Her Faith Inspires Podcast

In a culture that constantly tells women to "believe in yourself," how do we discern the difference between cultural empowerment and true biblical strength? Author Becky Beresford joins me to talk about her powerful new book, She Believed HE Could, So She Did . We dig into why the self-help gospel has gained such a strong foothold in Christian circles, the subtle ways women absorb messages of self...

In this episode, we tackle one of the most controversial and necessary conversations in the church today—false teaching. Michael and I dig into questions like: How do we define a false teacher biblically? What red flags should you watch for? What if you're emotionally attached to someone who taught you in a hard season? Why does biblical literacy matter more than ever? We also discuss the backlash...

In today's episode, we're digging into spiritual discernment . Everyone practices discernment daily—what to wear, what to eat, who to trust—but spiritual discernment is something deeper. It's not just a good habit—it's a biblical command. So what is the gift of discernment, and does that mean only some Christians are expected to use it? Or is spiritual discernment something we're all called to wal...

Contemplative prayer. Centering. Silence and stillness. These words sound peaceful—even spiritual—but are they biblical? In this eye-opening episode, Shanda sits down with Marcia Montenegro , a former New Ager turned Christian apologist, to unpack the growing trend of contemplative prayer in the church. Together, they examine: What contemplative prayer is—and how it differs from biblical prayer Wh...

In this episode of the Her Faith Inspires podcast, we're diving into a hot topic that's stirring up controversy in Christian circles: calling out false teachers. Recently, some Christian influencers have labeled others as heretics and demanded public repentance. But how do we know when someone is truly a false teacher—or when we've crossed the line into cancel culture? We'll look at: The differenc...

What's really showing up in your child's classroom? In this episode, I sit down with Gary VanRiper—author of The Adirondack Kids book series—to talk about the subtle (and not-so-subtle) messages woven into modern elementary school books and curriculum. As a parent, you must be informed and involved. Gary brings insight not only as a writer but also as someone who deeply cares about truth and shapi...

Does biblical womanhood only apply to wives and moms? Not even close. In this episode, Shanda speaks directly to single women and unpacks what it means to live out biblical womanhood right now—before the wedding ring, the house, or the kids. She discusses why your identity is already rooted in Christ, not in your relationship status, and why the standards you set for dating and the kind of man you...

In today's episode, Shanda welcomes author, apologist, and professor Dr. Sean McDowell to the show to talk about one of the most important conversations Christians need to have—how to talk about God in a constantly shifting culture. Sean shares what inspired him to collaborate with multiple authors on his latest book and why timeless truth must be communicated with cultural awareness. They discuss...

In this episode, we explore what it means to be a woman according to Scripture—not culture. Shanda breaks down the difference between defining and describing womanhood, showing how God gives us a clear definition of what a woman is, and then describes her character through passages like Titus 2 and 1 Timothy. You'll learn how identity in Christ shapes biblical womanhood, why the cultural view fall...

In this episode, I'm joined by Monique Duson and Krista Bontrager from the Center for Biblical Unity. We dive into what true racial reconciliation looks like from a biblical worldview— and why the church must reject secular ideologies like Critical Race Theory in favor of gospel- centered truth. Monique and Krista share how their friendship began and how it laid the foundation for their ministry p...

In today's episode, we're diving into an important conversation about relationships— how to recognize real friendships from faux ones, and why understanding the Relationship Ladder is crucial for dating, friendships, and beyond. Inspired by a recent marriage retreat and my latest blog post, " Friend or Faux," we'll explore the five rungs of the relationship ladder: Knowledge, Recreation, Emotion,...

In a time of rising global antisemitism and unrest, how do we make sense of the tension surrounding Israel, identity, and the Messiah? In this episode, we unpack the spiritual and prophetic threads woven throughout Scripture—many of which point unmistakably to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. David Brickner shares how he came to believe in Jesus, why even His earliest followers struggled to unde...

You've probably heard it before—"The church is a hospital for the sick." But is that really what the Bible teaches about the purpose of the Church? In this episode, we dive into this popular phrase to ask some hard but necessary questions: Is the church primarily for the unsaved? Should believers take a backseat while the spiritually sick are treated? Or has our understanding of the Church's missi...

In today's world of constant connectivity, many are feeling more isolated than ever. In this episode, we're diving into the heart of The New Loneliness by Cindi McMenamin—a timely and powerful resource for anyone longing for deeper, more authentic relationships. We'll talk about how our cultural environment and heavy reliance on technology have quietly eroded true connection, and how you can overc...

George Janko, Russell Brand—what do we do with popular influencers who are on a public faith journey? In this episode, I share my honest thoughts on the rise of online Christian voices, the risks of platforming spiritual newbies, and why discernment is so critical for believers—especially those still learning biblical truth. I'm not here to cancel anyone, but I am here to help you think critically...

In today's episode, we're talking about the top three mental health struggles people are facing right now—anxiety, depression, and mood-related disorders. Our guest, Kenza Haddock, brings a powerful perspective that combines practical mental health strategies with a spiritual approach that's helping people find real, lasting freedom. We'll unpack her book The Three Enemies of Your Mental Health an...

In today's episode, we're diving into a topic that stopped me in my tracks during my study of 1 John: "Many antichrists have come." What does that even mean? And how does it connect to the Antichrist we hear about in end-times prophecy? Here's what we're unpacking: What does the term "antichrist" actually mean? Who are the antichrists John talks about—and are they in the church today? What does Sc...

In this episode, we dive into Case Files: Murder and Meaning , a gripping graphic novel created by real-life detectives and Christian apologists behind Cold-Case Christianity . The story follows Detective Michael "Murph" Murphy as he investigates a chilling series of murders in Los Angeles County, racing against time to stop a killer before they strike again. But Case Files is more than just murde...

How do you recognize God's promises in your life? Unlike many Old Testament covenants, the Noahic Covenant wasn't conditional—it was an unbreakable promise from God, sealed with the sign of the rainbow. That symbol wasn't just a pretty after-storm moment; it was—and still is—a reminder that what God promises, He will fulfill. In this episode, we break down how to identify God's promises in Scriptu...

What does it look like to live out your faith in a world that doesn't want to hear it? In this episode, I sit down with Natasha Crain to talk about her new book When Culture Hates You. We dig into what it means to be a Christian in a culture that's increasingly hostile to biblical truth - and how to stay grounded when your convictions are seen as offensive. Natasha brins clarity and encouragement...

Some pastors in the West don't like to mention the "s" word from the pulpit for fear of offending people. However, the Bible says you are either a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. Karl Clauson is on the show to discuss why sin is the one thing that defeats you and why you have to reckon with it. Karl shares the difference between recognizing your sin and owning it, and why Christians can'...

According to Open Doors, 1 in 7 Christians around the world were persecuted for their faith in 2024. Statistics show Christian persecution is on the rise. Although Jesus warned us the world would hate us because it hates Him, does that mean our response to persecution should be passive? In this episode, we look back at the attitude of bystanders during the Holocaust, and the reaction of the German...

Why is there a fascination with the paranormal? Before becoming a Christian, Marcia Montenegro was involved in Eastern spiritual beliefs. She discusses her pursuit of New Age practices and the fascination with the supernatural realm. Marcia exposes Hollywood films, games, and other forms of entertainment that are targeting children by luring them in with occult themes. She provides a biblical basi...

How can parents ensure they have the greatest infuence in their teen's life when statistics show teenagers are on their phones for at last eight hours a day? TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms compete for their attention (and even ours). Dr. Jeff Myers, president of Summit Ministries and creator of worldview curriculum and training for young people, talks about the DNA of influenc...

A few weeks ago, Marianne Budde scolded President Trump from behind a pulpit at the inaugural prayer breakfast. What does this say about the state of the church? Leadership changes every four years but the church is supposed to be the constant that holds the culture accountable to objective truth. Is the church being changed by the culture or is the culture changing the church? It's one or the oth...