Empowered To Lead

Are you constantly saying things like “I’m just checking in…” or “Sorry, but…” without even thinking about it? These subtle phrases—called speech minimizers—can quietly sabotage your authority and impact. In this episode, we explore the three most common habits that undermine women’s voices: hedging, over-apologizing, and qualifying. You’ll learn why we use them, how gender bias plays a role (yes,...

Can you be a Christian and a feminist? For some, the answer is a bold yes. For others, it feels like a contradiction. In this episode, we unpack the history, theology, and misconceptions that surround the word feminism—especially in Christian spaces. From Jesus' radical treatment of women to the faith-fueled activism of early feminists like Sojourner Truth and Catherine Booth, we trace how the cal...

What if everything you’ve believed about failure is wrong? In this episode, Jeannette is busting open four common myths about failure that quietly sabotage our growth, confidence, and calling. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the fear of messing up, held back your ideas, or waited for perfect conditions to act, this conversation is for you. You’ll learn why failure isn’t the enemy. It’s often the...

Have you ever wondered if the way you’ve been taught about Christian marriage really lines up with God's heart? In today's episode, you’re invited into a conversation about something that still causes so much confusion — mutuality in marriage. You’ll hear a journey that might feel familiar — from believing a husband had to be the "spiritual leader" (even when it didn’t quite make sense) to discove...

If you’ve ever felt like the version of womanhood taught in your church doesn’t quite reflect the freedom and purpose you sense God put inside you… you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving deep into egalitarian theology: what it is, what it’s not, and why it offers a more faithful and freeing interpretation of Scripture than the limiting teachings many of us were handed. Whether you’re curi...

In this episode, Jeannette Cochran takes a bold and thoughtful look at complementarian theology—the belief that men are divinely appointed to lead while women are called to follow. Whether this term is brand new to you or something you've wrestled with for years, this conversation is for every woman who has felt the quiet pressure to stay small, hold back, or defer to others—even when she knows Go...

In this episode, Jeannette Cochran sits down with culture coach and speaker Nikki Lerner for a rich conversation about multicultural leadership and why it matters more than ever. They talk about what it takes to lead well in diverse spaces—like understanding cultural differences, building inclusive environments, and developing real cultural competence. Nikki shares insights on the power of proximi...

In this episode, Jeannette dives into a critical but often overlooked aspect of leadership—managing anxiety. Leadership and anxiety go hand in hand, and the real question isn’t whether you’ll experience anxiety, but how you’ll handle it. Drawing from personal experience and expert insights, she explores why anxiety is a natural part of leadership, how it can become destructive if ignored, and how...

In this episode, Jeanette Cochran delves into the topic of emotions in leadership, particularly addressing the stereotype that women are 'too emotional' to lead effectively. Jeanette challenges these long-standing biases, using biblical examples and recent research to highlight that emotional intelligence is a powerful leadership asset for both men and women. Tune in to explore how embracing your...

So many of us look for joy in fleeting places—success, perfection, or comparison—only to find ourselves feeling empty or disappointed. In this Advent reflection, we’re diving deep into the difference between happiness and true, lasting joy. You’ll discover how joy isn’t dependent on circumstances but is rooted in something far deeper: the presence and promises of God. We’ll explore the angel’s pro...

Join Jeanette Cochran, pastor and leadership coach, in this special Advent series episode. Explore the profound concept of 'peace' from a biblical perspective, specifically the Hebrew word 'Shalom', and discover practical ways to embrace Christ's peace amidst the holiday chaos and difficult relationships. Jeanette offers heartfelt advice for women to release control, set healthy boundaries, and fo...

Christmas is meant to be a season of joy, wonder, and hope. But too often, it becomes a whirlwind of shopping lists, endless to-dos, and feeling stretched too thin. During the busyness, it’s easy to lose sight of the deep, soul-stirring meaning of this season.   But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if this Advent, you could reclaim a sense of calm, purpose, and connection? What if you s...

In this episode of the Empowered Christian Woman Podcast, host Jeanette Cochran interviews author Liz Coolidge Jenkins about her new book, 'Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism.' They discuss the subtle and overt ways patriarchy operates in churches, particularly those that are 'complementarian,' and its impact on women and community. Liz shares her personal jou...

Jeanette Cochran interviews Pastor Brooke Palmer, a pioneering woman leading a new church plant in Urbana, Maryland. Jeanette and Brooke discuss Brooke's unique journey from professional musician to lead pastor, the challenges and discrimination faced by women in church leadership, and the vision for Belonging Community Church. Brooke shares her insights on innovative leadership, the importance of...

In this heartfelt episode, Jeannette reflects on her journey as a five-year breast cancer survivor and shares transformative insights on cultivating joy despite life's hardships. She delves into six practical steps to choose joy intentionally—setting an intention, practicing gratitude, engaging in contemplative prayer, managing technology use, indulging in joy-producing activities, and taking care...

Listen in on this important conversation with host, Jeannette Cochran, and special guest, Katie Ding, discussing the pivotal role of women in the ministry of Jesus.  The conversation delves into the significant presence and contributions of women at the resurrection of Jesus, highlighting the contrast between societal views of women at the time and their pivotal role as messengers of Jesus' resurr...

Author and Recovery Coach, Sally Hope, shares her journey from surviving domestic abuse to empowering others to heal and reclaim their identities. Sally discusses her specialization in aiding Christian domestic abuse survivors through the 'Always Hopeful' program, an 11-week recovery initiative designed for women healing from domestic abuse. This program, available locally and online for free, enc...

In this episode, host Jeanette Cochran dives deep into the most important question we can ask ourselves as we move into 2024: How am I going to grow my potential? Join us as we explore the concept of potential, surrendering to God's spirit, and the power of becoming the person He created us to be. Discover practical tips, inspiring insights, and actionable steps to propel your personal and profess...

Jeannette explores women's unique roles in Advent in this episode with special guest Jill Lin. Jill is a stay-at-home mom with an education and background in history, theology, and languages. An immigrant from England now living in the United States, Jill has been part of churches from several diverse denominations, each giving her a rich experience of the Christian faith. In this episode, Jill de...

Navigating the complexities of life and work with efficiency takes time and effort. So much is coming at us, and "stuff" quickly piles up. Professional organizer Lindsey Hadegree shares the most crucial question you must ask to cut through the clutter and create order in your inner and outer world. Lindsey is a professional organizer trained and certified by Marie Kondo. Through her business, Get...

Today's episode is a conversation with Morgan McCarver. Morgan is a multi-award-winning ceramic artist and author of the book, God the Artist.  She is a business owner of Morgan McCarver Porcelain with studios in Asheville, NC and Spartanburg, SC. Her work has been featured in galleries and juried exhibitions across the United States including two solo exhibitions, “FemininiTEA” 2020 and “The Stre...

This week Jeannette has a thought-provoking conversation with special guest, Nicky Pizana, around the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome within organizational systems and cultures, including the Church. Jeannette and Nicky delve into the ways in which these systems perpetuate feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, particularly among those who don't conform to traditional stereotypes and cultural...

Have you ever been mistaken as the assistant when actually you were the leader in charge? If you're a female leader, chances are good this has happened to you a time or two.  This subtle form of gender bias is called role incredulity. It’s usually unintentional and seems harmless, but it creates obstacles for women and contributes to systemic gender inequity in organizations. Role incredulity even...

Today, Jeannette talks about a mindset shift that has helped her thrive through even the most challenging seasons. Shifting from scarcity to abundance can literally transform your life! Scarcity shows up every day in big and small ways, and at its core, scarcity is always a lack of faith. With a bit of intention and practice we can train our brains for abundance and experience more of the beautifu...

Today we discuss a figure who has had a profound impact on millions of lives around the world - Pastor Rick Warren. A mega Church Pastor and bestselling author, Rick has been a prominent voice within the evangelical community. Renowned for his complementarian views on gender roles, he recently significantly shifted his beliefs, fully embracing egalitarian theology and ordaining several women pasto...