That's Just What I Needed Podcast

We all deal with fear on some level. Some fears feel overwhelming (Will I /we/they be ok?) and some less so, but what if fear didn’t get the final say? In today’s episode, we’re tackling fear—not by pretending it doesn’t exist, but by learning how to face it with unshakable faith. You’ll hear how biblical heroes moved forward with fear and still fulfilled God&rs...

No one likes hardship. No one.    However, the great hope for the believer is that our hardest moments can become the backdrop for our deepest faith. In today’s episode, I’m joined by author, speaker, and fellow podcaster, Jennifer Slattery , who shares how God met her in the middle of poverty, instability, confusion, and heartbreak—and changed everything.   ...

What if your marriage had a game plan as intentional as a football team’s playbook? This week, I’m joined by  George and Tondra Gregory , chaplains to the LA Chargers and seasoned marriage coaches, who share practical tools from their book The Marriage Game Plan .  Whether you're newlyweds or decades in, you’ll find real-life strategies to strengthen your connection, ce...

What if reading the Bible felt less like a chore and more like a conversation with God? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Zach Windahl , author of  The Bible Simplified. His passion for Scripture was shaped after he fell away from his faith while attending a Christian college. (Yes, you read that right.) Zach was influenced by the deconstruction movement, but when he hit bottom, h...

What if you could find a way to get everything done, love your family well, make space for self-care, and not feel like you're one small step away from losing your marbles?  What if your daily chaos could actually become your rhythm of grace?  In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Scott—entrepreneur, wife, and mom of four —who shares how she turned her busy life into a sys...

In this heartfelt Father’s Day episode, Donna Jones sits down with her pastor husband,  Dr. JP Jones , to explore the power and purpose of fatherhood. From JP’s painful childhood shaped by an angry, alcoholic father, he shares how God's grace helped him become a compassionate, intentional dad and now, grandfather. His story will bring hope to your story.  Together, Donna and...

Frustration. We all experience it;  none of us like it. But what if frustration isn’t a sin but a signal? In this episode, we take a fresh look at frustration, especially during summer’s messy, together-all-the-time moments, when frustration can reach new heights.  I’ll walk you through the four main triggers (starting with blocked goals!) and show you how to turn those...

What if real confidence isn’t about having it all together—but knowing Who’s leading you? In this episode, I chat with life coach Lisa Allen, who shares insights from her powerful new book, Your  Confidence Compass —a faith-rooted framework to help you lead yourself well and move forward with courage. We unpack how emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and naming you...

Habits That Secretly Steal Your Joy (And How to Stop Them) Part 2 Podcast Summary Ever wonder why your joy feels stuck—even when life’s not that bad? In this episode, I share three sneaky ways we sabotage our own joy (and peace!) without even realizing it. From everyday comparison to being controlling or allowing ourselves to be controlled, we dig into the habits that quietly erode our...

Do you ever find yourself feeling less joyful or peaceful than you know God wants you to be, but can’t quite figure out why? In this episode, I share surprisingly common ways we  unknowingly sabotage our own joy. (Yes, even the most spiritually mature of us do this!) From complaining to criticizing, we unpack the little habits that sneak into our lives and chip away at our contentment&m...

What if your life’s calling could be bigger than being a wife and mom with a great job, a white picket fence, and a dog? What if one conversation opened your eyes to needs you never knew existed? That’s exactly what happened to  Britney Higgs, founder of the Her Campaign . In this powerful episode, Britney shares how a conversation with a friend doing rescue work in the red-light...

  Ever felt like you’re stuck in a season of waiting? Oh friend, you’re not alone. In today’s episode, I sit down with Rebecca George, author of You're Not Too Late: Trusting God's Timing in a Hurry-Up World . Rebecca shares her honest journey of longing, waiting, and learning to trust God’s timing—even when life felt like it was moving without her. We talk about...

Ever feel torn between what you should do and what you want to do? Oh friend, you’re not alone—and this week’s episode with the amazing Heidi White dives straight into that tension. Heidi is a teacher, speaker, and author of Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life , joins me to unpack the stories we live and the ones we tell—through scripture, literature, and real life. We talk about...

I’ve walked with Jesus long enough to realize how easy it is to get caught up in being a “ Christian ” but somehow forget about Christ!   In this episode, I reflect on the incredible story of Jesus—His life, His love, and His sacrifice that literally changed everything. From Bethlehem to the cross, we dive into who Jesus really is and why that matters deeply for your faith journey. I’ll walk you t...

No one wants to lead an insignificant life. Nor do we want to pass on generational dysfunction. But what if your legacy isn’t just what you leave behind—but what you set in motion? In this episode, I sit down with Bill High, founder of Legacy Stone Ministries, to talk about faith, family, and the power of intentional legacy.   We unpack how our culture’s obsession with independence is reshaping fa...

Feeling overwhelmed by everyday stress? You’re not alone! Most of us live with more stress and less peace and calm than we’d like. And here’s the crazy part: much of the stress we feel is self-inflicted! But there is a better way. In this episode, we chat about shifting from stress to peace by focusing on what we can control rather than worrying about what we can’t control—like our schedules, stuf...

What do a former litigator, an author, and a mama with a heart for faith have in common? Meet Wendy Beylik, who joins me for a conversation about her journey from the courtroom to storytelling—and how God used every step along the way. We chat about faith and resilience, just in time for Easter. Wendy shares a pivotal moment in which the largest protest in history opened her eyes to see that Pro-w...

What if your past didn’t define your future—but prepared you for it? In this episode, I sit down with Jimelle Carlson, founder of Foundations Cognitive School, who went from being an unwanted child in a home full of alcoholism, abuse, and neglect to a powerful advocate for children and education. Her story is one of faith, resilience, and discovering self-worth in God’s love. We dive into how unhe...

What if midlife felt empowering instead of overwhelming? In this episode, I chat with Dr. Mikala Albertson—family practice doctor and author of Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife—about what every woman needs to know in her 30s, 40s, and beyond. We break down the real-life challenges of perimenopause and menopause, from hormonal changes to the benefits of resistance training, suppleme...

Ever wonder what it’s really like to be a pastor’s wife? Jessica Taylor, Jenna Allen, and Stephanie Gilbert—hosts of Pastors’ Wives Tell All—are here to spill the truth with humor, honesty, and heart.    What started as a friendship in 2019 turned into a ministry that encourages pastors’ wives to be real, break down barriers, and build authentic community.   We talk about the power of vulnerabilit...

Have you ever wondered if you should keep this relationship or let it go? In this episode, we dive into the tricky topic of navigating challenging friendships, family dynamics and marriages—through a biblical lens. With "toxic relationships" being such a buzzword, how do we know when to work through conflict and when to walk away? Looking at Jesus’ teachings in Matthew, we explore how to set bound...

What if you could find joy and balance in life’s inevitable craziness?   In this fun and heartwarming chat, Heather Brown, host of Healthy by Heather, shares how she navigates family life, faith, and wellness—while embracing the beautiful mess of it all. From surviving a lively winter break with her extended family to overcoming postpartum depression, Heather opens up about her journey to align me...

Ever wonder what it takes to make a marriage last for decades? In this episode, I sit down with Ed and Angie Wright—marriage mentors with 46 years of experience—who share their best wisdom for building a strong, thriving relationship. Their couple-to-couple mentoring approach has helped countless couples, and today, they’re sharing their secrets with us! From daily check-ins to fun traditions like...

Can worry disguise itself as love in your prayers? Let’s talk about the difference between being a prayer warrior and a prayer worrier! In this episode, I share personal stories—including a hilarious road trip with my mom and sister—to unpack how worry can sneak into our prayers and impact generations. Shifting from anxiety-filled to faith-filled prayers isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. I’ll show yo...

What happens when a simple church envelope and a quiet nudge from God change everything? That’s exactly what happened to Rachel Adams, host of the Love Offering Podcast.   Rachel joins me to share how her feelings of “not enough” turned into a mission to live—and inspire—love in everyday life. We also dive into her new book, Everyday Prayers for Love , which beautifully ties into her mission of lo...