The Messy Table with Jenn Jewell

Look at us, back together again! Happy September and welcome back to The Messy Table —an ordinary space for us to slow down and remember that GOD IS AT WORK IN OUR MESS. Kicking off the 2022 fall season here at The Messy Table is Ginger Ward —a fantastic mama, an intentional leader, everybody’s favorite cheerleader, and the Central Group Leader of Training and Development at Life. Church . I...

Have your plans ever been derailed? Has a dream ever quietly died? Have you thought God was leading you one way, but, turns out, you were wrong? Carrie McCarty has known disappointment: She thought she’d marry her high school/college sweetheart, but that relationship ended. She thought she’d be a biological mom, but those two pink lines never showed up. She thought she was going to ado...

It’s May, y’all! AND Mother’s Day week. AND Foster Care Awareness Month. AND we’re nearing the sun-soaked days of summer—which often means extra time with the younger humans in our lives. And that’s why we’re THRILLED to have Amanda Torres as our guest today at The Messy Table . Sharing the unexpected messes and mercies of motherhood with LaTonya Pratt and Jenn...

Jen Lake never expected her pastor-husband to die—in front of her eyes or in front of their church. She never planned to be a young widow with three small children. And she never anticipated finding love again … Today at The Messy Table , Jen is sharing her unexpected journey with grief, as well as a surprising catalyst for continued healing. Now, having been remarried for over a decade, having ra...

We don’t always notice God’s fingerprints—until we look back. But He’s constantly working and continuously present, even when we fail to see it. Jas Reynolds is a New Yorker transplanted in Oklahoma, as well as a wife, mama, and pastor/communicator at Life. Church. Today at The Messy Table , Jas is chatting with Amy Groeschel and Jenn Jewell about: her journey from doubting God t...

Have you ever wanted to quit something good? Our guest today at The Messy Table has been there. Renee Swope was ready to resign from motherhood—after desperately longing to become a mom. Overwhelmed by the job, deflated by insecurity, and enamored with guilt, the thought of giving up (at least for a few days) sounded like a vacation. Renee and her husband, J.J., have raised two sons to adulthood a...

God designed this incredible world to teach us, stretch us, and shape us. The challenge is pausing long enough to notice how He’s working, and acknowledge how we’re growing. Here to chat with Amy Groeschel and Jenn Jewell today at The Messy Table is Donna Stuart —a Texan transplanted to Washington DC, where she and her husband (and 3 kiddos) planted Passion City Church DC . Plus, she w...

If you’ve ever felt too wounded, too shattered, or too terribly far from God, this episode is for you. Yes, you . And today’s guest at The Messy Table Podcast is poised to remind you that (spoiler!) “broken crayons still color.” With a delicious mix of fire and charm, Toni Collier is sharing her redemption story. “Broken crayons still color.”   —Toni Collier Ton...

In a performance-driven, goal-oriented, success-obsessed world, is it possible for an overachiever to find rest? Is it realistic to value meaningful work AND healthy boundaries? Here to share a bit of her story at The Messy Table is Ashley Clinesmith —a wife, girl mom, business professional, lifelong learner, and recovering overachiever. As a naturally independent and motivated woman, she’s...

Two best friends. Two separate pregnancies. Two heartbreaking losses within two short weeks of time. Here to share their tragically sacred stories at The Messy Table are Alyson Brown and Kelsi Cole —cofounders of Foreknown Ministries , re-definers of joy, and mamas to little ones on earth and in heaven. Now, a big part of their calling is empowering other moms (and dads) to find healing, community...

Happy January, friends! We can’t think of a better way to kick off the 2022 season than a conversation with Rachel Cruze at The Messy Table ! In today’s episode, Amy Groeschel and Jenn Jewell are chatting with Rachel about stewarding our lives—our money, our time, our relationships—to magnify God. We’re covering topics like: Shifting seasons of work/family life Raising strong (an...

Right in the middle of this holiday madness (the wonderful, the challenging, and the complicated), guess what we have for you?! A special BONUS EPISODE at The Messy Table Podcast ! It’s easy to get wrapped up in it all—the gifts, meals, programs, parties, chaos, and fun. But what if we pause long enough to consider WHAT actually happened over 2,000 years ago, WHY it even matters, and HOW it...

Why would someone purposefully step into heartbreak? Why would they intentionally sacrifice time, money, and emotional/physical margin to care for strangers in need? Sharing a piece of her unconventionally beautiful story at The Messy Table , as well as reminding us of true things, is Heather Van Wormer —a wife, foster mama (with a biological sweetie on the way), and pastor at Life. Church . Sever...

If you’ve ever tried to carry the weight of the world, you know, it’s an exhausting attempt. But the good news is… Our guest today at The Messy Table is the incredible Hosanna Wong —author, speaker, and spoken word artist who grew up “doing church” on the streets of San Francisco, and happens to be an expert on How (Not) to Save the World . In this episode, Hosanna is...

For nearly 6 years, Rebecca Bender was trapped in the dark and violent world of sex trafficking. When she finally escaped, she knew she wanted to fight to change culture and offer hope to other survivors. Rebecca is not only a human-trafficking survivor, but also a wife, mother of 4, speaker, author, thought leader, educator, and advocate. As the CEO of the Rebecca Bender Initiative and founder of...

Though we each have uniquely individual journeys, there’s still so much that’s universal—joys and struggles and the curious provision of God. And today’s guest at The Messy Table Podcast  exemplifies no exception… “Kate” is a physician assistant, doctor’s wife, and homeschooling mama of 4 who’s currently serving alongside her family as missionaries i...

20 years ago, Cindy Beall’s marriage was dangling by a thread. Betrayal had shattered her reality and uncertainty was threatening her future. 10 years ago, Cindy published a book —divulging how she and her husband, Chris , experienced healing after trust was broken; offering hope to those following in their footsteps. Today, we’re celebrating! The sweetness of redemption. The gift of s...

We all want to thrive, don’t we? We’d rather not waste our time and energy on fruitless endeavors. Yet, still, we can find ourselves merely surviving this beautiful thing called life. In today’s episode at The Messy Table , Kristen Campbell is chatting with Kat Robinson and Jenn Jewell about the significance of thriving where you’re planted—even transplanted. A wife, mama o...

Does God really work ALL things together for good, like it says in Romans 8 ? And do “all things” include those mysteriously jagged pieces that don’t make perfect sense? Y’all, our guest today at The Messy Table  is ridiculously FUN and deeply COMPASSIONATE. Heather Brower serves on the Content Development Team at Life. Church , is parenting two awesome teens (alongside her...

Oh happy day! After a brief summer break (WE MISSED YOU!), The Messy Table Podcast is all cued up and ready to be back in your earbuds… And guess what? We’re kicking off the season with a guest we deeply respect—a truth-telling, boy-raising, Kingdom-advancing, example-setting, life-speaking WOMAN OF GOD. Y’all, Priscilla Shirer is in the house! On today’s episode, Priscilla...

Before taking a short summer break here at The Messy Table Podcast (don’t worry, we’ll be back mid-August), we want to leave you with the powerful reminder that, no matter your situation, you are hard-wired for hope. Our guest today, Kim Heinecke , has navigated a series of relationship status shifts: single, married, divorced, a single mama, remarried, and, finally, the proud advocate...

At 7 years old, Mayci Baker jotted scribbly words onto a sticky note and placed it in her kitchen—where she knew her mama spent hours preparing specially-made, allergy-friendly food. “Work hard for me today,”   the note read. “Love, Mayci.” Caressa Baker’s days are marked with the quiet strength of sacrifice. Along with being a pastor’s wife, a mom of four girls...

Imagine you’re reclining on a velvet couch with a fluffy pillow under your neck while a professional helps you untangle the complexities swirling through your mind. Well, guess what? It doesn’t have to be a dream! (Just use your own couch.) Robin May is a seasoned wife, girl-mom of three, church leader, licensed mental health therapist, certified life coach, and an author/speaker who&#...

Everyday heroes. They sometimes fly under the radar and often avoid recognition, but if you’re willing to take a closer look, you’ll find them—serving on the fringes and fighting for what matters. Jesus, of course, is our ultimate Hero. But He’s dispatched an army of everyday heroes to flood the darkness with light. And Dr. Deb Shropshire —a seasoned pediatrician and the Director...

Friends!!! We cannot even believe that TODAY marks the 100th episode at The Messy Table Podcast ! And that’s exactly why there’s zero shame in using a ridiculous amount of exclamation points!! We VALUE the courageous women (and a few brave men!) who have dared to offer a piece of their stories. We HONOR those who have joined us by listening to and learning from such meaningful words. W...