Holy Heartbreak Podcast

In this episode, Ryan Dawn Holland and Ida Benson-Jaja (owner of @homekitchenatl) delve into the complexities of hope, exploring its biblical foundations and personal implications. They discuss the stories of Joseph and Abraham, emphasizing the importance of maintaining hope against all odds. The conversation highlights the significance of perspective in understanding hope and the necessity of wai...

In this episode of the Holy Heartbreak podcast, host Ryan Dawn Holland and guest Ida Benson-Jaja delve into the profound themes of hope, faith, and perseverance. Through heartfelt discussions and personal stories, they explore the complexities of understanding God's character and the promises He makes to His followers. Join them as they navigate the challenges of hope deferred, the strength found...

In this episode, Ryan Dawn Holland and Amber Ginter Johnson dive into the intersection of faith and mental health . Amber vulnerably shares her own journey with anxiety within a Christian context, offering wisdom on what it looks like to hold both faith and struggle at the same time. Together they explore: ✨ The nuances of anxiety and the importance of naming our emotions without shame ✨ How pra...

This week, I’m joined by ⁠@pieterlvalk⁠ , licensed counselor, ministry leader, and cofounder of a modern Christian monastery, for a conversation that challenges what we’ve been taught about singleness. We talk about: 💬 The difference between common and vocational singleness 🏠 Why celibacy doesn’t have to mean isolation 🧭 How to discern your calling without rushing it 🤝 Practical ways to build...

In this solo episode, Ryan Dawn takes listeners into the story of Abraham — not the highlight reel, but the quiet, difficult years of waiting between promise and fulfillment. With honesty and depth, she explores how desire , when unmet or delayed, can shape our spiritual lives — sometimes deepening our devotion, other times becoming distorted into idols . Drawing from biblical narrative and person...

What if the healing you’ve begged God for never comes? In this vulnerable conversation, Ryan Dawn sits down with author and speaker Brenna Blain (@bunonmyhead) to talk about suffering, mental health, and what it looks like to stay faithful when your prayers aren't answered (at least the way you'd expect). Brenna shares openly about living with bipolar disorder, the pain of unanswered prayers, and...

In this episode of Holy Heartbreak Podcast , Ryan Dawn Holland sits down with therapist, podcaster, and spiritual mentor Kyle Spears to talk about seeking spiritual maturity both in and out of the church. Together, they unpack the tension between needing therapy and spiritual guidance. This conversation gets real about: When scripture gets weaponized What emotionally healthy mentorship really look...

In this episode, Ryan Dawn sits down with Pastor and author Matt Walker Thrift to dive deep into the overlooked but fiery book of Obadiah . What starts as a story about an ancient nation’s downfall becomes a mirror—showing us what pride, silence, and spiritual complacency can still do today. Together, they explore how Edom’s pride became the gateway to injustice , how unchecked ego leads to compli...

In this heartfelt conversation, Liz Sevigny (@thebald_mom) shares her journey with alopecia, discussing the emotional and spiritual challenges she has faced. From her initial diagnosis at age 12 to the profound impact of hair loss on her self-image and faith, Liz opens up about her struggles and the turning points that led her to share her story online. She emphasizes the importance of community s...

Ever feel like everyone else is living your dream life while you're just... trying to hold it together? Same. In this episode of Holy Heartbreak , Ryan Dawn Holland sits down with Meghan Ryan Asbury (@meghanryanasbury), author of You Are Not Behind , to talk about what it means to live in the tension of unmet expectations, delayed dreams, and that “grass is greener” pressure that constantly whispe...

In this season-opening episode of Holy Heartbreak , Ryan Dawn Holland shares her personal story of spiritual exhaustion, heartbreak, and the moment she realized she couldn’t carry her faith on her own anymore. Drawing from the story of Abraham, Ryan explores how God’s covenant love isn’t dependent on our performance —it’s for the burned out, the doubting, and the deeply weary. This episode speaks...

In this conversation, Ryan Dawn and Joshua Ryan Butler explore the intersection of faith and politics, discussing the four political quadrants and how they relate to Christian values. They emphasize the importance of recognizing idolatry in political beliefs, the need for self-reflection, and the value of diverse perspectives within the church. The discussion also highlights creative ways for Chri...

In this conversation, Ryan Dawn and Justin Giboney explore the intricate relationship between faith and politics, emphasizing the need for Christians to engage thoughtfully and compassionately in political discourse. They discuss the importance of humility, self-critique, and the necessity of maintaining relationships despite political differences. Justin Giboney highlights the significance of a b...

In this reflective episode, Ryan Dawn shares her personal journey over the past year, highlighting significant moments of spiritual growth, healing, and the importance of community and mentorship. She discusses the impact of travel on her healing process, the nature of God's love and care, and the challenges of spiritual warfare. Through her experiences, she emphasizes the importance of relinquish...

In this conversation, Ryan Dawn and Bryce G explore the profound significance of celebration in the Christian faith. They discuss how celebration serves as a foundation for faith, especially during hardships, and the role of music in fostering remembrance and joy. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of celebration within communities and homes, highlighting personal testimo...

In this conversation, Kit shares his transformative journey from a traditional ministry role to founding the Power of Peace Project, which focuses on serving "the least of these", particularly in prison settings. He discusses the challenges he faced, including personal struggles with addiction and shame, and how these experiences led him to a deeper understanding of God's grace and the importance...

What do we do when life doesn't feel fair? We explore this question and others like it with special guest, Dave Malutinok, as he discusses the challenges of navigating grief after tragedy. Dave's honesty and vulnerability in this conversation will surely connect to anyone wrestling with understanding what their suffering means about God, faith, etc. while providing an example of a graceful way for...

Today we are talking all about singleness, purpose, waiting, agency, and so much more! Although this episode is specifically geared towards singleness, anyone feeling like they are "waiting" on a blessing will surely enjoy this conversation. Our special guest is Edyn McLeod, a RevivEE missionary. You can check out more of RevivEE's work from the link below: https://www.reviveeeasterneurope.org/⁠ht...

We recently interviewed special guest @drbenbarnett, CEO of @hope_worldwide, about the development of his convictions on service. As we walked through passages like Matthew 25, we are reminded of the significance of loving our neighbors as part of God’s vision for communal restoration. For more information on HOPE worldwide, visitz: https://www.hopeww.org/

This conversation delves into the heavy and often unspoken topic of pregnancy loss, exploring the emotional and spiritual journey of those who experience it in addition to the ways this “genre of suffering” relates to all sufferers. Special guest LaToya Massey shares personal stories of miscarriage, the impact on subsequent pregnancies, and the role of faith in navigating grief. The discussion emp...

In this conversation, Andrew Fisk shares his journey through the highs and lows of his career, focusing on the challenges of rejection, the importance of identity, and the role of faith in navigating life's trials. He discusses his work with 'Free the Artist,' his experiences in the music industry, and the lessons learned from various setbacks. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of understan...

Summary: In this conversation, Ryan and AbI discuss the ongoing turmoil in Lebanon, focusing on the personal and communal impacts of war. AbI shares her experiences and the emotional toll it has taken on her and her community. They explore the importance of faith in navigating these challenges, emphasizing the need for prayer and reliance on God. The conversation also highlights coping mechanisms,...

Keywords God, Old Testament, New Testament, faith, justice, goodness, suffering, grace, restoration, scripture Summary In this solo podcast episode, Ryan Dawn explores the complex nature of God as depicted in the Old and New Testaments. She addresses the common misperception of God as angry in the Old Testament and loving in the New Testament, seeking to reconcile these views. Through personal ref...

You've heard "Comparison is the thief of joy!" but ending comparison is easier said than done. Comparison is a tool of our enemy used to deepen our suffering by isolating us from God and His Church and misplacing our identity. With the help of Jenn Schultz, author of "She's Not Your Enemy. Conquering Our Insecurities So We Can Build God's Kingdom Together," we will do a deep dive on the topic of c...

What do we do when our prayers don't seem to be answered? Is it okay to ask God to fulfill our desires? Does God care about our desires? What can we pray about? If God isn't answering my prayers, does that mean He is against me? On today's episode, we will talk about all the hard questions that praying through seasons of longing and suffering might bring. With the help of Molly Wilcox, author of "...