The Sisters of Light Podcast

This episode of the Sisters of Light podcast explores the lives of Christian women during the Spanish Reformation who faced brutal persecution under the Spanish Inquisition. The hosts discuss how Spain, unified under Ferdinand and Isabella, consolidated religious power under the Roman church and later persecuted Protestant reformers in the 1550s. Featured women include Isabel de Baena who ran a ho...

This episode of the Sisters of Light podcast explores the remarkable life of Louise de Coligny, a 16th-century French Protestant (Huguenot) who demonstrated unwavering faith despite tremendous loss and persecution. Born in 1555 to Gaspard de Coligny, a prominent Huguenot leader, Louise experienced the French Wars of Religion from childhood. Her father chose her husband based on godly character rat...

This episode of the Sisters of Light podcast explores the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey, the sixteen-year-old who became England's reluctant queen for nine days during the Protestant Reformation. The hosts examine how Jane's parents and in-laws used her as a pawn to advance their own political ambitions, forcing her into marriage and onto the throne against her will. Jane, a devout Protestant, ul...

This episode of the Sisters of Light podcast explores the life of Catherine Parr, the sixth and surviving wife of Henry VIII. The discussion focuses on Catherine's challenging marriage dynamics, where she had to carefully manage Henry's ego and volatile temperament to survive. The hosts examine how Catherine used wisdom and discernment to navigate an impossible situation, including the famous inci...

This episode of the Sisters of Light podcast explores the remarkable story of Anne Askew, a 16th-century English Protestant who faced extraordinary persecution under Henry VIII's reign. Born into nobility but forced into an unwanted marriage to a Catholic man, Anne's journey from domestic conflict to religious martyrdom demonstrates incredible resilience and faith. The hosts discuss how Anne found...

This episode of the Sisters of Light podcast explores the story of Lavinia de la Rovere, a 16th-century Italian noblewoman who became obsessed with her husband Paolo but found spiritual fulfillment through friendship with Olympia Murata and embracing the Reformation. The hosts use Lavinia's story as a springboard to discuss healthy Christian relationships, warning against making romantic partners...

This episode of the Sisters of Light podcast explores the life of Renee of Ferrara, a French princess who married into the notorious Borgia family and faced significant marital challenges due to her Protestant faith and her controlling Catholic husband Ercole d'Este. The hosts discuss how Renee's tumultuous marriage illustrates toxic patterns of manipulation, withholding, and retaliation rather th...

This episode of the Sisters of Light podcast explores the remarkable story of Elizabeth of Brandenburg, a 16th-century princess who faced incredible personal betrayal and hardship for her faith. After 25 years of happy marriage, Elizabeth's husband became unfaithful and emerged as one of Martin Luther's strongest opponents. When Elizabeth secretly converted to Lutheranism and was discovered by her...

This podcast episode from the Sisters of Light series explores the life of Marie Dontier, the only woman featured on the reformation wall in Geneva. The hosts discuss how Marie was gifted to a convent as a child, later converted to Protestantism after being influenced by Luther's teachings, and escaped to marry a pastor. After her husband died, leaving her with five children, she remarried and bec...

Margaret of Navarre was the beloved sister of the King of France. She was his closest confidant and friend. However when Margaret embraced the Reformation, her newfound faith drew her attention, straining the close relationship between her and her brother. She personally advocated on behalf of countless reformers facing death and nurtured the flegdling reformist movement in France. In this episode...

Katharina Zell was born and raised in Strasbourg, she married Matthew Zell and embraced the Reformation with her whole heart. She was a strong, practical, efficient woman who contributed to the Reformation in Strasbourg in varied ways. In this episode we talk about grace, faith and works, humility, service and kindness, even when it is hard to be kind.

Katharina von Bora was gifted to a convent at the age of five. When she was in her early 20s she was exposed to the ideas of the Reformation through the writings of Martin Luther and her entire life changed. Her escape from the convent was orchestrated by Luther himself whom she later went on to marry. In this episode we discuss freedom and the costs associated with it, practical Christianity, pla...

Argula von Grumbach was a member of an impoverished German noble family. She was married at a young age, and learned to be a proper German lady. However Argula was feisty, opinionated and unafraid to stand for what was right, three character traits that repeatedly got her into trouble when she embraced the Reformation. In this episode we look at forgiveness, grace, picking ourselves up after we’ve...

Anna Reinhard was married twice. Her first husband was a young Swiss nobleman who was cut off from his family fortune for marrying Anna, the innkeeper's daughter. Her second husband was Ulrich Zwingli, stalwart pillar of the Swiss Reformation. In many ways Anna was the first lady of the Reformation. In this episode we explore the themes of grief, pain, toxic positivity and how we can find comfort...

A young woman born into one of the most glamorous European monarchies, Anne of Bohemia was sent to England to marry Richard II. She became Queen of England during a particularly difficult time in England’s history yet her kindness, compassion and courage made a difference in so many lives. In this episode we delve into quiet consistency, spiritual apathy, wearing our own armour and the pitfalls of...

Born in Carthage, raised in privilege, Perpetua was a young Roman noblewoman who chose to embrace Christianity. She was arrested and forced to compromise her faith yet she refused. In this episode we discuss the nuances of courage, compromise, authenticity and what it means to be a Christian in a world that is hostile to our faith.