Honestly, Though

If you grew up in Sunday School, chances are you learned the Ten Commandments at an early age. "Though shalt not steal, thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain." But what does it mean to "take God's name in vain?" And what if God had more in mind that using his name as a curse? Join Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding as they sit down with Dr. Carmen Imes, Professor of Ol...

Chrissy and Scott Crowder never set out to do "Great Things for God." They had a normal life in a normal suburb working normal jobs, until God turned their world upside down five years ago. Now, they foster three kids (in addition to their three biological sons), and Chrissy advocates for poverty-awareness and family reunification. Join Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding as they sit down for a raw...

Boys are four times as likely to receive a spectrum diagnosis, but recent data suggests this may be because girls are better at masking and mimicking—coping skills that help function in a neurotypical world. Lauren Cuddihee, who received a neurodivergent diagnosis in her thirties, sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to discuss her spectrum disorder and why she considers it a good and...

Sherene and her husband Joe met and married through an arrangement made by their parents. In this heartwarming and enlightening episode of Honestly, Though, Sherene sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to share what she has learned about God through her arranged marriage. The chat about learning to love someone, love as an action instead of a feeling, and the true meaning of covenant....

Christina Oleksyuk had fifteen minutes to pack a bag and flee Ukraine before bombs started to drop in Kyiv. She sits down to chat with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding about displacement, refugees, and how the American Church can help. You can assist churches in Ukraine right now by donating to Reach Out Youth Solutions at: https://reachout.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate . Just select "Ukraine" on...

Ally Kucera serves on the front lines in the war against sex trafficking and pornography, especially where it concerns young children. Predators no longer troll parks or drive through neighborhoods in window-less white vans. Rather, they stalk your children through social media on smart phones. Join Rebecca Carrell, Nika Spaulding, and Assistant District Attorney Ally Kucera as they go inside a re...

Psychologists and counselors tell us that depression and anxiety, in kids and adults alike, have skyrocketed over the past two and a half years. Speaker, author, and licensed professional counselor Michelle Nietert sits down with Rebecca and Nika to share a powerful truth: We can control our thoughts. We can choose what we think about and don't think about. Listen in for a helpful and hopeful conv...

Amanda Cunningham spent years on the runway and in front of the camera, but at the end of the day, it left her weary and empty. On this episode of Honestly, Though, Amanda sits down with Rebecca and Nika to discuss God's better plan for our bodies. If you enjoy the Honestly, Though podcast will you please rate, subscribe, and share it with your friends? And you can connect with Rebecca and Liz, to...

Our faithful listeners have noticed the absence of Liz Rodriguez over the past few weeks. Where has she been and what is she doing? Rebecca and Liz sit down for an honest conversation about knowing our limits, holding our boundaries, and listening for the Lord's direction. If you enjoy the Honestly, Though podcast will you please rate, subscribe, and share it with your friends? And you can connect...

Karen Cook graduated from Auburn University in 1998 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Zoology and earned her Master’s in Neuroscience from Florida State in 2001. Karen’s research involved studying the proteins responsible for conducting electricity in the brain. She went on to work at Pfizer discovering potential new drugs for psychiatric diseases. It all came crashing down when she was diagnosed wi...

What does "Transgender" really mean? What is the difference between sexual orientation, sexual identity, and gender identity? And how should parents respond if their child identifies as a gender that differs from their biology? On this week's episode of Honestly, Though, ordained minister and licensed psychologist Dr. Gary Barnes and Director of Women's Discipleship Director (Christ Community Chur...

As the daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham, little Ruth grew up the daughter of the world's most famous evangelist. She longed for her father to be home and more present in her life. Ruth sat down with Rebecca Carrell for a candid conversation about her brokenness and her journey to forgiveness. You can read more about Ruth's story in her latest book, Forgiving My Father; Forgiving Myself. Find Ruth...

Three months after their wedding, Jim and Alicia Barnard's world came crashing down as her health deteriorated minute-by-minute. After months of frustration and misdiagnoses, a doctor diagnosed Alicia with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that ravaged her colon and digestive system. Jim sits down with Rebecca and Liz to talk about the "expectation gap," and how to navigate life...

Wayne Reid had just come home from Colorado where he, his wife Natalie, and their three boys had enjoyed an outdoor vacation of hiking and whitewater rafting. It was the last vacation they would take as a family. Natalie arrived home from work two days later to find Wayne collapsed on their bathroom floor from a massive heart attack. As she navigated the grief journey, the Lord put a vision on her...

Patriarchal structures oppress women, but they hurt men, too. Carolyn Custis James, known for her work on Ruth and her book, Half the Church: Recapturing God's Global Vision for Women, joins us on this episode of Honestly, Though to talk about the ongoing problem with patriarchy and a better way forward. If you enjoy the Honestly, Though podcast will you please rate, subscribe, and share with your...

All of us, at one time or another, have felt misunderstood—a problem as old as time. On this episode of Honestly, Though, author, speaker, and Bible teacher Mary DeMuth sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss some of the most misunderstood women in the Bible (the title of her latest book), and what they can teach us today. To receive Mary's free gift, click HERE. To read more a...

Nearly 100,000 people die per year from drug overdoses, and opioid overdoses make up over 70 percent of cases. Dr. James Reid III and his wife never dreamed that their son would become one of those statistics. Now, James is sharing his son, Jimmy's story to raise awareness of the danger of opioids and to offer hope to those struggling in the throes of addiction. Find Dr. Reid's book, Addiction and...

We all go through spiritual dry spells—those times when God feels distant and prayers seem to go unanswered. Join us this week as our own Liz Rodriguez opens up about her most recent wilderness season. You'll walk away refreshed as we remember that the God who did not leave Israel in the desert is the same God who promised never to leave us. If you enjoy the Honestly, Though podcast will you pleas...

What do you do when the life you have is not the life you long for? Author, Bible teacher and theologian Elizabeth Woodson sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about navigating disappointment and delighting in the life God's given you. Find Elizabeth Woodson here: https://www.elizabethwoodson.org/ Find Elizabeth's book, Embrace Your Life: How to Find Joy When the Life You Have...

Their marriage spiraled to the point that she prayed that her husband would die. Jessica Wall joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to show how God breathed life into a marriage full of deceit, despair, and desperation. If you enjoy the Honestly, Though podcast will you please rate, subscribe, and share with your friends? And you can connect with Rebecca and Liz, too! See the links below: Websit...

The vast majority of sex trafficking in the United States happens through social media in the suburbs. In fact, most victims are trafficked by someone they "think" they know—someone who promises them a better life and a way out. Abby Germer, Executive Director of the North Texas Refuge For Women, joins Rebecca and Liz on this episode of Honestly, Though to highlight their work in rehabbing victims...

Perhaps one of the great myths we've believed is that it's possible to "forgive and forget." When we've suffered egregious wrongs, forgiveness takes time. When we're the offender, self-forgiveness can be especially elusive. Fan-favorite Nika Spaulding sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez for an honest conversation on the process of forgiveness and the things that trip us up. Find Nika...

Perhaps you've heard these words: "A woman's highest calling is in the home raising her children and managing the household." But what does that mean for single women, or women unable to bear children? Author and Dallas Theological Seminary Professor Dr. Sandra Glahn joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about worth, purpose, and calling, and why it's so important to have different men,...

Perhaps one of the reasons we don't celebrate as often as we should is because we tie the act of celebrating to circumstances. But what if we're missing the most important piece? What if we can celebrate in times of joy and times of tears? Nicole Zasowski sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod to reframe the way we look at celebrating. Find more information about Nicole at https://w...

Millions of Americans wrestle with food and weight. Could there be a spiritual element that we've overlooked? Bestselling author Amber Lia joins Rebecca and Liz to talk about finding God and facing food triggers. For more information on Amber Lia, visit http://amberlia.com/ If you enjoy the Honestly, Though podcast will you please rate, subscribe, and share with your friends? And you can connect w...