation — and even her supervisor — had never navigated before. With courage and clarity, she helped...

In this episode, I sit down with Rev. Debi, an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church, whose journey into ministry is anything but linear. From aquatics teacher to Christian educator to counselor—and now serving in a local congregation—Debi shares how God faithfully wove together every season of her story in ways she never could have predicted. We talk about what it’s like to find yourself...

In this episode of Confident Clergy Women , I’m joined by Rev. Ally, a Deacon at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, for a rich conversation about what it looks like to serve with authenticity and confidence in ministry. Ally reflects on the joy of no two days ever looking the same in ministry, and how embracing all of our passions allows us to serve more fully and faithfully as clerg...

In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Hiatt, MA, a therapist, coach, and strengths communicator, for a deeply honest conversation about emotionally healthy leadership, boundaries, and caring for ourselves and our families while living into our call. Together, we talk about why so many clergy women have been taught to override their own needs, how that eventually costs us and the people we love, a...

Merry Christmas my beloved clergy sisters! Here is a blessing as you wrap up your Christmas preparations. Remember you are loved and you are already enough! Blessed are you among women!

It’s Week Three of our Advent journey with Mary and Elizabeth, and today we’re exploring what their relationship teaches us about calling, courage, and community. These two women remind us that ministry was never meant to be done alone. Their story is a beautiful picture of what happens when women show up for one another—blessing instead of competing, celebrating instead of comparing, and standing...

In this Advent episode, we’re talking about the kind of holy friendship that holds us together — the kind that sees the call in us even when we’re still figuring it out. You know those women who can look at you, listen to the wild, God-sized things happening in your life, and say, “I believe you. I see this in you”? That’s the kind of companionship we’re leaning into today. As clergywomen, we need...

Before Jesus is even born, the Gospel story begins with two women standing in quiet courage. Elizabeth carries a hidden miracle; Mary carries an impossible calling. Their stories speak directly to clergywomen navigating doubt, exhaustion, unseen labor, and holy questions. Join me for a gentle conversation about divine timing, embodied faith, and the sisterhood that spans generations. You’ll receiv...

In this episode of Confident Clergy Women, I talk with Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig — a passionate pastor, leader, and advocate for women in ministry. Kelli serves as the Director of Leadership Development and Community Engagement for the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, but her heart for equipping and empowering others goes far beyond her title. She shares her own journey in minis...

Rev. Sara made history as the first female senior pastor of several large congregations — but her leadership style breaks the mold in the best way. With a calm, grounded presence, she shares what it means to stay true to the leader God created her to be, even when the world expects louder voices. In this episode, Rev. Sara reflects on the power of mentoring and being mentored, the importance of he...

What does it mean to live out the ministry of a Deacon in the UMC? Rev. April joins us to talk about serving with compassion, justice, and inclusion, while leading with and beyond the local church. She shares the joys of working at a UMC seminary, equipping future leaders, and celebrating the diversity of the diaconate. Rev. April also gets real about the challenges clergy face in navigating expec...

In this inspiring conversation, Bishop Lanette reflects on her journey of faith and leadership. She shares how lay leaders played a vital role in her call to ministry and why mentors are essential companions along the way. Bishop Lanette offers encouragement for female clergy who are blazing new trails, speaks to the importance of self-awareness in strong and faithful leadership, and reminds us th...

In this episode of Confident Clergy Women , I’m joined by Deacon Mara, who serves with the ELCA’s Church on the Street. Her ministry includes walking alongside the unhoused, those experiencing homelessness, and people living in poverty—and she reminds us how essential it is to treat every person with dignity in the midst of those struggles. She shares the deep joy she finds in serving others, alon...

In this episode of Confident Clergy Women , Rev. Allison shares the joy of serving a congregation eager to embrace change and revitalize its ministries. She offers wisdom on why ministry is a marathon, not a sprint—and how self-care and healthy boundaries are essential to sustaining the call for the long run. Together, we explore what it means to find worth beyond ministry roles, and how unexpecte...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Bethany Peake, DMin, NCC—a gifted counselor and spiritual companion whose work centers on helping women reclaim their stories, unravel shame, and live with a deeply embodied sense of self. Together, we explore the unique gifts that clergy women bring to ministry, offering a fuller expression of the image of God. Bethany shares deep wisdom on how women...

From pastor’s kid to full-time pastor, Rev. Lorah knows firsthand the power of seeing women lead in ministry. In this episode of Confident Clergy Women, we talk about why it matters for girls to see women in the pulpit and how surrounding yourself with strong women can sustain you in ministry. Rev. Lorah shares why she believes “The children and the youth are the Church — capital C — right now. It...

This week on Confident Clergy Women , I’m getting real about something I’m still learning: how to rest when life feels heavy. As we continue our Rhythms of Rest series, I’m sharing what God’s been stirring in me — not just about the importance of rest, but how we actually find it when our to-do lists are long and the world feels overwhelming. This episode is a reminder that we don’t rest because e...

Hey friends—welcome back to Confident Clergy Women ! In this episode, we’re continuing our Embracing Rest series by diving into one of the most sacred (and let’s be real—challenging) spiritual practices: Sabbath . I’m sharing what I’ve learned—and what I’m still learning—about Sabbath rest. Not the rigid, rule-based version some of us grew up with, but the beautiful, life-giving pause God invites...

Hey friends—this week on Confident Clergy Women , I’m reflecting on one of my favorite invitations from Jesus: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). We’re continuing our series on rest, and today I’m sharing how Jesus modeled rest—not as a reward after hard work, but as a regular rhythm of ministry. I’ll walk you through Scripture, real-life moments, and a fe...

Let’s be real — when’s the last time you actually rested? And no, zoning out on your phone or grabbing that third cup of coffee doesn’t count (trust me, I’ve tried). If your energy’s running on fumes and your soul feels fried, this episode is for you. We’re kicking off a brand new series all about rest — not the lazy, do-nothing kind, but the life-giving, soul-refreshing, Jesus-invited kind. Spoil...

In this episode, I’m joined by Amber Wichmann —a seminary student and rural church pastor—who shares what it’s like to say a wholehearted yes to God’s call. We talk about the joy and reverence of serving communion to people you know and love, the gift of having a wise and supportive supervisor, and the sacred moments she experiences as a hospital chaplain. Amber and I also share about the biblical...

In this episode, I’m joined by the wise and wonderful Karen Reaume —a true champion of clergy care and well-being. While Karen isn’t ordained, her work (and her pursuit of a Doctor of Ministry degree) centers on helping ministry leaders live healthier, more sustainable lives. Together, we talk about the sneaky grip of the savior complex in ministry, the gift of sabbath, and the sacred invitation t...