Starting Place with Elizabeth Woodson

In this episode, Elizabeth shares an exciting announcement about a new collection of conversations she’s recorded with her friend Yana Jenay Conner. Together, they are going to dive into conversations about the chaos and disconnection shaping our world today. Covering topics like friendship, forgiveness, and the culture, they will explore how a theology of shalom transforms helps us experience God...

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Oghosa Iyamu to talk about a current trend that is making discipleship difficult – Consumeristic Christianity. They discuss how attraction-driven ministry shapes our discipleship, why it can stunt our spiritual growth, and how sound theology and community can help believers engage God’s vision for the local church, discipleship, and mission more deeply.  M...

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Ruth Chou Simons to talk about what it means to live unhurried in a world that constantly demands more. Together they wrestle with the pressures women face to produce and perform, how the gospel offers true rest, and why God’s creation points us back to His faithful care. Ruth also shares how art, creativity, and slowing down have shaped her own walk with...

Disappointment is one of those universal experiences, we all face moments where life doesn’t turn out the way we hoped. In this episode of Starting Place, Elizabeth unpacks how Christians can navigate disappointment without getting stuck in bitterness or despair. From unmet expectations in relationships or career, to deep struggles in ministry, we learn how lament gives us language to bring our gr...

In this episode, Elizabeth talks with spoken word poet and author Hosanna Wong about identity, self-worth, and freedom from shame. Hosanna shares her journey of battling insecurity and learning to believe God’s truth over cultural lies. Together they explore how the church can address shame with compassion and how discipleship often happens through simple, everyday conversations that point us back...

So many of us carry misplaced ideas about God—that He doesn’t really love us, care for us, or that He’s constantly disappointed. But what if the truth is far more beautiful? In this episode of Starting Place, Elizabeth is joined by Kyle Worley—pastor, author, and cofounder of Training the Church—to explore the deep theological truth that we have a true home with God through union with Christ. Eliz...

How should Christians engage civically in a way that reflects their faith, brings hope, and points people to Jesus? In this conversation, Elizabeth talks with Justin Giboney about why our public witness matters more than ever. Together, they explore how believers can navigate current poltical tensions without losing sight of their primary identity in Christ. Drawing from the lessons of the civil r...

In this episode, Elizabeth Woodson sits down with author and speaker Blair Linne to talk about what it means to wrestle with anxiety from a faith-filled perspective. Blair opens up about her own journey, the misconceptions she’s encountered within the church, and the hope Scripture offers for those who struggle. Together, they explore how both spiritual and practical support can help us move towar...

We’re back! In this season opener, Elizabeth shares a personal update on what God has been teaching her in a season of rest, family time, and new projects—including a Names of God study. She reflects on the importance of slowing down and being intentional with what matters, rooting yourself in the voice of God more than the voice of other people.  Season 6 will focus on Real Life Discipleship, exp...

In this final episode of the Church Mother series, Elizabeth and Yana explore the story of Dorcas from Acts 9, emphasizing her impact on her community through acts of service and faithfulness. The conversation highlights the journey of transformation that occurs in both the disciple and the one being discipled, and the joy found in serving others. They end by encouraging listeners to take the firs...

Elizabeth talks with Susan Seay about the real challenges of motherhood today—from social media pressure to unrealistic expectations. Susan shares wisdom from raising seven kids, reminding moms to depend on God daily, pursue authentic community, and embrace grace over perfection. She also introduces her new devotional designed to help moms connect with God in the middle of a busy life. Main Topics...

What does it look like to live wisely when you’re surrounded by foolishness, anger, or drama you didn’t create? In this episode, we turn to Abigail—a woman whose wisdom calmed a crisis and redirected the futures of two powerful men. Her story in 1 Samuel 25 shows us how godly wisdom protects, preserves, and points us back to the Lord. Main Topics:  Wisdom acts with discernment in moments of tensio...

In this episode, Melody Fabien shares her powerful love story and the spiritual journey that led her and her husband CD into marriage ministry. She offers wisdom on what makes marriages last—emphasizing communication, vulnerability, and the reality of spiritual warfare. Melody also speaks to dating couples about red flags, non-negotiables, and the importance of personal growth, accountability, and...

In this episode, Missie Branch joins Elizabeth to share about her journey from working in a flower shop to serving as assistant dean of students for women at a seminary. They explore what true leadership looks like, highlighting the role of mentorship, community, and faithfulness in small things. They also discuss the challenges leaders face, the importance of trusting God, and how every experienc...

In this episode, I talk with Cheryl Luke about what it looks like to walk with God through seasons of deep pain. Cheryl opens up about her journey during 2020—a year that tested her faith and relationships—and how she stayed anchored to truth. We talk about spiritual formation, navigating hurt in community, and learning how to stay with God when life gets hard. This conversation is rich, honest, a...

In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Jill Barlow about how intentionality builds meaningful relationships and how community shapes spiritual growth. Jill shares honest reflections on starting over, facing disappointment, and finding hope when connection feels hard—reminding us that community can be a place of deep transformation. Main Takeaways: Community requires intentionality, courage, and the...

In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Bible teachers and ministry leaders Courtney Doctor and Hunter Beless about what long-term discipleship looks like in real life. From friendship and mentoring to challenges and biblical wisdom, this conversation is full of insight for anyone wanting to stay faithful in making disciples. Main Takeaways: How Courtney and Hunter’s friendship and mentoring relatio...

In this episode, we continue our Church Mothers series by reflecting on the life of Hannah, a woman who teaches us how to wait well, stay rooted in prayer, and trust God in seasons of longing. Main Takeaways: Hannah didn’t run from her pain—she took it to the Lord. Every believer will face a season of waiting. The question is not if you will wait, but how well you will wait. Human solutions may of...

In today’s episode, we continue our Church Mothers series by learning from a bold and often overlooked woman in Scripture: Huldah. Though her story is short, her courage, clarity, and closeness to God offer deep wisdom for anyone trying to walk in faith—especially when it’s costly. Main Takeaways: Faithfulness requires courage: Huldah didn’t hesitate to speak God’s truth, even when it wasn’t popul...

In this episode of Starting Place, we’re kicking off a new series inspired by a conversation about the need for church mothers—women who intentionally invest in the next generation of believers. We explore what it means to leave a spiritual legacy, looking at the lives of Lois and Eunice, the mother and grandmother of Timothy, and how their sincere faith influenced his own. This conversation chall...

In this episode, we’re exploring one of the most pervasive ways we forget the gospel. Specifically, we forget the cost, which is surrender. We often sing about surrender, but if we're honest, we tend to surrender some rather than all. But abundant life only comes through surrendering our lives fully to Jesus. Main Takeaways: We are being formed. The culture is shaping us to prioritize ease and com...

In this episode, we explore how insecurity and shame reveal our tendency to forget the gospel. Looking at the story of Mary Magdalene, we see how the power of Christ transforms our past, freeing us from shame and equipping us to walk boldly in our new identity. If you’ve ever struggled with feelings of unworthiness or fear that your past defines you, this episode will remind you of the truth: you...

We explore how boredom in the mundane moments of life can lead to spiritual forgetfulness. When our daily routines feel repetitive, we may struggle to see their significance in God's greater plan. But what if every moment—no matter how ordinary—was an opportunity to dwell with God and live on mission? We’ll discuss how the gospel reframes our perspective, helping us embrace faithfulness in the sma...

In this episode, we are featuring an interview Elizabeth did on the Culture Matters podcast with Adam Hawkins and Tymarcus Ragland, sharing about the heart behind her new study, Live Free. Elizabeth discusses how Paul's message remains relevant today, addressing the timeless challenges of being right with God and experiencing true freedom from sin. Recommended Resources : Learn more about Elizabet...

In this episode, we explore how gospel forgetfulness can show up in our faith. While we often say we live by faith and not by sight, in reality, we can struggle to trust God when we lack control or certainty. We discuss the common reasons we resist stepping out in faith—our desire for control, fear of failure, and the cost of obedience. Using biblical examples like Abraham and Peter, we see both t...