That's Just What I Needed Podcast

I think so many of us know Jesus has forgiven us, but we still live like we're carrying chains. In this episode, I want to remind you that Christ didn't simply make your life better. He set you free. Together, we'll look at what Scripture says about the freedom Jesus purchased for us and why so many of us still struggle with shame, fear, comparison, regret, and people-pleasing. My prayer is that y...

Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling manipulated or wondered if you've unknowingly done the same? I know I have. In this episode, we're taking an honest look at what manipulation really is, why even well-meaning people fall into it, and how fear, pride, impatience, and unmet needs can quietly shape the way we relate to others. I'll share practical ways to recognize unhealthy patte...

If you've ever experienced a loss that changed everything, this conversation is for you. Grief comes in many forms–loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a relationship, or simply loss of life as we want it to be–these things affect us. Deeply.   In times like this we need help for our wounded hearts.  Author, Lisa Appelo, knows this all too well. Lisa shares her powerfu...

Every summer, I find myself hoping this will be the season I feel more rested, more connected, and more present. But too often, Labor Day arrives, and I wonder where the time went. In this episode, I'm sharing five practical ways to make this summer one you'll truly enjoy, not because it's packed with activities, but because it's filled with what matters most. We'll talk about caring for your body...

Heartbreak is something we all experience, whether it's a devastating loss, a painful disappointment, or a season we never saw coming. In this conversation with author and podcaster,  Jodi Snowden , we talk about what it really looks like to heal, grow, and deepen your faith when life hurts. Jodi shares the powerful framework God gave her after walking through miscarriage, divorce, and the lo...

If you’ve ever struggled to balance the demands of everyday life with an eternal perspective, this conversation is for you. If you’re a believer you know heaven is real. You probably even know you should thInk about living in light of eternal life. But how?   If you’ve ever struggled to balance the demands of everyday life with an eternal perspective, this conversation is fo...

Friend, we’ve  all experienced hurt, therefore we all have places in our lives that need healing. Sometimes the hurt is obvious, and sometimes it shows up in the way we react, avoid, shut down, or try to pretend we’re fine. In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Willow Weston , author of Collide: Running into Healing When Life Hands You Hurt. Willow shares her own stor...

  Did you know that 50% of us have a family member or friend who has some kind of criminal record? It’s the unspoken secret not many of us know how to negotiate–largely because of the shame, confusion, and hurt that goes along with it.  What happens to the families left behind when someone goes to prison? In this eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Heather Rice-Minus, C...

Have you ever wondered why the Christian life can feel so exhausting sometimes? In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story that completely changed how I understood the Holy Spirit and the way He works in our lives. We’ll talk about who the Holy Spirit is, what He actually does, and how He helps us live the Christian life—not by trying harder, but by walking more closely with G...

Hey friend, if you’ve ever wondered if you’re doing enough as a mom or grandmother, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the truth about motherhood—the pressure, the insecurity, and the quiet, unseen work that actually matters most. Together, we’ll let go of perfection and refocus on what our kids truly need: love, presence, and consistency. I’ll walk you throug...

Have you ever wondered if you’re truly following Jesus or just doing all the “right” things? In this conversation, I sit down with Natalia Drumm to talk about what discipleship really looks like in everyday life. Not performance. Not checking boxes. But actually walking with Jesus. We talk about why community alone isn’t enough, how to know if you’re growing spiritual...

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I catch myself making life harder than it needs to be, and I don’t even realize I’m doing it. In this episode, I walk through some very real, everyday habits that quietly add stress, overwhelm, and heaviness to our lives. The good news? We can change them. I’ll show you simple, practical shifts, grounded in truth, that help you move fro...

I wanted to sit down and talk with you like a friend today, because relationships can be the very best part of our lives… or the hardest. In this episode, I share what I’ve been teaching at my church about why unity matters so much—and how to actually experience it. We talk about the one attitude that changes everything (and it’s not what most people expect), how to handle...

If you’re walking through something heavy right now—grief, disappointment, or just a season that feels hard—this conversation is for you.  Today, I’m talking with Kirby Kelly about what it really looks like to hold onto hope when life doesn’t make sense. We dive into the power of lament, why your emotions matter to God, and how to anchor your hope in something de...

Hey friend, If you’ve ever wondered how to teach your kids about God in a way that actually sticks, this episode is for you.  On today’s episode, I sit down with Amanda K. Jass about how to make faith simple, engaging, and meaningful for kids without it feeling like a checklist.  We dive into:   Why your story matters  How to have deeper conversations with your...

In this episode, I talk with Cara Shine about her powerful journey from growing up Jewish with painful misconceptions about Christians to encountering the love of Jesus through the quiet faithfulness of two “ good Christians ” at her school. During the terrifying DC sniper attacks, one hallway prayer changed everything .  Cara shares how kindness, presence, and Scripture softened...

In this episode, I talk with Gem Fadling, co-founder of Unhurried Living, about cultivating a deeper relationship with Jesus in the middle of a busy, distracted world. This conversation opened my heart and challenged me in the best possible way!  Instead of striving to produce spiritual “fruit,” Gem explains that Jesus invites us to simply remain connected to Him, as a branch to t...

Have you ever heard something about the Bible your whole life… only to find out it may not actually be what Scripture says? Friend, today’s episode is unlike anything we’ve ever done before. I’m joined by Amanda Hope Haley — a Harvard-trained biblical archaeologist ( yes, you read that right!) — and our conversation will stretch your thinking in the very best w...

When you reach that quiet moment where you think,  I don’t know if I can keep doing this, you’re not alone. In this episode, I talk honestly about soul-level exhaustion, the temptation to choose comfort over commitment, and why endurance is essential to spiritual maturity.  Through Elijah’s story in 1 Kings, we see that God meets us not with condemnation, but with rest,...

Hey Friend! In this candid and inspiring conversation, I sit down with actor, filmmaker, and author Nathan Clarkson to discuss brokenness, humility, and the surprising freedom that comes from admitting our faults. Nathan shares the heart behind his new book, The Worst: How Freedom Is Found in Admitting Our Faults , and opens up about his personal journey of confronting pride, perfectionism, and hi...

In this powerful and hope-filled episode, I sit down with author and speaker  Becky Keife to discuss something many women quietly carry every day: anxiety. Becky shares from personal experience how anxiety, while painful, became the very thing God used to draw her closer to Him and deepen her faith. Together, we explore the difference between shame and honesty, the importance of community, an...

Have you ever had one of those moments when you look back and think, " How did I miss that? "  In this episode, I sit down with author and podcaster Cynthia Yanof for a conversation that is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply spiritual. Through real-life stories — from gas pump mishaps to everyday awkward encounters — Cynthia reminds us that God is often at work in the sm...

So much of how we live—how we feel, how we respond, and even how we make decisions—is shaped by how we see ourselves.  And if we're  honest, most of us don’t stop very often to ask where that identity is actually coming from. Is it coming from how busy I feel, how overwhelmed I am, the roles I carry, or whether I feel like I’m doing enough… or failing again...

Have you ever listened to someone pray and thought,  Well… I’ll never sound like that ?  In this encouraging, laugh-a-little-and-breathe-a-lot conversation, I sit down with author and speaker Shellie Tomlinson to talk about the comparison trap in prayer—and how to get free from it. Shellie shares why God isn’t looking for “perfect prayers” or spiritua...

Have you ever looked up and thought,  Where is my life going… and am I even living it? In today’s episode, I’m kicking off the new year with a powerful reminder: you can be busy and still be disconnected—from your purpose, your people, and even from God.  Through the lens of scripture, we’ll identify what matters most when the noise dies down.  If you...