Honey for Your Heart with Bryson Kessler

What happens when you've done everything you know to do… and you're still tired? In this season finale of Honey For Your Heart , we're sitting in that honest question together. After a season of walking through grief, waiting, gratitude, hidden growth, and staying under mercy, this episode brings us back to the simplest—and hardest—invitation of all: dependence on God. Because spiritual maturity i...

When Beth entered hospice, someone told her something that changed everything: "You are not preparing to die. You are preparing for your wedding."   That single reframe shifted fear into anticipation and loss into longing.   Because the Bible begins with a wedding in the garden…and ends with a wedding feast in eternity. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells one unified story — a love story —...

If you've been walking with us this season, you know we've been talking about what it means to live with an eternal mindset — especially in light of hard, holy, and life-altering seasons. In this episode, we take that conversation deeper.   What does it really mean to live with eternity in view… not just in our theology, but in our Tuesday afternoons? In our grief? In our shame? In our unanswered...

Some seasons feel intense. Others feel invisible. But all seasons require structure.   In this episode of Layered in Grace , we talk about the quiet, steady truth that sustains us through fire, irritation, waiting, and grief: Daily mercy is what holds us together.   Building on our earlier conversation about manna — and the reality that you can't live on old manna — this episode explores what it m...

This episode wasn't planned. It wasn't polished. It wasn't scheduled. It wasn't convenient.   And that's exactly the point.   After preparing to record several deeply personal episodes for the second half of Season 3, life pivoted unexpectedly. Sudden illness. A car accident involving my son. A morning that felt derailed before it even began. And in the middle of it all, one message became crystal...

There are seasons that feel loud — full of urgency, heat, and pressure. And then there are seasons that feel quiet. Hidden. Unseen. Slow.   In this episode of  Layered in Grace , we talk about invisible seasons — the kind where you are showing up, being faithful, doing the work… and yet nothing seems to be changing. Motherhood seasons where the days repeat. Waiting seasons where prayers feel unans...

Some seasons feel like sand. Others feel like fire.   In this episode of Layered in Grace , we talk about what happens when life turns up the heat — when the pressure is real, the grief is layered, and the questions feel heavy.   Using the image of pinecones that only open in fire, we explore this truth: Sometimes the heat isn't destroying you. It's unlocking something.   Drawing from: Daniel 3 (S...

We all know the phrase: "A grain of sand becomes a pearl." But we often miss how. When irritation enters an oyster, it cannot remove it. It cannot fix it. It cannot escape it.   So it begins to layer. Again. And again. And again.   In this episode, we begin the second half of Season 3 — Layered in Grace — by looking closely at what happens when God does not remove the irritant.   The diagnosis. Th...

In this episode, I share from a deeply personal place—walking through my sister Beth's final season and the question that has followed me through these days: Do I really trust God to be who He says He is—even here?   Anchored in the story of manna from the wilderness, this episode explores what it looks like to rely on God's daily provision , not yesterday's strength, yesterday's faith, or yesterd...

If heaven is our ultimate hope, why does today still matter so much?   In this episode, Bryson reflects on how walking closely with loss has reshaped the way she sees everyday life. After losing her sister Beth, eternity stopped feeling like a distant concept and began informing how she lives, chooses, suffers, and hopes—right here and now.   This conversation begins with a sacred reflection from...

Gratitude has been one of the most healing and transformational practices of my life.   In this episode, we talk about why gratitude isn't just a nice idea or positive mindset—but a biblical discipline that has the power to reshape our hearts, our thinking, and our intimacy with the Lord, especially in hard seasons.   Before diving in, I share a special moment from Season 2—Beth's own words on gra...

Waiting often feels like doing nothing — but Scripture tells us a very different story.   In this episode, Bryson invites us into one of the most formative seasons of her life: the long, sacred waiting during her sister Beth's time in hospice. Beginning with words written in real time from a CaringBridge post, Bryson reflects on the strange tension of waiting — when hours pass in a blink, but days...

This season marks a new beginning—one shaped by grief, surrender, and the deep work God does in places we never would have chosen, but where He so often meets us most faithfully. In this opening episode, Bryson shares why this season of the podcast will look different than the first two. After walking with her sister Beth through nine years of cancer and her final hospice days, Bryson stepped away...

I am so thrilled to introduce you to Kari Kampakis today! Kari is a best selling author and speaker focusing on very practical and godly tips for primarily teens (but other stages as well) and wisdom for parenting through all stages of childhood. I discovered her books about 4 years ago at a time when I was newly parenting teens and felt very lost in how to navigate that season well. A friend gave...

At the core, this podcast is rooted in storytelling. Typically, we would walk through the story of a guest and encounter the Lord and His redemptive work through the lens of that particular story. But on this episode, we change that up a bit. Today, I want to invite you to intentionally step into your own story armed with the knowledge you obtain as you listen to this episode. Let me explain what...

Do you find yourself feeling "stuck" in the hard seasons of life? Maybe you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, confused, alone or simply not sure how to survive one more day in the space you find yourself today. If I am describing you, know that you are not alone and in God's grace and kindness, He has a special word, especially for you today.   My guest today is Lauren Fortenberry. Lauren is a writer a...

If you find yourself struggling with anxiety, burnout and insecurity, especially as it relates to the comparison game that is so prevalent on social media today, this episode is one you do not want to miss!   My guest today is Whitney Lowe. Whitney is a Christian influencer who wants to see young women excited about God's work: in the Bible, in history, in the world, and in them. She writes and cr...

My guest today is someone that I've followed on social media and watched her inspiring story unfold for several years. Last year, I had the privilege to meet her at a conference and hear a bit more of that story but also see her authenticity and vulnerability first hand.   Tara Austin is the founder and CEO of Ruthie Grace, a women's clothing boutique empire. She has a storefront in Montgomery, TX...

We hear the word "intentional" a lot these days and we are encouraged to live with intentionality. But we live in a world full of distractions and responsibilities that seem to choke out the ability to really choose how we live versus letting our lives dictate for us. I know that is a constant struggle for me and I find myself longing for simplicity. If that is you as well, today's episode is one...

My guest today is a special friend who is sharing her story for the first time publicly. If life has ever thrown you very unexpected and painful curve ball that changed the trajectory of your future in ways you could have never imagined, this episode is for you.   Harleigh Portante is a beautiful friend who is also one of our models at Clover + Bee. She is a former Miss Teen Alabama and Miss Alaba...

Today's episode is a special one both for me personally and for the month we are in. As most of you know, October is breast cancer awareness month and as we wrap up October, I'm so grateful for the opportunity to introduce you to my sweet friend Lexie Appleby who is a breast cancer survivor and advocate. Breast cancer has touched my life as my mom was diagnosed with it in October of my junior year...

I am so very grateful you are joining us today. Like Season One and Two, this season is full of broken and beautiful stories that will encourage, challenge and inspire you. As you listen, you will be encouraged by God's unfailing faithfulness. He does what He says He will do. He is a promise keeper who NEVER forsakes - even when we doubt Him. You will be reminded that you are NEVER alone in your s...

Today is the finale in our Men of May series and we are ending with another fantastic episode! I have really enjoyed this mini series and I pray you have too! I hope you have found it encouraging, uplifting and a nice way to change things up a bit on Honey For Your Heart!   If you are a regular listener, you most likely heard Melody Hemphill's beautiful story of brokenness and redemption a few mon...

We are continuing our special mini series titled Men of May: Stories of Women's Impact and Inspiration where we are hearing the incredible stories of men God is using in powerful ways for the kingdom, but also looking through their eyes at the women He has surrounded them with who serve alongside them in ministry.   Today, I am joined by Micah McElveen. Micah's story is extraordinary.   A surfing...

We are in the middle of our Men of May Series where we are highlighting and honoring the inspirational influence of some extraordinary women as we look at their lives through the lens of the men they have impacted.   Today, I am joined by my friend Josh Orr. Josh is an entrepreneur and a podcast host. He is the founder of Capital Commerce and is also one of the hosts of the annual Manifest Confere...