The Speakeasy

As we reach the halfway point of the year, I reflect on the importance of slowing down long enough to evaluate where we've been, where we're headed, and how God is shaping us in the process. Rather than chasing constant productivity, I encourage you to embrace the natural rhythms of each season, recognizing that every season has a purpose. Just as creation doesn't bloom year-round, neither are we...

This episode is an invitation to rethink what a thriving marriage actually looks like. If you've been focused on loving your spouse but wondering how to genuinely like them too, this conversation is for you. I sat down with Christian counselors Chris and Jamie Bailey of Expedition Marriage to discuss building a marriage where both people are willing to let God transform them. Their story is proof...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Rachel Barkley to discuss disability, suffering, identity, resilience, and what it means to trust God when life changes overnight. What began as a conversation about disability quickly became a deeper discussion about hope, purpose, and finding God's goodness in the middle of unexpected circumstances. Rachel shares her profound story of becoming paralyzed...

This episode is an invitation to rethink what we mean by orphan care and how Christians can best support vulnerable children around the world. I sat down with Elli Oswald, Executive Director of Faith to Action, for a conversation about orphan care and global missions. Elli brings over a decade of experience in global child welfare and shares why many organizations are shifting focus from instituti...

This week I sit down with Elise Orozco from Raising Rock for a conversation that feels deeply personal and incredibly timely. We share remarkably similar stories of stepping away from ambition, hustle, and outside success in exchange for something we discovered mattered far more: presence. Elise opens up about leaving a high-level corporate career after realizing that while she was succeeding prof...

Year two of homeschooling is officially in the books, and I'm sitting down for an honest recap of what worked, what didn't, and what I wish I had known sooner. If you're considering homeschooling, preparing for your first year, or just curious what life actually looks like after the highlight reels, this episode offers a realistic look at the beauty and challenges of homeschooling life. I share th...

This episode is an invitation to rethink what sanctification actually looks like. If you've felt pressure to transform yourself overnight or believed that becoming like Jesus should be faster and cleaner than it is, this conversation will meet you right where you are. I sat down with Matt Chandler to talk about sanctification, suffering, surrender, and the slow process of spiritual formation. This...

In this powerful and practical conversation, I sat down with Addison Bevere to unpack one of the most common struggles in the Christian life: prayer. If you've ever felt like you're "bad at prayer," distracted, or unsure what to say, this episode meets you right there and gently reframes everything. Addison shares that even growing up in a spiritually strong family, he felt like he didn't measure...

In this episode, Brooke and I dive into a struggle so many Christian women share: feeling disconnected from their bodies, overwhelmed in their lives, and genuinely unsure why their health is suffering. What often shows up: Constant stress and urgency Snapping at loved ones Poor health or confusing symptoms Feeling unable to slow down  The root issue isn't just physical, it's a whole-person misalig...

Today I'm answering two of the most common questions I get: where to start in the Bible and how to journal in a way that actually helps you grow. Not a rigid formula, just some simple, practical rhythms that have helped me stay grounded in my relationship with God. Sponsor: CrowdHealth If you are looking for an alternative to traditional health insurance, CrowdHealth offers a different approach. W...

In this episode, I sat down with my husband Jeremy to talk about 15 years of marriage, the early struggles, the growth, and how we got to where we are today. Because what you see now? It didn't always exist. And that's kind of the whole point. We laughed, we got vulnerable, and we talked about the stuff a lot of couples deal with but don't always say out loud, especially in those early years. Whet...

In this episode, I sit down with author and Bible teacher Hanna Seymour  to talk about what it really looks like to grow spiritually in the middle of real life with busy schedules, motherhood, exhaustion, and all. We unpack Hanna's book Everyday Spiritual Habits and tackle one of the most common questions believers wrestle with: How do I actually stay consistent in my faith without feeling overwhe...

In today's episode, I sit down with Christian artist and author Stephen McWhirter for a raw, hope-filled conversation about redemption, forgiveness, and the transforming power of Jesus. Stephen shares the powerful story behind his music and about his book, Radical Restoration, where he talks about how he grew up in a home marked by abuse, spiraling into deep addiction, and ultimately encountering...

Today's episode is a long overdue catch-up. I'm finally sharing the fuller story of what happened in 2025: the year God completely flipped my life, my work, my identity, and my priorities upside down. If you've noticed that my content has shifted a lot over the last year, this is the why. For years, this podcast has felt like the most full expression of me. Faith, motherhood, politics, wellness, t...

Today we're talking about anxiety, not the casual "I'm stressed" kind, but the kind that takes over your body, your thoughts, your sleep, your peace, and your sense of safety. My friend Maddie Joy Fischer joins me to talk about our very real stories with anxiety, panic, fear, and the lies at the root of it all. We both know what it's like to feel trapped by fear and to wonder if this is just how l...

Today's conversation is one I didn't expect to have, but I'm so glad we did. I'm joined by Ben Higgins, known from  The Bachelor franchise, but more importantly, a man willing to talk honestly about something many of us feel and few of us admit: loneliness. Ben's book, Alone in Plain Sight: Searching for Connection When You're Seen But Not Known , explores what it's like to feel invisible, even wh...

Today we're diving into the wide world of youth sports, and fair warning: this one might give you permission, step on your toes… or both. Ed and Brian are former athletes, longtime sports ministry leaders, and dads currently navigating youth sports with their own kids. They're also the authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports , and this conversation is honest, cl...

Today's episode is all about raising boys, even if you're a girl mom like me. I sat down with  Rebekah Lovell , author of Boyhood Resurrected , for a powerful and honest conversation about how modern systems are failing our boys, and what we can do about it. We talk about how boys are hardwired for adventure, movement, risk, curiosity, and strength, and how over-scheduling, over-screening, and ove...

Welcome back to the Big Easy Podcast with everybody's favorite guest, my husband, Jeremy. This episode is a candid, hope-filled conversation about what God has been doing in  us lately: in our faith, our marriage, our home, and our conversations. While the recent "Ending Well" series focused on reflection, this episode is about real-time transformation . Jeremy shares how a simple observation: wat...

What if Bible study didn't feel dry, intimidating, or guilt-driven, but instead felt alive, honest, and deeply formative? In this episode of The Speakeasy Podcast , Blake sits down with Faith Womack , author of No More Boring Bible Study and self-proclaimed Bible nerd, to talk about how Scripture can actually come to life in your everyday faith. Faith shares her powerful story of growing up with S...

In today's episode, Blake sits down with Joby Martin , lead pastor of Church of 11:22 , for a candid, practical, and surprisingly fun conversation about biblical marriage. This is a must-listen—especially with your husband. Together, they talk honestly about leadership, submission, responsibility, and why keeping score in marriage quietly kills intimacy. Pastor Joby brings clarity (and humor) to w...

This episode continues an unexpected but timely series focused on strengthening families at the start of the year. Blake sits down with Pastor Craig Thompson , author of Fighting for Your Family , for an honest, practical conversation about marriage, parenting, and spiritual warfare. Too often, the hardest battles feel like they're inside the home—spouses clashing, tension with kids, constant frus...

Download the planning PDF here ! This episode is an invitation to rethink what January is actually for. If you've felt pressure to reinvent your entire life on January 1st (or swung the other direction and rejected January altogether) this conversation lives in the middle. Blake makes the case that January isn't meant for revamps or visible productivity. Historically and biologically, it's a hinge...

Happy New Year and welcome to the very first Speak Easy episode of 2026. To kick off the year, Blake dives into a topic that impacts every family—even if we avoid talking about it: healthcare. In this episode, Blake sits down with Andy Schoonover , CEO of CrowdHealth, to unpack why so many people feel trapped in traditional health insurance, how the system actually profits, and what alternatives e...

Welcome back to the Speakeasy Podcast—and to the very last episode of the year. To close out this season, Blake sits down with Erin Wilkins, a friend and voice she deeply trusts, to talk about something countercultural but necessary: slowing down. Erin has walked this road just a little ahead—moving from seasons of intense advocacy, visibility, and urgency into a quieter, more intentional life roo...