Faith Conversations Podcast

What happens when the dreams you have for your life take a different path than you expected? From a young age, Joanna Horst dreamed of becoming a pediatrician. Growing up in a Christian home, she developed a deep love for children, especially those with significant medical needs. But when the time came to pursue her dream, the path ahead looked very different from what she had imagined. In this ep...

What does life look like when God becomes the center of your home—and your everyday life? Jeanette Shaw knows what it's like to live on both sides of that question. Growing up in a difficult household where faith wasn't part of family life, Jeanette was a rebellious teenager who seemed to be heading down a destructive path. But an unexpected invitation to a church retreat introduced her to Jesus,...

Jane Fuller was in her 30’s before she met Jesus. Raised in a home where the guiding message was simply to “be good,” Jane learned to work hard, perform and achieve, but God wasn't part of her life. As a young professional, an unexpected pregnancy threatened the future she envisioned for herself as a young Army officer, so Jane made a choice to control the outcome. But the choice she made left her...

Knowing what Christianity looks like is different from knowing the God at the center of the faith. Growing up, Kelly Stiles lived between two very different worlds. During the summers she spent with her dad, she knew how to look the part—carrying her Bible, going to church and camp, and doing what she thought a Christian should do. But the rest of the year, Kelly was living a very different life....

Amber Waldrop's joy is unmistakable. But behind that joy is a story of deep pain, destructive choices, grace, and redemption. Amber grew up in an Air Force family that was always involved in church. In second grade, she first recognized her need for a Savior, and she spent the years that followed trying to live as she thought a Christian should. But when suffering came - including a painful violat...

Uyen Dang believed in God from childhood. She experienced the love of Jesus through the church that welcomed her Vietnamese refugee family to South Carolina, accepted God into her heart after her father's death, and later recognized her need for Jesus as Savior. But it would take years - and heartbreak - for Uyen to understand just how personal a relationship with God could be. In this episode of...

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, Karen Baker shares how surviving the attack on the Pentagon became the catalyst that led her to a saving faith in Jesus. Karen had been seeking God since childhood, but for years she thought following Him required choosing the right denomination, understanding religious rules, or fitting into a formal structure. Then 9/11 changed everything. Karen was wo...

What happens when life knocks you down and you realize you can’t get back up on your own? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera talks with Lauyren Lewton about a faith journey that moved from seeing Christianity as a list of rules to discovering a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Lauyren found herself at her lowest point in life as a mom when she lost her marria...

How do you make a wise decision when you genuinely don't know what the right thing to do is? In the final episode of the What Should I Do? series, Jessica Cabrera shares a personal story about planning a much-needed vacation during a season of financial uncertainty—and discovering that God cares about even the ordinary decisions we face. As Jessica and her husband prayed for wisdom, unexpected obs...

How do you choose when both opportunities are good—but one calls you to seek God's kingdom first? In the second episode of the What Should I Do? series, Jessica Cabrera shares the unexpected story of two opportunities that collided at the exact same moment: a unique career opportunity and a ministry opportunity she had spent years praying God would provide. Neither opportunity was wrong. Both were...

What do you do when two good opportunities compete—but choosing one requires trusting God? In the first episode of the What Should I Do? series, Jessica Cabrera shares a deeply personal story about a decision involving her son's future that unexpectedly became a test of her own faith. When an exclusive football showcase conflicted with a long-awaited Young Life camp, Jessica found herself wrestlin...

If you would like to connect with Kristen, CLICK HERE and she will send you a welcome email with a link to take her free assessment and you’ll get access to a 10% discount on her new book “When Strength Isn’t Enough”. What happens when shame keeps you from drawing near to God—and how do you find your way back? In this replay of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Kristen St...

In this replay from May 2025, Marissa shares how the Holy Spirit ignited a craving to level up her relationship with God and inspired the unscripted path her life has taken. Through illuminating encounters and tangible affirmations, Marissa’s journey testifies what happens when faith leads the way.  If you would like to know more about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life, you may read Joh...

What happens when the version of the “good life” you’re chasing leaves you empty? In this replay of Faith Conversations from January, Matt Rampey shares his honest journey from chasing pleasure, popularity, and freedom on his own terms to discovering the true freedom found in Jesus Christ. Matt's life was shaped by partying, unhealthy addictions, and a relentless pursuit of approval—until everythi...

In this replay of the Faith Conversations Podcast from October 2025, Katie Hagan opens up about growing up in church, wrestling with how much religious hypocrisy is out there, and learning what it truly means to walk in a personal, surrendered relationship with God. From her early baptism to adult struggles with doubt, Christian culture, and social justice, Katie shares a candid and compelling sto...

In this special summer update, Jessica Cabrera shares why Faith Conversations Podcast is taking a short recording break, what listeners can expect over the coming weeks, and how God continues to work through every season of life. Learn why four unforgettable replay episodes can strengthen your faith, hear about exclusive guest update reels, and get a preview of three new solo episodes exploring th...

What happens when you know about God but have never experienced a relationship with Him? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Rosana Berquist, who shares her powerful journey from religious tradition to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Raised in a large Catholic family in Peru, Rosana learned moral values and religious practices but did not understand the Gos...

What happens when you stop running from God and begin searching for Him with your whole heart? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Michelle Dillard, Women's Ministry Director at Burke Community Church. Michelle shares how a childhood prayer, seasons of rebellion, her father's stroke, the 2008 housing crash, and ultimately God's grace drew her into a life-...

How do you trust God when life unfolds differently than you imagined? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Tiffany Royce, who shares how God faithfully guided her from simply believing in Him to experiencing a personal relationship with Him. As Tiffany grew in her faith, God's Word and the Holy Spirit became a compass that directed her life. Through season...

How can Jesus transform a life marked by loss, addiction, trauma, and despair? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Michelle Burton, massage therapist at NOVA Body Mechanics, who shares her remarkable journey from a childhood filled with loss, instability, abuse, and addiction to a life transformed by the love, truth, and purpose found in Jesus Christ. Aft...

How do you find hope when life feels dark? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Marcella Oakley, a former detective, hostage negotiator, wife, mother, and friend of Rachel Noonan from the first episode of Faith Conversations. Marcella shares how her grandmother helped her understand the importance of a personal relationship with God, how God carried her th...

In this heartfelt episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews her mother, Jan Smith, about her journey from growing up in church, to drifting away from God, and ultimately rediscovering a personal relationship with Jesus. Jan shares how, even during seasons when she was not living for God, she could still see His protection and guidance in her life. A life-changing Walk...

How does a relationship with God change the way we see life? In this solo episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera reflects on the powerful perspective shifts revealed through the stories shared over the past year of the podcast. Time and time again, people who encountered God experienced transformation—not just in their circumstances, but in how they viewed life itself. This ep...

What does it really mean to live your best life? In this solo episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera explores what it means to move beyond merely surviving and begin living the abundant life God designed us for. Our culture tells us to seek comfort, control, and self-satisfaction—but God calls us to something greater: a life of faith, surrender, and purpose. Jessica shares how...

Is God really in control of what’s happening in your life? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera revisits Pastor Marty Baker’s story and reflects on the providence of God—the truth that God is actively involved in His creation, guiding all events to accomplish His purpose. Through personal testimony and reflection, Jessica shares how God has orchestrated the details o...