Honestly, Though

Beauty is a multi-billion dollar industry. But what is it actually selling us? Over the centuries, cultures have gone to extreme lengths to attain that which is deemed beautiful. While fashion and styles may change, there is a type of beauty that transcends understanding, that stirs up yearning inside us. Dr. Brian Chan, Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, sits down with Rebecca Carrell and...

In this 100th episode, Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez, and Nika Spaulding look back over the last two years and forward to the future. Thank you for being a part of the Honestly, though listening family! We love you and the show wouldn't exist without you. Want to listen to the episodes we referenced? Here you go: Episode 90: Liz's Health Struggles: Losing Weight Without Losing Herself: https://po...

When John-the-Baptist first burst onto the first century scene, his message was simple: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" Jesus preached the same message through the region of Galilee. The forgiveness of sins sits at the heart of the gospel. So what do we lose when we eliminate prayers of confession? Join Rebecca Carrell, Nika Spaulding, and Liz Rodriguez as they examine the issue th...

Research shows that when a phone is in sight, anxiety goes up. So how does that affect the way we engage with God and the Bible when we read Scripture on our phone? If technology is not a neutral force, how is it forming us? Dr. John Dyer, Vice President for Enrollment Services and Educational Technologies and Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary sits down with...

What do the Scriptures say about how Christians should vote? Surprisingly, very little. The Bible does, however, reflect God's heart for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed. Jesus told his disciples to "Love your neighbor as yourself," and politics, when considered thoughtfully, are one of the best tools Christians have to do just that. Kaitlyn Schiess, author and co-host of The Holy Pos...

Ephesus housed the great temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The goddess makes a cameo in Acts 19, but, until Dr. Sandra Glahn's groundbreaking work, has been largely neglected. How did the ancient deity impact the world of the New Testament and what impact did she have on Paul's letters? Dr. Glahn sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to talk about Artemi...

Several decades ago, males made up the majority of the trans population, representing less than a fraction of a percent of society. Suddenly, within the last fifteen years, girls are outpacing boys more than 3-1, with a much later onset. What has changed and how should parents respond? Dr. Katie J. McCoy sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to discuss rapid-onset gender dysphoria and...

The Bible is made up of 66 books, but each book fits seamlessly into the Great Story of the Scriptures. In her latest Bible studies, Kat Armstrong invites us to step back and look at the big picture by tracing themes. You'll never look at sticks, stones, mountains, or valleys the same way again! Find Kat Armstrong at https://www.katarmstrong.com/ . Order Kat's Bible Studies: https://www.katarmstro...

The Center for Change reports that young girls view between 400 and 600 images a day. The average woman has at least one "body-hatred" thought a day, and a recent survey shows that less than 2% of women worldwide would describe themselves as beautiful. Melissa Johnson, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Spiritual Director, and author of Soul Deep Beauty , sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Li...

The author of the Proverbs wrote that the fear of the Lord is both the beginning of wisdom and of knowledge. When the prophets of old saw the glory of the Lord, they fell on their face as though dead. Yet John wrote that "Perfect love casts out fear." So what does it mean to fear the Lord, and how do we balance that with God's grace? Listen in on this week's episode of Honestly, Though, as Rebecca...

Ten months ago, our sweet Liz went to a doctor's appointment that led to some frightening diagnoses and months of appointments. Now, sixty-five pounds lighter, she opens up about the psychological toll of losing weight and navigating people's well-intended (but often hurtful) reactions. If you enjoy the show, would you please consider rating and reviewing Honestly, Though ? Those reviews help othe...

Ten years ago, Kate Boyd left for the mission field and came face-to-face with Jesus. The problem was that he looked nothing like the picture of Jesus her church had painted. Now, after a long journey of deconstructing and reconstructing, Kate walks with the wounded, the wandering, and the doubters to help them rebuild their faith from the ground up. Find Kate's book, An Untidy Faith: Journeying B...

What would compel a midwestern girl to leave a life of comfort and ease to move to one of the world's most poverty-stricken areas? Jesus. Nicki Armand thought she was going to Chad, Africa, to visit some friends. Little did she know that the Lord had other plans. Join us on this week's episode as Nicki sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about life on the frontlines and how Go...

While the debate about women's roles in the church rages on, Dr. Nijay Gupta, Professor at Northern Seminary, sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to comb through some of the prominent women of the Bible to chat about how they served the Lord and what it means for the church today. Nijay Gupta (DPhil, University of Durham) has written several academic books including A Beginner’s Guid...

Over two-thirds of children report a traumatic event by the time they reach sixteen. What are the signs, and how can we help them? Dr. Jerry Lawrence of Dallas Theological Seminary sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss finding a way forward when your child has been traumatized. If you enjoy the show, would you please consider rating and reviewing Honestly, Though ? Those revi...

We live in a state of hyper-connected disconnect that never stops or slows down. This week on Honestly, Though, Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding sit down with Reverend Dr. Laura Murray to talk about play, hospitality, and the spiritual practice of slowness. Find Dr. Murray at https://laurabmurray.com/ Suggested Resources : The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again , Catherine Price. https://tiny...

Who were the Pharisees and what was their problem with Jesus? Were they really the "bad guys" or is there more to the story? Northern Seminary Professor Dr. Scot McKnight sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to discuss the world of the New Testament and what the Pharisees actually represented. Find out more about Dr. Scot McKnight and his books here: https://www.seminary.edu/faculty/s...

While many see Mother's Day as a cause for celebration, many others want to crawl under the covers and stay buried. Dr. Julie Shannon joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to share her journey of infertility and childlessness, and how God has ministered to her through her deepest pain. Dr. Julie Shannon equips individuals and communities to engage in practical compassion for the realities of lif...

Open AI released ChatGPT in November 2022 acknowledging that they had no idea what the implications could be. Elon Musk famously said, "With artificial intelligence, we're summoning the demon." Renowned scholar and theologian Dr. Darrell Bock of Dallas Theological Seminary sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about the technology's possibilities, and the psychological implicati...

Oftentimes, we view children's ministry as a launch pad for "real ministry," but Bible teacher and podcaster Patty Parker says nothing could be further from the truth. Children's ministry reaches kids during their most formative years. Patty sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to discuss simple ways to cultivate a love for Jesus and the Bible in children. Patty Parker writes with bri...

Over the past five years, devastating reports of abuse have surfaced within the institution millions of people trust the most—the Church. How does this happen and what can we do? Boz Tchividjian, Billy Graham's grandson, sits down with Nika Spaulding and Rebecca Carrell to talk about red flags and redemption. To reach Boz Tchividjian, go to to https://bozlawpa.com/ To purchase When Narcissism Come...

Imagine living in a place where gold is so common that it replaces concrete for streets. Or the most precious gems on earth are so accessible that they adorn the city gates. This is how Scripture describes the place where we'll spend eternity. On this episode of Honestly, Though, Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez. and Nika Spaulding discuss how our eternal destination should affect the way we live to...

Dr. Wayne Braudrick's son received a life-altering diagnosis at age nineteen. This week on Honestly, Though, he sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss navigating life with paranoid schizophrenia and God's faithfulness in the midst of chaos. Listen to Dr. Wayne Braudrick's teaching program, All the Difference, at https://allthedifference.us/ If you enjoy the show, would you ple...

Americans spent $49 Billion dollars last year—in the midst of a recession—on anti-aging products and cosmetic procedures. Scripture, however, describes old age as a gift and gray hair as a crown. Jen Wilkin sits down with Nika Spaulding and Rebecca Carrell to talk about a healthy posture toward aging and a deeper appreciation for the older generations. Find Jen Wilkin at: https://www.jenwilkin.net...

At the tender age of thirteen, Jessica Harris accidentally stumbled across pornography while researching for a school paper. That incident opened a rabbit hole from which Jessica would not emerge for nearly a decade. Today, she shares her freedom story and encourages strugglers to lean into Christ and community—our only hope of escaping shame. Find Jessica's books and blogs here: https://beggarsda...