The Shieldmaidens

How should Christians think about mental health? When is counseling helpful? Is medication always the right answer? And how do we discern the difference between a mental health struggle and spiritual warfare?  In this episode of The Shieldmaidens, we're joined by a licensed mental health therapist, Marideth Kates, who specializes in working with teenagers and young adults. Together, we tackle...

As America approaches its 250th birthday, it's easy to focus on the challenges, divisions, and uncertainties that surround us. But what happens when we take a moment to look back and recognize God's faithfulness throughout our nation's history?  In this episode of The Shieldmaidens, we reflect on the many ways God has blessed America, discuss the importance of gratitude, and share o...

In this deeply personal episode of The Shieldmaidens, Cheryl shares the story of her son, Erik, and the heartbreaking loss her family experienced when he died by suicide at the age of 36.  With honesty, courage, and faith, Cheryl opens up about the realities of grief, the difficult questions that follow a tragedy like this, and how God has carried her through one of the darkest seasons of her life...

Have you ever felt God calling you to do something, but fear kept getting in the way?  In this episode of The Shieldmaidens, Lyndsi shares her journey of being called by God to paint for His glory - and the years she spent running from that calling. What started as a clear direction from the Lord became a battle with fear, doubt, insecurity, and delayed obedience.  Delayed obedience is still disob...

Samantha never expected to meet Jesus in a jail cell.  After years of hardship, anger, brokenness, and searching for something more, she found herself at one of the lowest points in her life. But it was there, in a place that felt hopeless, that God met her in a powerful and life-changing way.  In this episode of The Shieldmaidens, Samantha shares her raw and honest testimony of how Jesus recently...

Have you ever felt like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Anxiety, comparison, worry, fear, unmet expectations - sometimes the burdens we carry become so familiar that we forget we were never meant to bear them alone.  In this episode of The Shieldmaidens, we sit down with author Brenda Phegley to talk about what it truly means to surrender our burdens to Christ. Draw...

A recent post online claimed churches shouldn’t celebrate Mother’s Day because “Sunday is for Jesus, not moms.” 👀 So… should churches avoid honoring individuals altogether? Can we celebrate people without taking the focus off Christ? And why does this conversation stir up such strong opinions among Christians?  In this episode, we lovingly unpack the tension between being Christ-centered and hono...

What happens when the battle is deeper than what can be seen?  In this powerful episode of The Shieldmaidens, we sit down with Darren Ricketts as he shares his testimony of finding true freedom in Christ. From spiritual warfare and deliverance to discovering his identity as a son of the King, this conversation is raw, honest, and full of hope.  One statement from Darren deeply impacted us: “The en...

Some words sting longer than we’d like to admit. In this episode of The Shieldmaidens, we’re opening up about the reality of harsh criticism, online hate, and the cruelty that can live in the comment section. We read real comments, share honest reactions, and talk about what it means to keep following Jesus when the opinions of others get loud.  How do you stay rooted in your calling when people m...

In this episode of The Shieldmaidens, we sit down with Elisha, the heart behind Waiting for Baby Bird , to hear her powerful and deeply personal story. What began as a blog documenting her journey through infertility has grown into a beautiful ministry that now supports and encourages other women walking the same road. Through seasons of waiting, grief, and unwavering faith, Elisha shares how God...

In this episode, we sit down with Dennis and Robin Lannert to hear the real story behind life on the mission field.  From powerful moments of faith to the unseen reality of spiritual warfare, Dennis and Robin share what it’s truly like to follow God’s calling... no matter the cost. After spending years going back and forth serving in Belize, they’ve experienced both the beauty and the battle that...

In this episode of The Shieldmaidens Podcast, we’re taking a step back to reflect on the past 18 months of podcasting, growth, and walking with God.  We went into this journey with expectations, but God had other plans.  From the lessons we didn’t see coming to the ways He’s been shaping our hearts in this current season, we’re sharing what surprised us most, what challenged us, and what God is te...

What happens when finding truth could cost you everything?  In this powerful episode, we sit down (virtually) with Sandi, who grew up culturally Jewish but encountered Jesus in a deeply personal way at a young age. What followed was a journey marked by both transformation and tension... because her new faith had to remain hidden.  Fearing rejection, misunderstanding, and the loss of close relation...

In this powerful and honest conversation, Dedrick shares his journey from a life marked by instability, rejection, and deep personal struggles... to a life completely transformed by Jesus Christ.  From a difficult childhood to broken relationships, and even a moment where he almost gave up, Dedrick opens up about the pain that shaped his early years.  But God.  Now living with purpose and a holy f...

What happens when you truly commit to reading the Bible... not just occasionally, but daily?  In this episode, Allie and Drew share their personal story of how turning to Scripture transformed their lives, their faith, and their marriage. What started as a simple step of obedience became something far deeper than they ever expected.  They open up about where they were before, what led them to fina...

What does it look like to follow Jesus in the middle of the music industry? In this episode, we sit down with Christian R&B artist Yung Kriss to examine life behind the spotlight: the highs, the pressures, the temptations, and the moments that have tested his faith the most. From success to struggle, Kriss shares how staying grounded in Christ hasn't always been easy... but it's been...

In this powerful testimony, Mary Jo shares her incredible story of healing and faith. After facing difficult circumstances in a cancer diagnosis, she discovered the life-changing power of speaking and praying the Word of God over her life.  Instead of accepting fear, doubt, or negative reports, Mary Jo began declaring God's promises over her day. Through persistent prayer and speaking truth o...

In this episode, we sit down with Cindy and Tom Scholl; a couple who has spent 50 years walking through life together. They share their story from how they first met, to the places life has taken them, to the highs, the lows, and everything in between.  After five decades of marriage, they reflect honestly on the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and how God remained faithful throug...

For years, JJ lived a double life.  Behind closed doors, he battled a hidden meth addiction. One he kept secret from the people who loved him most. Even his wife, Brooke, had no idea the depth of what he was struggling with.  In this powerful and deeply personal testimony, JJ and Brooke sit down to share their story together. JJ opens up about the secrecy, the shame, and the grip addiction had on...

What if the question “Does God exist?” isn’t just philosophical, but deeply personal?  In this powerful testimony, Devin Wilbourn, known across social media as The Quiet Church, shares the journey that changed his life forever.  What started as a pursuit to question, analyze, and even disprove the existence of God as a teenager became something he never expected: an encounter with the one true God...

Everyone has an opinion... but is it biblical?  In this episode, we are joined by our producer Toby to react to real listener submissions and put popular Christian hot takes to the test. Some are encouraging, some are uncomfortable, and some might challenge the way you've always thought. Instead of arguing from feelings, we open the Bible and ask: What does the Bible really say?  While this o...

"When church leaves the building" isn't just a catchy phrase... it’s a way of life.  In this episode, we sit down with Matt & Kady Woodruff, the founders of Love is the Metric, to hear how God radically changed their lives and birthed a ministry that meets people where they are: in the streets, in addiction, in homelessness, and in deep brokenness. They go to the darkest places...

If you have faith...why are you still afraid?  It's a question that many Christians quietly wrestle with, but rarely say out loud. In this episode, we dive headfirst into the tension between fear, anxiety, and faith, asking the hard questions believers often feel guilty for even having.  Does fear mean your faith is weak?  Can fear and faith coexist in the same heart?  What does the Bible act...

What happens when the spiritual practices you once trusted no longer satisfy?  In this powerful testimony, Jessica Rooney shares her incredible journey from the New Age world of yoga, to a life fully surrendered to Jesus Christ. Formally known online as YogaMeetsTravel, Jessica built a platform centered on wellness, freedom, and inner peace. But behind the scenes, she was still searching.  One enc...

Is K-Pop Demon Hunters just harmless entertainment, or is there more beneath the surface?  In this episode, we take an honest, faith-based look at Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters movie... but through the lens of a Christian parent. With the rise of animated shows blending spiritual themes, supernatural elements, and pop culture, many parents are left asking the same question:  Should I let my k...