Encounters at the Well

Have you ever wondered if a habit that once helped you cope has quietly started controlling you? In this episode of Encounters at the Well , we're talking about behavioral addictions and the subtle ways they can take hold of our hearts and minds. From endless scrolling and shopping to binge-watching, emotional eating, and other compulsive behaviors, we explore why we turn to these things and what...

Have you ever found yourself reaching for something to numb the pain, quiet the anxiety, or escape the overwhelm? In this episode of Encounters at the Well , we're having an honest conversation about substance addiction, numbing behaviors, and the hope of healing through Christ. Addiction often grows in secrecy and isolation, but freedom begins when we bring our struggles into the light and allow...

In this deeply personal episode of Encounters at the Well , I'm joined by my daughter, Alli, as she shares her journey through anxiety, depression, and faith. Together, we have an honest conversation about what it's like to walk through mental health struggles as a Christian, both from the perspective of the person struggling and the family members who love them. Alli opens up about her experience...

What happens when faith feels strong on the outside… but anxiety and depression are loud on the inside? In this honest conversation, we’re talking about the real struggle so many Christian women face with mental health and why battling anxiety or depression does not mean your faith is weak. We dive into the intersection of faith and mental health, the role the church can play in healing, and why t...

The series explores themes of comparison, body image, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and approval addiction. It delves into the impact of social media, seeking external validation, and the struggle with self-worth. The episodes emphasize embracing God's view of identity, freedom from human judgment, and anchoring identity in Christ's love and acceptance. Takeaways Embrace God's view of identity S...

The conversation delves into the topic of perfectionism and its impact on self-worth and faith. It explores the rewards and consequences of perfectionism, its roots, and its influence on one's relationship with God. The episode concludes with practical steps to overcome perfectionism and live from a place of 'I am enough.' Takeaways Perfectionism as a form of control The impact of perfectionism on...

The episode explores the theme of people-pleasing and the impact of performance-based worth on individuals. It emphasizes the contrast between people-pleasing and God-pleasing, highlighting the freedom and assurance found in God's love and acceptance. Takeaways Performance-based worth leads to people-pleasing and a constant need for approval. God's love and acceptance provide freedom from the burd...

The conversation explores the topics of body image, aging, and identity in Christ, focusing on the experiences and insights of Jessica Nelson, a gerontology professional. It delves into the cultural messages about aging, the importance of health, and the need to embrace aging while prioritizing self-care and mental well-being. The conversation explores the themes of embracing aging with grace, the...

The conversation delves into the comparison trap and its emotional impact, particularly in the context of social media and the church. It explores the feelings of jealousy, inadequacy, and resentment associated with comparison, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and naming these emotions. The episode concludes with a call to action to notice, name, and bring these emotions into the light...

Send a text What happens when you don’t have time to grieve? In this deeply honest episode of Encounters at the Well , Amy sits down with Kellie Bradshaw to talk about delayed grief, survival mode, and what faith looks like when loss keeps coming and life keeps demanding more. Kellie shares her story of profound and repeated loss, including stillbirth, miscarriage, and the tragic death of her 18-y...

Send a text Shame rarely shouts.  It whispers. It tells us this sin was too much.  This failure crossed a line.  God may forgive others, but He could never forgive me. In this teaching episode, Amy Donathan gently addresses the kind of shame many Christian women carry quietly. The shame that lingers long after confession. The shame that shapes identity, relationships, and how close we allow oursel...

Send a text In this episode of Encounters at the Well , Amy Donathan sits down with Regina Thompson, a licensed clinical social worker and the manager of GraceHaven , a pregnancy resource clinic in Mt. Vernon, Illinois and a ministry of Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services . Regina has worked with pregnant women since 1990 and shares what it looks like to offer truth, compassion, and practi...

Send a text What does the Bible really mean when it calls something good ? For many of us, the word good has become shorthand for comfort, ease, or life going according to plan. When things are smooth, relationships are calm, and prayers seem answered the way we hoped, we’re quick to say God is good. But what about the seasons that are full, messy, painful, or unfinished? What does good mean then?...

Send a text Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough for God? Maybe you have moments when you wonder if you should pray more, read more, serve more, or somehow “be better” so God will be pleased with you. For many Christian women, this pressure becomes a quiet but constant weight that whispers, “You are falling behind spiritually.” In today’s episode, we confront that pressure head-on by loo...

Send a text How do you actually pass your faith on to your kids when you feel like a hot mess most days and your life looks nothing like those “perfect Christian family” posts on Instagram? That is exactly what we talk about in this episode of Encounters at the Well as I sit down with one of my dearest friends, Keely Kuehner, a mom of three boys, new mother in law, and very proud Kiki to a four ye...

Send a text When life suddenly shifts and everything feels unsteady, how do you keep your eyes on Jesus instead of sinking into fear? In this new season of Encounters at the Well , I am introducing short teaching episodes where it is just you and me opening God’s Word together — finding peace, clarity, and strength for real life. In today’s teaching, “The Moment Peter Sank: Keeping Your Eyes on Je...

Send a text Have you ever wondered if your story is too messy or too broken for God to redeem? In this episode of Encounters at the Well , I share my own testimony — the parts I once thought were too painful, too shameful, and too far gone for God to use. From childhood feelings of being unwanted, to a teenage pregnancy and abortion, to the trauma of an abusive relationship, my early story was mar...

Send a text Have you ever wondered if your story is too broken for God to redeem? In this powerful episode of Encounters at the Well , host Amy Donathan sits down with her friend Amanda to share a raw and vulnerable testimony of insecurity, trauma, divorce, abuse, and heartbreak — and how Jesus met her in the middle of it all with unshakable love and restoration. Amanda opens up about: • Growing u...

Send a text When your health suddenly turns your entire life upside down, how do you keep your faith from crumbling with it? In this powerful episode of Encounters at the Well , Amy Donathan sits down with guest Traci Broeker to share her honest journey of walking through chronic illness and discovering the sustaining presence of God in suffering. After a Covid vaccine reaction triggered mast cell...

Send a text What does it actually mean to live from your identity in Christ — and how would that change the way you experience joy, even when life is uncertain? This episode of Encounters at the Well is for the Christian woman who feels like her identity shifts with every season — empty nesting, transitioning roles, or simply feeling lost in the mundane. I sit down with my friend and fellow Christ...

Send a text She grew up in church. She knew all the answers. Her mom was in ministry. But she did not truly know Jesus — not until college. In this vulnerable and hope-filled episode of Encounters at the Well , I sit down with my daughter, Alli, to share our story from both sides. We talk honestly about what it was like raising her in the faith, watching her attend church, serve, and say all the r...

Send a text What happens when a childhood secret finally rises to the surface after forty years of silence? In this deeply moving episode of Encounters at the Well , host Amy Donathan sits down with Brandi Cline to share her powerful story of trauma, fear, and the redeeming love of Jesus. Sexually abused at just two years old and raised in an environment of fear and spiritual distortion, Brandi sp...

Send a text What if your health journey was never meant to be fueled by guilt, pressure, or perfection, but instead by worship, stewardship, and freedom in Christ? This episode of Encounters at the Well is for the Christian woman who wants to care for her body without getting caught up in diet culture or shame. Amy Donathan sits down with faith-based fitness coach Don LaTorre to talk about what it...

Send a text What do you do when the person who breaks your heart is a church leader — and instead of support, you are met with silence and rejection? If you have ever been wounded by the Church or felt abandoned when you needed compassion, this episode will speak directly to your heart. In today’s episode of Encounters at the Well , host Amy Donathan sits down with Joni Pauley, a pastor’s wife who...

Send a text Motherhood does not end when your kids become adults — but it does change, and sometimes in ways that feel confusing, painful, or isolating. If you have ever wondered how to love your grown children well without trying to control them, this episode is for you. Host Amy Donathan is joined by Christian mom and encourager Wendee Turner for a real and grace-filled conversation about naviga...