Girls Talking Life

Enjoy this popular episode on marriage with Rhonda Stoppe, the No Regrets Woman (originally released in September of 2021)! Rhonda talks about what she did when her marriage wasn't what she thought it would be. She says the number one marriage trouble is unmet expectations. We chat about resentment and unforgiveness, and how if these sins are in our lives, we need to acknowledge and repent of them...

Enjoy this popular episode on gathering with Katie Brown, owner of At The Lane (originally released in August of 2021)! Katie is an intentional gathering facilitator, dinner party host & event designer. Katie tells us every gathering needs a purpose. She explains why and how to add intentionality to your gatherings. Katie says she always wants her guests to feel like their presence matters. You ma...

Are you longing for peace, but mostly feeling overwhelmed? Do you want to truly celebrate the Prince of Peace instead of doing ALL the things? Victoria Duerstock joins me for a conversation about how we can bring peace into our hearts and our homes during the Christmas season. You'll hear us talk about… How interior design elements parallel Scripture Tips for peaceful Christmas décor Inviting peac...

We have lots of emotions. Anger is one of them and it can be destructive, but it doesn't have to be.  Natalie Hixson is here to share her story of destructive anger and give us hope. Natalie and I talk about processing anger in a healthy way. She shares what to do in the heat of the moment, how to handle it if you blow it, and a longer term approach to finding out what's really behind the anger by...

Are you living the try-hard life? Do you find yourself working for your worth? Is it hard for you to accept the grace God offers? I'm joined today by Jill E. McCormick, a try-hard girl – i.e., a woman who wants to wholeheartedly pursue Christ, live and love well, and extend grace to herself and others, but isn't always sure how to do that in real life – who helps other try-hard girls (like me!) mo...

Welcome to another Girls Talking Life Extra. It's not a full show, just a short chat with a past guest to let you know what she's up to now. I'm talking with Hollie Daniels. Hollie joined me on episode 19 and shared her story of radical transformation. She was using drugs by age 11 and involved in prostitution by 15. After 17 years of living that lifestyle, Hollie was able to completely turn it al...

Would you describe yourself as ordinary? Do you feel like God couldn't possibly use you? In a season of grief, Robyn asked God to hold on to her, and he did. She experienced a closeness with Him that she can't stop talking about. She had a routine of walking for exercise, and God met her during her walks. Robyn began writing about what she experienced on her walks and unknowingly wrote a book with...

Today we are celebrating 100 episodes of the Girls Talking Life podcast with a special behind the scenes show, answering your questions, sharing favorite episodes, and of course, my Favorite 5! Cheers!   Mentioned in this Episode Don't Ignore the Nudge Podcast Open Door Sisterhood Podcast #19 with Hollie Daniels   Favorite Episodes (of 50-100): #85 Confront the Limits of your love with Amy Wolff #...

Are you believing lies about your motherhood? Do you feel like you have to keep it all together or that you are responsible for your child's happiness? Rebekah Hargraves and I are digging into some common lies moms believe, starting with where they come from, and how we can use the gospel to fight against them. You'll hear us talk about… How Motherhood is Important Work, but Not Your Highest Calli...

Welcome to a Girls Talking Life Extra. It's not a full show, just a short chat with a past guest to let you know what she's up to now. I'm talking with Gem Fadling. Gem joined me on episode 43 and we talked about what your soul loves – questions to ask that reveal God's work in you. If you haven't heard that conversation, be sure to go back and listen. Today we are talking about her new book, Hold...

As we move into this new season, we have the opportunity to reset our schedules, get organized and have time for what really matters. My guest, Ashley Brown, self-proclaimed routine queen, is here to help us with this! Ashley shares her story of transitioning from a working mom to a stay-at-home mom, and how the shifting of her role led her into depression and the mismanagement of her life. She pr...

Back to school is upon us and it can bring up a lot of emotions. Excitement for what's ahead, anxiety about the unknowns. Let's take it all to God. Our kids will face an array of things, good and bad, as they go back to school this year. Will they make good friends who help point them to Jesus? Will their teachers support them with life-giving words? Will our kids walk in confidence and make good...

We are wrapping it all up today! This is week ten, the final episode of the Summer of Friendship series.  If you haven't listened to all the episodes in this series or haven't been as intentional with your friendships as you'd planned, there's still time! There's no end date on this, in fact, this is just the beginning! Let's keep the momentum going! Think about how you will take the encouragement...

How do you react when your friend is shining in her gifting? Last week we talked about making new friends , starting conversations and being the inviter. One thing that can hold us back from starting new friendships or flourishing in our current ones...is comparison. We are in week nine of the Summer of Friendship series and special guest host, Sarah E. Westfall, joins us again to talk through CEL...

Do you crave community? Are you in a new city or a new season of life where you are looking for friends? We are in week eight of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about MAKING NEW FRIENDS. I walk through where to look and what to do. I share my personal experiences with community, and also talk about the fear of rejection and not disqualifying ourselves.  A few weeks ago we chatted...

How do you love your friends well in the midst of their pain, loss and grief?  We are in week seven of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about SHOWING UP WHEN LIFE GETS HARD with my very special guest host, Sarah E. Westfall. Sarah is a writer, speaker, podcast host, and director of community for hope*writers. Her work explores the intersection of faith, community, and connection....

Do you have women in your life who are acquaintances or casual friends that you'd like to be closer, deeper friends? We are in week six of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about DEEPENING OUR FRIENDSHIPS. I will walk through four factors I believe can lead us into deeper relationship with our girlfriends. If you listened last week, I encouraged you to start considering your curren...

Do you set unrealistic expectations for yourself or your friends? Have you given much thought to your capacity for friendships? We are in week five of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about CAPACITY AND EXPECTATIONS. We're taking a look at who we have in our lives, thinking through the time and energy we have available for those relationships, and our expectations for ourselves an...

Do you long for meaningful connection and resist it at the same time? Is something getting in the way of true connection for you? We are in week four of our Summer of Friendship series and we're talking about BARRIERS TO BELONGING with my very special guest host, Sarah E. Westfall. Sarah is a writer, speaker, podcast host, and director of community for hope*writers. Her work explores the intersect...

We are in week three of our Summer of Friendship series we're talking about how YOU ARE NEEDED IN COMMUNITY. You are a beloved daughter of God. You are a blessing and a benefit just by being you. Someone needs what you have to offer. To go along with this series, I'm hosting a Summer Friendship Challenge . If you're ready to dig in with intentionality this summer, I'd love for you to jump in. Each...

Did you know friendship is GOOD for you? We are in week two of the Summer of Friendship series and I'm giving you four ways friendship and meaningful connection are good for your physical and emotional health! To go along with this series, I'm hosting a Summer Friendship Challenge . If you're ready to dig in with intentionality this summer, I'd love for you to jump in. Each week of the challenge,...

We are in our very first week of the Summer of Friendship series talking about God's heart and design for community. To understand his perfect design, we're digging into His Word! Here are the verses referenced: Genesis 1:2 Genesis 1:27 John 1 Genesis 2:18 John 1:3 Corinthians 15:58 Matthew 22: 37-39 Proverbs 27:17 Romans 1:11-12 Hebrews 10:24-25 2 Corinthians 13:11 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Mark 12:30...

During June, July and August, I'll be releasing mini episodes of the show all about friendship. My hope is that these bite-sized shows will be just what you need for the laidback rhythm of summer and will encourage you to prioritize connection, make new friends and deepen existing friendships. To go along with this series, I'm hosting a Summer Friendship Challenge . If you're ready to dig in with...

Do you feel intimidated when you pick up the Bible or do you shy away from reading it altogether?  I am talking with Rachel Baker, author of Deconstructed, a bible study guide for anyone who feels overwhelmed or ill-equipped to study the word of God. Rachel shares how she "accidentally" became a pastor's wife. We chat about why it's important to feel confident to read the Bible for yourself. She g...

If someone believes, votes or thinks differently than you, are they your enemy? Are you quick to judge and dismiss people who aren't like you?  Amy is sharing her story of her unlikely friendship with a woman who is very different than she is. It started with a prompting from God for Amy to be in the world, hate her own sin more than everyone else's, and to love in a radically different way than o...