Lighten Up with Hannah Crews

Anna Sutton, one of the co-host of The Catholic Everywoman Podcast, joins us to explore one of the most debated questions in modern Christianity: what is the role of women in the Church?🤔 Anna shares her personal journey from a non-denominational evangelical upbringing to Catholicism, explaining how her conversion shaped her understanding of Scripture, the sacraments, Mary, and the papacy. We dis...

So many people have reached out to me to ask, “what made you consider Catholicism in the first place?” So, here we go… In this deeply personal episode, I’m sharing the timeline of events that made me start questioning EVERYTHING. What began with questions surrounding false 2020 election prophecies, accountability within modern Christianity, and Charlie Kirk’s devastating assassination ultimately l...

Keith Nester, a Catholic author, speaker, and podcaster, shares his journey from anti-Catholic Evangelical pastor to full-time spokesperson and educator for the Catholic Faith through his ministry, Down to Earth.  This episode tackles head-on common misconceptions that keep many from embracing church unity including papal authority, human infallibility, Mary’s Immaculate Conception and perpetual v...

Justin Hibbard, the host of the Why Catholic Podcast, is a Catholic apologist passionate about connecting believers with the roots of the faith established by the apostles. Today he’s sharing with us his eye-opening journey from reformed Protestant pastor to fully embracing the Catholic Church’s ancient roots.  Justin’s incredible testimony reminds us… even though we may have a lot to lose - relat...

No, I’m not Catholic... BUT I had to make this video to share what I’ve observed and learned so far. In American Protestant churches, I had never really been taught about church history prior to the reformation. After doing a deep dive for myself, I realized - I know too much now. And I can’t go back to what I didn’t know. What a rich, beautiful, exciting, sometimes lonely journey this has been -...

From Seventh day adventist, to atheist, to non-denominational, to finally finding her home in the Catholic Church - Aubrey's story is a powerful testament to how truth can reshape your entire faith journey. She shares how going through the catechumenate stages of OCIA to DEBUNK Catholic doctrines led her to discover the beauty and depth of the Church. Aubrey’s journey highlights that faith questio...

Here is a list of my top 10 must-read books that transformed my understanding of church history and the early Christian beliefs. Whether you're skeptical, curious, or seeking to deepen your faith, these books provide the tools, stories, and frameworks to see original Christianity (Catholicism) in its authentic biblical and historical context! ALSO - isn’t my shirt cute?! It’s from Santa Cruz - Ele...

Throughout my journey of researching the Catholic faith I’ve been particularly captivated by conversion stories. This week I have the pleasure of sitting down with Brian Tran, a.k.a. “Catholic Brian” - a former Protestant missionary who served in some of the world's most persecuted regions, now dedicated to sharing the Catholic faith through social media! His testimony reveals how deep study, divi...

If you've ever been curious or intimidated by Catholic traditions, then consider this episode your official “Mass Survival Guide!” My family and I have been exclusively attending Catholic Mass now for several months and we absolutely love it - including my kids! We’ve experienced Mass not as super “boring” (as some might describe it), but as a powerful act of worship focused entirely on Jesus and...

Welcome back to another episode of questioning everything I’ve ever known LOL  In this episode, I am joined by Emily Dinneny, a Catholic content creator, apologist, and researcher, known for her work with Catholic Answers and her mission to bring clarity to misunderstood doctrines. Emily, a former evangelical, shares her jaw-dropping journey from questioning the faith to embracing the fullness of...

Over the past 7 months I’ve gone from a devout Protestant to a deep-dive investigator of early Christianity’s true origins. What I found REVOLUTIONIZED my understanding of faith. Which is why things are going to start looking a little bit differently around here… Welcome to a brand new Lighten Up series, WHAT’S UP WITH THIS CATHOLIC THING?! In this first episode, I’ll walk you through the question...

Are we really doing enough to protect our kids? Most parents don’t realize how close predators are and how easy it is for them to slip through the cracks. In this episode today Alex Rosen dives into the truth behind catching child predators that most of us never see. When you hear how he and his team, Predator Poachers, identify and confront these sick individuals (sometimes in direct face-to-face...

Have you ever stopped to consider… just what is a church?? The reality that we are living in where faith meets finance begs this question. And exactly how much do monetary systems influence religious institutions? In his documentary “The Religion Business”, Nathan Apffel investigates these secrets and seeks accountability for nonprofit organizations.  Now, on the verge of a second season of The Re...

This trend of church scandals being covered up by pastors more concerned with protecting their reputation rather than protecting their people is DEEPLY disturbing…  In this episode of the Lighten Up Podcast we are sitting down with Kayleigh Kozak, a victim of sexual abuse dedicated to exposing evil and protecting other victims through legislation known as “Kayleigh’s Law.” Kayleigh shares her pers...

Have you ever wondered why so much news feels like propaganda? 🧐 I’ve seen FIRSTHAND how big media controls the narrative — and it’s sickening. But there's a silver lining: independent journalism is booming, giving us real truth and freedom to speak!! Today we are sitting down with Ivory Hecker, an independent journalist and news analyst who spent nine years as a TV news reporter and anchor. In 2...

Today my husband, Blaine Crews, is joining us on the Lighten Up Podcast to discuss our somewhat unconventional marriage filled with ups and downs, beauty and trauma, and the undeniable presence of God throughout.  On top of sharing our love story, we will share the tough stuff too. A sexually deviant youth pastor who stole my virginity at 17 years old, fighting for our lives in court after being s...

The Lighten Up Podcast Patreon 💍WHERE ARE ALL MY SINGLE LADIES AT??! This episode is for YOU!!!  In today’s fast-paced world, being single can often feel like an endless waiting game. Many women find themselves caught in a cycle of longing and comparison, waiting for a partner while trying to navigate their own journey. In this episode we are sitting down with the lovely Christian Bevere today to...

Guys, get ready to meet a remarkable woman with a remarkable testimony! Rose Ramandi sat down with me to talk about her personal encounters with Jesus. THAT’S RIGHT. encounterS, PLURAL.  Rose's journey from being a Muslim in Iran to discovering faith in Jesus Christ is truly inspiring! In our conversation, she opens up about her struggles with identity, despair, and suicidal thoughts, and how a be...

GOODBYE 2025, HELLO 2026 🪩✨ First of all, I just want to say THANK YOU all so much for joining me on this new journey with Lighten Up! It has been such a blast connecting with y’all in this new way, and I hope you have been loving it as much as I have 💕 Rather than beating ourselves up about what we didn’t get around to in 2025, or obsessing over the laundry list of resolutions to accomplish in...

Welcome back to The Lighten Up Podcast, y’all! You guys, we have a very special episode for you this week! My mamma, Starla✨, has joined us to share her powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness through her divorce. Life isn’t always all sunshine and rainbows, and finding joy and trusting God during seasons of heartbreak is easier said than done. However, navigating relationships and marriage with...

Put on your tin foil hats, people! We’re diving into some conspiracy theories in this episode of Lighten Up 🛸 Is the earth flat? Is Brigitte Macron a man? Did we really land on the moon? Do you ever feel overwhelmed with all the misinformation out there? Or angry at the thought of being lied to by people in power? Well, guess what. Those feelings are totally normal and they’re part of our human n...

Welcome back to The Lighten Up Podcast, friends! How many homeschool moms do we have out there?!! 🙋🏼‍♀️ In this episode we are going to dive into my experience in the world of homeschooling so far! Let’s be honest, homeschooling sounds pretty scary especially if you have a tendency to lose your patience sometimes, like me 🤪 But luckily we live in a time where we no longer have to sacrifice our...

In a world filled with social media comparisons and the pressures of daily life, walking in confidence can feel like an uphill battle. Yet, understanding our identity in Christ and fostering a sense of self-worth can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. Confidence is a crucial aspect of our lives, especially for women navigating today's complex society. In today's episode, we look...

Drum roll, please!! 🥁🥁🥁 Welcome to Lighten Up, people!! I'm your host Hannah Crews and I'm so excited to introduce this new podcast to you! On Lighten Up we are cultivating a unique blend of faith and fun, and choosing to focus on the importance of joy and confidence in navigating life's challenges. In this episode, I'll share a little bit about my personal journey and the motivation behind sta...

Hey there, friends! Fasten your seatbelts! In this episode of Lighten Up, I'm sharing my personal testimony of how God used overwhelming challenges in my life to make me the woman, wife, mother, and daughter I am today. We’ll be taking a deep dive into my life so far and I'll be reflecting on my childhood experiences growing up in a Christian family, attacks from the enemy, and the incredible powe...