The Speakeasy

Freelancer and entrepreneur, Micala Quinn joins Blake to share her journey from being a high school English teacher to becoming a freelancer and working for herself. In this episode, Micala talks about the challenges she faced as a new mother and the desire to stay home with her child, which led her to explore freelancing options. Join them as they emphasize the importance of identifying one's str...

Author and podcaster, Michelle Donnelly joins Blake to discuss the reality that motherhood often doesn't match our expectations. In this episode, they touch on the challenges of single parenting, unexpected life changes, and the anxiety and self-doubt that can arise when life doesn't go as planned. Join them as they talk about the importance of relying on God and embracing vulnerability to find st...

Join us for today's episode as Blake shares a deeply personal and candid account of her experience with SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), discussing her 15-year journey with these medications and her recent decision to stop taking them. She reflects on her initial decision to start taking SSRIs as a young adult, her family's history of relying on pharmaceuticals, and the challenges...

Biblical and family counselor, Mary Garcia and youth and family counselor, Sarah Garcia join Blake to discuss their new book on biblical insights for godly parenting and shaping future generations. They talk about the challenges of parenting in a changing culture and emphasize the importance of not being stressed by these cultural shifts. The book reflects their background in counseling and biblic...

Author, strategist, and leader Clint Grider joins Blake to discuss his journey from research and Christian universities to becoming an ordained pastor working with churches and ministries. He emphasizes the challenges churches face in a fast-paced and complex world, where there's a gap between their intentions and outcomes in making disciples. This conversation delves into the importance of data a...

Author, speaker, and podcaster Sheila Gregoire joins Blake to discuss the impact of toxic teachings in evangelical churches on women's marital and sexual satisfaction. Sheila explains how their research project surveyed thousands of women to examine how these teachings harmed women's experiences and led to harmful beliefs. Joins them as they talk about the consequences of purity culture, the lack...

Author and speaker Christy Boulware joins Blake to discuss their experiences with anxiety and how their pursuit of success and the pressure to be superwomen led to burnout and severe anxiety. Christy's journey involves striving for achievement, climbing the corporate ladder, and experiencing panic attacks that eventually led her to surrender and seek God's help. Join us as they talk about the impo...

Pastor, author and speaker Mark Batterson joins Blake to discuss his new book about the power of words. He emphasizes the impact of words and explores the concept that they have the power to shape our world and experiences; they are not just representations of reality but also play a role in creating the world around us. In his book, he focuses on the three words "please, sorry, thanks," explainin...

Biblical scholar, New York Times bestselling author, speaker and podcaster Preston Sprinkle joins Blake to discuss his new book on same-sex marriage from a historically Christian perspective. He talks about his journey into studying this topic, acknowledging the challenges of engaging in contentious conversations. He highlights the importance of being a curious listener and understanding the motiv...

Author, wife and mom Katie Westenberg joins Blake to discuss the challenge of living in a distracted world, where social media, technology, and other distractions prevent people from fully engaging with their day-to-day lives and faith. In her book, she talks about her personal journey surrounding this topic and emphasizes the importance of aligning one's thoughts with truth and obedience to God....

Former counter-terrorism expert and devout Muslim for over 20 years, Hedieh Mirahmadi joins Blake to share her journey from Islam to Christianity and how it transformed her life. She talks about the difference between her previous religious beliefs and her newfound relationship with God in Christianity. She also emphasizes the importance of being a good witness and how the Holy Spirit helps her na...

Author, speaker, and podcaster, Rebekah Lyons joins Blake to discuss the concept of resilience in the face of adversity. Listen in as Rebekah shares her personal experience with panic disorder and how she learned to view anxiety as a friend rather than an enemy. She emphasizes the importance of community support and finding meaning in difficult circumstances to build resilience. In this episode, y...

Heather Brown |  Episode 257   Blogger, podcaster, author and content creator, Heather Brown joins Blake to discuss the concept of health and how it has been defined by society, particularly in relation to women. Listen in as they challenge the conventional ideas of health based on external appearances and instead advocate for a new definition of health that prioritizes mental, physical, and spiri...

Professional counselor, artist & follower of Jesus, Brandi K. Harris delves into a thought-provoking conversation about the prevalent sex myths that Christians believe. Brandi shares her expertise and personal experiences, discussing the challenges faced by female Christians in navigating their sexuality. She highlights the damaging effects of purity culture and emphasizes the need for better teac...

In this episode of Confessions of a Crappy Christian, Blake speaks with Will and Courtney, the owners and creators of Crew + Co., a business that started with kids' t-shirts and expanded to include scripture cards and other products for families. They discuss their journey of creating their own products and the importance of simplicity and gratitude in their family. They also talk about their firs...

In this episode of the Speakeasy, we discuss a recent Supreme Court decision that directly impacts practicing Christians. The decision, in the case of 303 creative LLC versus Alainis, ruled that a Christian graphic designer in Colorado was not legally obligated to create wedding websites for same-sex couples. The First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech and religion was a key factor in th...

Author, mother and content creator Leslie Means joins Blake to discuss her journey and the origins of her brand which features heartfelt contributor stories on motherhood, marriage, faith and grief. Leslie explains how her passion for storytelling led her to start Her View From Home and the challenges she faced along the way, including a time when she almost shut it down. Despite the struggles, Le...

Author, Bible teacher and speaker Ines Franklin shares personal stories from her life and upbringing, highlighting her journey of faith and the challenges she faced. She discusses how the Christian life is not always perfect or without struggles, emphasizing the importance of faith and the understanding that God's presence is with us through the messy and uncertain times. Ines explores the concept...

In this heartfelt reflection, Blake shares her personal journey of walking with God and deepening her relationship with Him. She highlights the transformative power of understanding Scripture in a new light and how familiar verses can take on a profound meaning. Blake recounts a difficult business dealing where she experienced injustice and anger. However, through her connection with Jesus, she wa...

In this episode, Blake engages in an authentic conversation with Jodie about her writing career and her latest book, "Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage." Jodie shares how she unexpectedly entered the world of writing and discovered her passion for writing books about prayer. They discuss the importance of using scripture as a guide in prayer and how it can bring excitement and depth to one'...

If you're feeling the frustration and disappointment of tirelessly praying and seeking God's guidance during difficult times, yet still facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, then you are not alone. Meet Michelle Cushatt, a dynamic speaker, seasoned author, and engaging podcast host with a heart for helping others build their faith and resilience in the face of adversity. In this episode, Mic...

Meet Tasha Layton, a gifted singer and writer on a mission to share the life-changing power of Christianity with others. Her journey has taken her through various spiritual paths and in this episode, we discuss how she came to know the true power of Jesus that eventually led her back to her faith. Tasha's unique perspective and genuine heart for those who are searching make her a powerful voice in...

In recent weeks, there has been notable tension within the Christian conservative space following Target's 2023 Pride campaign, which many feel is unnecessarily aimed at children and has even partnered with a controversial Satanist graphic designer. The controversial campaign, which includes contentious items like tuck-friendly bathing suits for adolescents and questionable partnerships with organ...

Rhonda Stoppe, a seasoned mother, author, and speaker has dedicated her life to helping other moms navigate the complex world of parenting. In her book, she teaches practical insights and guidance for parenting as you guide your children towards their purpose and passion. Join us as we discuss authenticity, vulnerability, and seeking guidance from older, wiser women in motherhood. In this episode,...

Former US Federal law enforcement officer John Benjamin Jones shares his wealth of experience in both military and local law enforcement. Working in high-pressure professions can take a significant toll on individuals' mental health and John shares his own experiences with stress, emphasizing that the support of loved ones, such as his wife, has been instrumental in his well-being. Listen in as we...